"Ponderosa, Quarter Cheese Cottage, Beef Hall"...House names are fun and instructive, revealing history, taste, and origins. This surprising little book probes the myths, motives, and memories that lead ordinary people to give extraordinary names to their homes.
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From the Publisher:
House names have a long history, certainly dating back to Babylon and Rome, but today they are a neglected source of social history--and amusement. Mysterious appellations like "Small Drink Cottage" or "Virgins Living" indicate ancient uses, while literature has contributed such memorable abodes as "Ivanhoe, Green Gables," and "Copperfield." The Victorians opted for stately romanticism, carving "The Elms" or "Prospect Villa" into their lintels; recent years, however, have brought smarter plaques and fewer inhibitions, as retired farmers return home to "Dunmilkin" and doctors to "Bedside Manor." Names have even started to comment on each other: in numbered streets, 2B's neighbor is now quite likely to be "Ornot." Although the book focuses primarily on the towns and villages of Britain, there are also samplings from other parts of the world. Full of wit, lore, and excellent drawings, "Owl's Hoot" is an unexpected treat.
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- PublisherJohn Murray Pubs Ltd
- Publication date2000
- ISBN 10 0719562201
- ISBN 13 9780719562204
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages132