The Origin of Place Names.  A Talk by Peter Watson

Not just a talk, an evening’s entertainment would best describe Peter’s presentation as he took us through Anglo Saxon and Old Norse words and their meanings.  With a broad Bacup accent, no fancy technology, just a NOBO board and some handouts, his audience was not just invited to join in, it was expected.

The evening concentrated on Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse words and how their derivations have led to many of the place names, in the North of England in particular.  Helpfully, Peter handed out slips of paper with translations of several words so that we could try to identify the origins of local placenames.

The Old Norse ‘sceaga’ translates as ‘shaw’, meaning woodland but if we used the English word we were berated and told to use the Old Norse!  ‘Bothe’ was a temporary shelter, Crawshawbooth was therefore ‘a temporary shelter in the crow woods’.   Interestingly, the Scots have ‘bothy’ also meaning temporary shelter.

Outside of our area, ‘slough’ as found in Pilgrim’s Progress when Christian arrives at the ‘slough of despond’ means muddy place.  It also appears to be the derivation of two of England’s most expensive villages; Upper and Lower Slaughter.  Not a very promising start!

An entertaining and informative evening which ended with requests to invite Peter to return with a new subject, possibly The Origin of Surnames.  Keep an eye on our website for news.