I walk in a different neighborhood today. Some of the streets have unusual, but pretty names — Shadyridge, Morningstar, Sunglow. Sometimes I think residents identify with the names of the streets they live on. Currently, I live on Vitruvian Way. It was named for the first Roman architect, Marco Vitruvius Pollio. He was also an author and engineer during the first century B.C. His discussion of perfect proportion in architecture and the human body led to the famous Renaissance drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of “Vitruvian Man.” He was also the one who, in 40 BCE, invented the idea that all buildings should have three attributes: strength, utility and beauty.
According to the article “The Funniest Street Names and Silliest Addresses From Around the World” at loveproperty.com, below are some unusual street names.
There's nothing better than driving along and spotting a funny road name. The UK has more than its fair share, thanks to historic towns and villages – and perhaps the famous British sense of humour. Elsewhere around the world, there are pronunciation mix-ups and places named after icons, which are all are sure to raise a smile.
This road in Greenwich, London is sure to tickle your fancy. The story behind the street name is sadly not as funny as you'd think, a Ha-Ha is just another word for a sunken ditch. Although it's still unclear whether “Ha-ha” is from the person exclaiming as they fall or from those watching someone fall over.
A road with a bit of a scary name and located in Yorkshire, UK, in a town called Hook. Can’t help but wonder what may have happened on this street for it to get this name. Perhaps it was named after Mad Dogs & Englishmen, the 1970 album by Joe Cocker.
Smellies Lane is one of several Scottish streets to make the cut, which you can find in the picturesque coastal city of Dundee. Rest assured, there's nothing to indicate the odor lives up to its name.
The U.S. definitely has its fair share of ridiculous and hilarious street names. This gem can be found in Columbia County of Benton, Pennsylvania. Imagine giving this as your address!
Chicken Dinner Road is located in rural canyon country in Idaho, USA. Earlier this year, the road name sparked criticism from animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA. It has protested to get the street name changed, branding it “distasteful."
Located in York, England, this is one street where its name is actually longer than the road. This song-sounding street is one of the smallest in the historic city, which has a plethora of silly names. In 1505 it was known as Whitnourwhatnourgate, which translates to “What a street!”
Fans of David Hasselhof’s popular 80s crime-fighting TV show will rejoice at this funny street located in central London, right by St. Paul’s Cathedral. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the street actually used to be a lot longer and was used by knights on their way to jousting tournaments. A street in the city of Kent also shares this unforgettable moniker.
This street was named by a true Belieber. When 11-year-old Caroline Gonzalez won a competition to be mayor of her town for the day, she chose to use her power for— er — good, and renamed one of the streets after her favorite pop star.
Fanny Hands Lane, in Ludford, Lincolnshire, was named Britain's third rudest street in 2014 and some claim it's affecting property prices. The story behind the name is rather sweet, and one example of how changing language has caused unintended amusement. It was named in the 19th century by John Hands, after his wife Frances — Fanny — Hands. Nothing rude about that, eh?
Squeeze Guts Alley in Truro, Cornwall, runs between Duke Street and St Mary's Street, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. If you're of a wider girth, you'll have to squeeze your belly in to fit through the passage, which acts as a shortcut to the market area. It's seen on a map from 1842, but unnamed, and it's thought it was commonly known by this nickname – which eventually became official, and the passage even got its own sign. It's now something of a tourist attraction.
Embodying the ethos of California, this road name is guaranteed to make you smile as you pass – and perhaps encourage you to forget some of your troubles for a few minutes.
Ugley in Essex is actually pronounced “Yews-ley” with a soft “g.” Well, that’s what the locals say anyway. But thanks to the confusion, the Ugley Women’s Institute did change its name to the Women’s Institute of Ugley.
Dull in Scotland! It's actually anything but, with beautiful scenery and lovely locals, who clearly have a good sense of humor.
Nothing to see here, move on! At least the residents of Boring, Oregon, have a sense of humor though, seeking out another boring place to twin with.
Another example of language changing. This lane is thought to be named after a mute woman who dealt in traditional medicine and herbs in the area. Or there's a more gruesome idea, that it was named after a woman who stumbled upon smugglers and had her tongue cut out to keep her dumb — in the original sense of the word.
This could be a specific link to a market or pub historically on this site near Canary Wharf in London, whose speciality was this cut of meat. Or, mutton was an old slang term for sex workers, so it could have been called this for quite a different reason, lost in time.
This isn’t the most camp street in London, but the houses on this lane were once owned by the nuns of the church St. Helen’s Bishopsgate. The medieval name for nun was mynchen, from which mincing derives.
Just outside the square mile in London is one for the chefs, Frying Pan Alley. Charles Dickens had an office in the yard in 1831, and it takes its name from a shop sign — common with ironmongers and braziers, and also used for taverns.
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