Ken, your frustration over the town of Versailles (Ver-sails!) chimes with mine over the street names in a part of Port Elizabeth named Lorraine – the place was developed following the First World War, and the developers were asked to use names that recalled battlefields and other places associated with the Western Front.
Verdun Road is hardly ever pronounced the French way, while Longwy Avenue (where my daughter lives) has transformed into Longway Avenue.
My daughter talks of Mont-meedy Road, even though I have pointed out that it is Montmédy.
Lunéville Road, while rarely spelt with an accent on the E, is (surprisingly) usually pronounced correctly (although it sometimes comes out as Loon-ville).
A crime committed in Rennes Road last month had the police talking about Ren-ness.
I shudder to think what the residents make of Vosges Avenue, Arras and Versailles roads, Ardennes Drive, Le Havre Close or Besançon Road.
Lyon Crescent is, I am almost sure, known as Lion Crescent.
But leaving this assemblage of oddities aside, I am most grateful to those knowledgeable members for their helpful tips on Scottish placenames.
Regards,
Mike
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
[Proverbs 14:27]
Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle
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