Some travel for the adventure; the opportunity to discover new landscapes, meet new people, and embrace the great unknown. For every regular place name you’ve never heard of is a name you wouldn’t believe. Take a look at our collection of places around the world with funny names.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Talk about five minutes of fame. This spa town in New Mexico changed its name from Hot Springs to Truth or Consequences during the 1950s, after a popular radio show of the same name promised to air from whichever town renamed itself first.
Beer Bottle Crossing, Idaho
You’ve got to wonder how a place comes to be named something so specific. Then again, maybe it’s better if you don’t.
Cockermouth, Cumbria, England
Cockermouth? And you thought Cockfosters in London was funny…
Boring, Oregon
Not the best name this small town in Oregon could have given itself, but hopefully the locals have a great sense of humour. Boring is actually named after a civil war veteran, who lived to a ripe old age and was buried with his wife in the local cemetery.
Dull, Scotland
The only place more boring than Boring, Ore. might be Dull, Scotland. Needless to say, these two were made for each other, and were officially twinned in 2012.
Okay, Oklahoma
Not much better than Boring or Dull, the name of this place is a permanent stamp of mediocrity that just won’t wash off. That said the residents seem “Okay” with it.
Wagga Wagga, Australia
Wagga Wagga. So good they named it twice.
Poopoo, Hawaii
As paradisiacal as we’re sure this small Hawaiian island is, one can’t help but be wary of a place named Poopoo.
My Large Intestine, Texas
Obviously the U.S. have a knack for naming places, because here’s another zinger. Apparently, the very concept of a place named My Large Intestine is so crazy that all GPS Mapping Services have refused to acknowledge it thus far.
Westward Ho!, Devon, England
Basically, any name that requires an exclamation mark to express itself is dynamite as far as we’re concerned.
Backside, Scotland
Located between Dufftown and Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Backside is surprisingly beautiful. Too bad it has such an unfortunate name.
No Name, Colorado
It looks like this place could have used a little help – from anyone – when being established.
Feature © Joanna Poe/flickr
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
