Places / Streets etc that sound nothing like they are spelled

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Mon 04 Jun, 2012 11:15 am

Caron wrote: Leodian wrote: I wonder what is the correction pronunciation of Penistone? hahaha Perhaps someone in a North Lincolnshire steelworks town could enlighten you?

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Mon 04 Jun, 2012 11:55 am

Shrewsbury is pronounced Shrowsbury,by a lot of folk, so now whenever I see a Shrew I call it a Shrow.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Mon 04 Jun, 2012 12:34 pm

Salop for Shropshire always baffled me......as did Cobham-pronounced Chobham ??????

Si · Post by Si » Tue 05 Jun, 2012 5:50 pm

somme1916 wrote: Salop for Shropshire always baffled me......as did Cobham-pronounced Chobham ?????? And HanTs for HamPshire.

Si · Post by Si » Tue 05 Jun, 2012 5:51 pm

Chrism wrote: Shrewsbury is pronounced Shrowsbury,by a lot of folk, so now whenever I see a Shrew I call it a Shrow. At one time, show (as in to show someone something) could be spelt either SHOW or SHEW.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Tue 05 Jun, 2012 6:02 pm

Si wrote: Chrism wrote: Shrewsbury is pronounced Shrowsbury,by a lot of folk, so now whenever I see a Shrew I call it a Shrow. At one time, show (as in to show someone something) could be spelt either SHOW or SHEW. I seem to remember watching a TV programme last year where this came up (possibly Rivers with Griff Rhys Jones?) and it seems that there is a Welsh and an English pronunciation with the town being so close to the border. So technically either (Shrow or Shrew) is correct, but for partisan reasons the locals only use one version. Before you ask I can't remember which is which...On a related note if you ever go to Chester and look at the Town Hall, you will notice that the clock tower doesn't have a clock on the side facing Wales, as the burghers of the town saw no need to spend their money telling the Welsh the time when the tower was erected. Mind you, they also have a bylaw allowing " that a Welsh person found within the city walls after sunset can be shot with a crossbow"!

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 05 Jun, 2012 6:04 pm

somme1916 wrote: Salop for Shropshire always baffled me? Me too, never got that until a mate moved there (then I wished I hadn't asked)...here goes:-Old English "Scrobbesbyrigscir" = "the shire with Shrewsbury at its head"But after 1066 the Normans struggled with this, so softening it to "Salopesberia" and "Salopescira".Salop is the abbreviation of these.1974 to 1980 Salop was its official administrative name, but it was then changed back to "Shropshire".Clear? Me neither.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Wed 06 Jun, 2012 12:11 am

Jogon wrote: somme1916 wrote: Salop for Shropshire always baffled me? Me too, never got that until a mate moved there (then I wished I hadn't asked)...here goes:-Old English "Scrobbesbyrigscir" = "the shire with Shrewsbury at its head"But after 1066 the Normans struggled with this, so softening it to "Salopesberia" and "Salopescira".Salop is the abbreviation of these.1974 to 1980 Salop was its official administrative name, but it was then changed back to "Shropshire".Clear? Me neither. Err no,but it sounds plausible.I'd believe it !

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Wed 06 Jun, 2012 2:20 am

Wow this must be the longest a thread of mine has developed! And its still going so it seems! I only just came back on here for a quick look before I went to bed, and at 6 pages long I really shouldnt stay up trying to read it all through, I'll leave it for another day - keep 'em coming folks!

Patexpat · Post by **Patexpat** » Wed 06 Jun, 2012 10:46 am

well as some of these place names are a little far removed from Leeds let me chuck in one local to me ... and that is the island of Phuket. Since tourism arrived it's pronounced politely as poo-ket ... but historically the correct pronunciation is indeed f....