h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I hope you don't mind mind, but I have stolen your excellent footnote on the 'Schuylkill' and pasted into my Mason Dixon entry.

I have been pronouncing it as 'shy-kill' , at least in my own mind.

Reading by phonetics has its drawbacks, especially with foreign names


F S

I'm not sure that's my footnote. But I'm sure you're welcome to it.

Allegedly, it's 'skool-kill'. But the locals say 'skoo-kul'.

It isn't English or German or Lenape. Its, er, Dutch.

>It isn't English or German or Lenape. Its, er, Dutch.

That actually makes perfect sense, I have already mentioned the 'New Amsterdam' influence in Delaware, it only makes sense they would have explored and named places along the river.

Just out of curiosity, do know what the translation might be?

I have always thought the difference between German and Dutch (neither of which I have any real knowledge about) is similar to the relation of Spanish to Portuguese (both of which I only know well enough to be dangerous)

F S

It means 'hidden river'. A lot of rivers end in 'kill'.

On the other hand, my dad grew up near the Calfkiller River in Tennessee. I used to think it was because the river was treacherous to calves.

Turns out there was an Indian chief named Calfkiller. He and his people lived along the river, which was named in honour of him - he was a cool guy.