Hundreds of communities were resettled by the government, mostly in the mid-1900s. to Stoner B.C., there's no shortage of hilarious town names in Canada the kind that make tourists screech to a halt for a photo opp with the town's "Welcome To" sign. In spite of its innocent origin, the name can still elicit a giggle or a gasp from someone hearing of the place for the first time. Hairyman. Makes it feel like a very large percentage of our town names are totally ridiculous, because, honestly, this list just begins to scratch the surface. Originally a fishing and shipping town, its now home to the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, the Gros Morne Fall Fest, and many more attractions. This town owes its name to the founders of its mill, Mr. Yount and Mr. Bounton, who combined the first halves of their respective surnames to make Youbou in 1914. Its now a campground surrounded by lakes and a popular destination for canoe trips. Leading Tickles This tower of blueberried goodness takes its namesake fruit very seriously. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Many people believe that this is due in part to the explorer Captain James Cook, and his odd sense of humor. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Wales. Thats the reference that a Canadian Pacific Railway surveyor intended when he named the town back in the early 1900s. Quidi Vidi is a quaint little fishing village located less than a five minute drive from downtown St. John's. Located in southwestern Saskatchewan, near the US border, the village has a population of about 200. The vernacular of Newfoundlanders is rich in unusual words, sayings, and expressions, so much so that many people believe the province has a language all its own. 5. Afterward, you can spend the night in one of the restored homes where homemade quilts still cover the beds. Yes, the colours said Newfoundland, but the womans Mona Lisa smile screamed cheeky, which is exactly what I wanted to convey. Suffice it to say, Flin Flon remains the only city in Canada to be named after a science fiction character. Bollard Town: C : PSM : Bolster Cove: C : STB : Bona: C : PSM : Bonalds Island: B: Vac . It is easy to imagine in a place so heavily settled by the Irish that there could be a community filled with red haired, pale skinned, freckled faced inhabitants for which the place got its name. That might sound like a riddle, but the three scenic towns are indeed huddled together, taking their name from the heart-shaped harbour they share. Cow Head is a small community, population 475, on Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula. The first coffee house appeared in 1685 and quickly gained popularity, thus beginning a long-standing cultural tradition. Village on Fogo Island. Newfoundland Place Names That Will Make You Blush, Our Favourite Nova Scotia Beach: Cleveland Beach, The Imps Motorcycle Display Team from London, England The Stars of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (Family Fun Halifax). Well now you do! Seaman. If you've ever wondered what a crunchy oyster tastes like, the wild-growing oyster leaf in Newfoundland will satisfy your curiousity (photo: Nikki Bayley). Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Plan accordingly and stay safe! Check out 10 national parks every Canadian should visit. Every August, Brigus welcomes thousands of people to the communitys annual blueberry festival. These great day trips from Edmonton are worth adding to your itinerary. Tickle Cove. According to Geographic Names of Saskatchewan, the village is named after Climax, Minnesota, which was the hometown of an early homesteader. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. The story goes that following the captains death his wife packed up the family and returned to their home in Dorsetshire, hence the name change, and the innocent but amusing double entendre. Puck - Refers to Canada's love for their national sport, hockey. Michael Crummey (Goodreads Author) (shelved 31 times as newfoundland) avg rating 3.74 5,324 ratings published 2009. And if a Newfoundlander slaps you on the shoulder and says hello, me ol cock! One of the funniest parts about Newfoundland is her place names: cheerful monikers originating from English and Irish seafaring terms, back when dildoewas the part of a rowboat also known as a thole pin, andtickle was a thin inlet of water. New Brunswick is rife with town names originating from Indigenous languages, making their maps endlessly interesting. St. John's. With a population of 108,860, St. John's is the most populous city in Newfoundland and Labrador. Happy Adventure Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Tea is my ritual, my companion, my main source of caffeine; for some reason, though my body has opted to reject coffee, it has fully embraced the concept of gnarly-looking fermented leaves soaked in water. Or spell. Comments, especially heartfelt ones, are internet goldand the hallmark of true audience engagement. Did I get people talking? Tait brothers Andy, left, and Magnus, right, completed what they call a 'rude trip' tour of the United Kingdom's most rudely-named towns. Celebrate with wine and the friends who cheered you on as you wrote your proposal. The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador is composed of mainland Labrador and the large island of Newfoundland. This slightly awkward but apt name comes from the fact that the lake has two narrows, and the point where they meet resembles the crotch of a stick. Today, archaeologists are at work to uncover the housing foundations and cobblestone streets from the 17th century its like a village emerging within a village! [2] Postville is the smallest Inuit community government by population in the province with 188 residents, while Hopedale is the smallest by land area with 2.18km2 (0.84sqmi). Did you know there are only 973 official towns in Canada? 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Before driving at night, ask locals about the risk of moose on the roads. From Dildo, N.L. is sort of a friendly explicative which means No way, really? "From Dildo to Dead Man's Pond: the Stories behind Newfoundland Place Names." Sue Bailey, Canadian Press, February 25, 2015. All rights reserved. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, Next, discover 10 bucket list experiences on, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), By Rosie Long Decter, readersdigest.ca (with files from Marissa Miller). What do you find between Hearts Delight and Hearts Content? This community was christened after everyones favourite military acronymSituation Normal: All Fouled Upby the U.S. military while they were building the Alaska highway. This cliff that is a UNESCO heritage site and home to a museum of Blackfoot culture. Nearby is a recreated Viking port of trade, Norstead. Tilting Really enjoy these moments with them, because you're not going to see them for a long time; it's just going to be you, your writing partner, and that guy with the glasses who always gets the good corner seat at the coffee shop. Today, the community is home to 100 residents and the Utopia Conservation Area, 50 acres of land where the towns century-old gristmill can be found. All that really matters is that people from Dildo are known as Dildonians. For more little-known landscaping trivia, check out this roundup of fascinating Canadian geography facts. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Like the other 20 plus localities in the Province also named Blow Me Down, the exact origin of the name is unknown. Too good to be true? Founded in 1905 in preparation for the arrival of the railroad, Bawlf was named after Nicholas Bawlf, president of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange. E&E is a tiny shop in the corner of a large parking lot, which is usually packed beyond capacity throughout the summer months. See the table below for reference. Our own hearts nearly exploded as each sign appeared. We've got the complete list to gawk over. One of our readers, Jason, wrote: "There is a town in BC that couldn't decide if it wanted a laid back name or an aggressive name, so the townsfolk compromised:Chilliwack". May 14, 2022 8:32 PM EDT. Hearts Content Happy Valley Here are 10 historical landmarks every Canadian needs to visit. Ah, thank you Ball brothers, for your giving your seemingly innocuous name to these two waterfalls. Another says that it is derived from the Latin que de vide, which means "that which divides". Newfoundland and Labrador is the ninth-most populous province in Canada, with 510,550 residents recorded in the 2021 Canadian Census, and is the seventh-largest in land area, with 358,170km2 (138,290sqmi). Here are more of Canadas most romantic getaways. 1) When you get your book deal in March, cry a little. Funny Pennsylvania Town Names. It is believed that the cylindrical object in this case referred to the pin on a rowboat used to attach the oar, also known as the thole pin. Her bylines include USA Today, Canadian Traveller, Ontario Tourism, The Globe and Mail, and more. Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site. Believe it or not, there was a time when St. Marys was even cuter than it is today. The (apparently ravenous) residents were only too eager to help the swimming swine to shoreand into their frying pans. It actually refers to the town of the same name in Scotland. Puck-chases - Another allusion to Canadian love of hockey. A small community within the village of Norton, New Brunswick, Peekaboo Corner owes its name to a poorly-placed house that stood on the corner, blocking the vision of passing drivers. These days, Vulcan has fully embraced its inevitable sci-fi connection, boasting a replica of the starship Enterprise and a bust of Spock himself. [4] These acts grant the power to enact local bylaws and the responsibility to provide local government services. Brigus was established in 1612 by English, Welsh, and Irish Settlers, and the name comes from 'Brickhouse,' an old town in England; it's charming to note how the Newfoundland accent took ownership of the original name. Our respective abilities to comprehend English and Sinhalese didnt matter much, because thats the thing about learning to cook - ultimately, you just have to be capable of watching attentively, and eating. Its name actually comes from the reddish colour of its northern headlands. Here are their top picks. Find out the best places for stargazing across Canada. These early Viking visitors beat Columbus by about 500 years. Bell Island. Locals also love E and E Drive In, which is beloved for its milkshakes. It truly gets more and more awesome with every bite. Wed been told their fish and chips are hefty, and upon seeing this sign. Originally established as a base for the European fishery, Newfoundland grew up around the fishing industry, which has resulted in a large number of small coastal fishing communities. The name of this town has apparently changed spelling seven times, likely in an attempt to anglicize the Indigenous word which refers to a raised or jutting out place for portaging in the Mauricie area. This seems unlikely, however, as it would be very unusual to name a place based on something that isn't there, as is implied by the name Witless Bay. There are just over 100 people who call Bacon Cove home, and it seems there are as many origin stories for how this small fishing community got its name. In the nearby community of Port Rexton, youll find the Skerwink Trail, which was named one of the top 25 walks in North America and Europe by Travel + Leisure magazine. Lindsay here! Climax, SK. exclusive rewards every day. As the name implies, it specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches. [2], Newfoundland and Labrador has three cities that had a total population of 152,335 in the 2021 Canadian Census. Originally dubbed Cape Pointe by the famous French explorer Jacques Cartier, it was later named Tete de Vache, which means head of a cow because of a large rock on the shoreline that, when viewed from the sea, looks like the head of a cow. One theory suggests that it comes from the popular French surname Quidville. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Check out 25 essential experiences on Vancouver Island. Perhaps someone used this island to get on the wagon back in the day. Seeking dessert, we continued on to Brigus, and arrived at the Country Corner. But then you straighten your spine: "This is the name of my home town. Their home sat next to a flooded rice paddie, and their two shy, beautiful daughters welcomed me by placing a green betel leaf in my palm, a symbol of friendship and respect. They are an extension of the living room, a place where people can spend hours reading, writing, meeting, or working. The city is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula and is North America's easternmost city. I'm kind of terrified to see them, since I was sweaty and inarticulate the entire time, but I promise to share them nonetheless. The unforgettable community is small but still going strong: as of 2016 the population numbered 55a 57 per cent increase from 2011! Bonavista is a beautiful little town on the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula and was once the commercial and economic hub of Newfoundland. Though it is truly the superior condiment, the town was not nmaed after mayonnaise. but for its relatively small population, the Rock way over-indexes on giggle-worthy town names. [2] Little Bay Islands is its smallest municipality by population, and Brent's Cove is the smallest municipality by land area. Tilting, Fogo Island/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador. This name, despite its connotations, has nothing at all to do with any type of sexual device. We ate in silence, our cheeks still blushy from the wind, content to once again be consuming our beloved toutons. Categories: Canada, Featured, Newfoundland Tags: National Historic Site, Naval History. Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, and is one of the four Atlantic provinces. A visit through rural Newfoundland is . These Small Towns in France Are Straight Out of a Storybook, 13 Best Cape Cod Hotels, From Falmouth to Provincetown, The Most Beautiful Places in Portugal, From Douro Valley Vineyards to the Islets of the Azores, Exploring France's Enchanting Villages With My Father on a Seine River Cruise, In Northern Canada's Desolation Sound, Salmon Is Everything, 14 Best Airbnbs in Boston, From a Beacon Hill Townhouse to a Charlestown House Boat. The funny Canadian town name traces its origins to an early resident who was just very pleased to be there. You do not have to be Catholic, or believe in the purported healing powers of Father Duffy's Well, to appreciate the story of this Catholic priest and his little roadside spring. Either way, if youre driving north on Highway 97 to Prince George, keep your eye out for this quiet community and its infamous town sign. Also known as the "Hub of the North," Hay River does not actually have a river made of hay, so hold your horses. Maybe a lot. The name comes from the tactic Indigenous tribes would use to fool buffalo into running off a cliff. Remarkably, LAnse aux Meadows really does have a village feel to it. I was now in tea. Because your town is no laughing matter. Glorious! Ad Choices. ), Spuzzum (made famous in the '80s when "Six Cylinder" in a song with the refrain "If you haven't been to Spuzzum, you ain't been anywhere"). This artistic achievement was built by Frank Mullet as a faithful tribute to his childhood village of Oderin. As we pulled in, green mountains dominated the view, and a sign on the outskirts of town welcomed us to The Cool Climes of Bandarawela (I, for one, continued to sweat). and you can only visit between June and September. Blow Me Down can boast high winds, but this is the wettest place in Canada. [3] Inuit community governments were created in accordance with the 2005 Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act. You can read a review of it and Trinitys long list of eateries here. Come by Chance Well, first of all, lets talk about the comments. Tools. No word on the sweater of choice for its residents, but this former shipbuilding town is now home to Canadas smallest lending library. Best Newfoundland Dog Names. Its easy to analyze traffic using analytics and numbers, but Google Analytics cant tell you that Goldie Parsons, who comments from Toronto, is originally from Glovertown, Newfoundland, or thatLynn Rowsell used to know a fishing spot called Old Maams Crack. Some believe that the name comes from the three "arms" that constitute Trinity's harbour. But the truth is that its 100 percent Newfoundland. If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then as a travel writer, I have done my job! These are just a few of the many interesting and colourful place names of Newfoundland. Whereas many of the articles on this site areshared via social media anywhere from 30 to 300 times, this one broke the internet, with 3.3 thousand Facebook shares (plus more on Twitter), and so many fun comments from peopleall over Canada. Hey! Like Brigus, the town has a gorgeous harbour, full of beautiful boats with hand-painted signs. If you cant make it to the blueberry festival, the Country Corner restaurant and gift shop serves up legendary blueberry crisp (seriously, do not wear a white shirt while eating it). The name supposedly comes from a sailor who saw a large rock from the sea and thought it resembled, well A cows head. It was named after the spring peeper frog, renowned for its loud chirpcrapaud, after all, is French for toad. Below is a list of Newfoundland place names that will make you blush: Black Tickle. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Many of these communities have unusual names as interesting and as colourful as the people who live there and the places themselves. There are at least two potential origins for this striking name. So many of them have an interesting settler story or otherwise originate in local Indigenous languages. These cliches are overused, but in Newfoundland, I argue that they arent used enough. Explore more hidden gems of British Columbia. Here are 10 Canadian hotels that have hosted royal guests. Looking past the funny name, with an old church parish dating back to the middle ages, this little town is must visit. Preston-Muddock, which featured a protagonist by the name of Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin. (Submitted by Andy Tait) It sounds like a delightful trip . Nobody knows for sure where this picturesque Southern Shore community got its name, but there are a number of theories. Saint-Louis-du-Ha! The town and the song are both in homage to Mushaboom Harbour. Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, the word "dildo" referred to any cylindrical object. But to the modern ear, some of the towns and inlets of in Newfoundland and Labrador sound downright dirty! This seems very unlikely however, as the town appears on early Portuguese maps as Bay de St. Cyria. Another townname that is a lot less weird once translated. The name was particularly fitting given that the community was established so that CPR trains could stop for water near the Moose Jaw river. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. The name was changed to Mayo in 1954, inspired not by the condiment, but the county of Mayo in Northern Ireland. After leaving Passau, we sailed into Austria and made our way to the Wachau Valley, an area renowned for apricots and grapes. Read the fascinating story of how the Yellowhead Highway helped unite western Canada. Some of them have really interesting histories! Its been called Jerrys Nose ever sincewithout the apostrophe, for reasons unknown. . You're not from some unforgettable Smallville. Will they snort or crack a joke you've heard a thousand times? TL;DR The Canadian sense of humour is alive and well if these town names are any indication though not all of them are necessarily trying to be funny and the origins of some are downright fascinating. Incorporated towns and cities are incorporated municipalities and can be found on List of municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador. On a recent trip to the island, I found myself stopping often to snap photos of "Welcome To" signs for towns with names like Tilting, Heart's Desire, and Come by Chance. Which came first: Stoner or Stone Creek? Dildo, and Other Colourful Place Names of Newfoundland. In this article we explore 13 out of the literally thousands of amazing things to do in Canadaone amazing thing for each province and territory. The province consists of the island of Newfoundland, as well as Labrador, which is located on the mainland bordering Quebec. We ordered the fish and chips and werent disappointed. Climbers who have been to the top will tell you there's no mystery in the name, as the winds are . Newfoundlands got that covered too! Hopefully the name delivered a cautionary message to future motorists. This list celebrates towns and cities with names worth a second look, a smile, and a smirk. Saskatchewan is cheeky too! Kimmel loved the name of the town so much, he became the honourary Mayor of Dildo. The text was brief (Buzzfeed-style) and the photos, provided by Newfoundland and Labrador Tourismwere stunning. Seary, has put forth two theories. Dont miss these other quirky roadside attractions across the country. Today, its a tight-knit village with a population of 422 people. Just inside the east gate of Bowring Park, in the west end of St. John's, NL, stands the Peter Pan monument. No place name in Newfoundland has raised more eyebrows or been the topic of more speculation and conversation than that of the town of Dildo. Eugene Smith, who left his home of Ireland for Barrie, Ontario, in 1830, named this hamlet after Thomas Moores classic novel, Utopia. Newfoundland and Labrador has 278 municipalities, including 3 cities, 270 towns, and 5 Inuit community governments, which cover only 2.3% of the province's land mass but are home to 90% . When a country is mentioned, I usually first think of its landscapes. The origins are from the word, "tluu7uus," in Nitinaht, which means "camping place.". These acts give them the power to enact local bylaws and the responsibility to provide local government services. Dont miss this photographic tour of the western provinces of Canada. Explore Canadas most haunted placesif you dare! Our epic, 7-hour train journey from Kandy to Bandarawela took us high into the mountains. He had been to Newfoundland before and had surveyed the Carbonear and Harbour Grace areas of Conception Bay, as well as St. John's Harbour, Bay Bulls, and Placentia. Want the royal treatment on your next vacation? Required fields are marked *. Now its nearly been swallowed by the forest that surrounds it. Secondly, locals tell of a fisherman named Jerry who, while carrying his boat over the coast, was caught by a gust of wind and blown down a hill, busting up his nose in the process. They are an extension of the living room, a place where people can spend hours reading, writing, meeting, or working. Boatswain. She describes the island as vigorous, calling Newfoundlanders a very funny people with their own traditional music and Newfoundland vocabulary. Today, the station has been transformed into a bed and breakfast: trains may not be passing through any more, but its still a perfect stopover for tourists en route to the Rocky Mountains. His ambitions perished along with him onboard the Titanic, but 500 people continue to live happily in the hamlet of Mirror today. Just kidding, this one's named after the southwest arm of the Shuswap Lake. [citation needed] Today it has fewer than 700. So proud, in fact, its residentsRadvilliteseven refer to themselves as diehard flatlanders. This devotion dates back to the early days of the settlement, when one of the first acts of the towns founders was to have the pesky hill on Main Street levelled off. But it isn't just Dildo with a unique name that draws tourists. By, ducky, me son, andmloveare terms you will hear all the time, tacked on to the end of most sentences, as terms of endearment. [5][6][7], The Municipalities Act, 1999 is the legislation enabling the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to incorporate, amalgamate, and disorganize towns in Newfoundland and Labrador upon recommendation by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment. There's also . One idea suggests that it was named for the motion of the sea. Finding the Right Name for Your Newfoundland Dog. (Also bears the distinction of being the only town in the world with two exclamation points in its name. A few weeks ago, I boarded a tiny but powerful Harbour Air seaplane, and watched as the stunning view of Coastal BC passed below me. This just sounds like one of those very practical town names. North Mexican - A term from Americans that conflate Canadians with Mexicans, because it borders the US to the north. Since we already felt sufficiently stuffed with seafood, we decided to stick with dessert. Check out the best bird-watching spot in every province. After meeting up and hitting the road with my World Nomads' Passport and Plate crew, we finally arrived in Kandy, a city with Bogambara Lake at its centre. Of all the possible names, who on earth thought it was a good idea to name a place with such an out of control long name! Here are 10 caves in Canada that are worth exploring. Hearts Delight Howley believed that the place was named for the northern wild raisin known as the Wittle. This Saskatchewan village was settled by Christ Fugelstad, an immigrant from Climax, Minnesota, who was apparently either terribly homesick or terribly unimaginative. It will most likely never be know for certain whether or not this story has any validity but it is fun to consider. Originally called Passage Harbour, the area was later referred to (in a 1706 dispatch by a Major Lloyd concerning a battle between the English and French) as Comby Chance. Aptly named for the massive asbestos mine that used to be in business in the town. Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's tenth, and most easterly, province. The town wasactually named after settler and acrobat, Alfred Mayo. 2023 Cond Nast. This railway community was initially going to be called Heda, but once the train station was built, early residents ended up calling it Entrancelikely because it sat at the entrance to the Jasper Forest Reserve. Her blog, TurnipseedTravel, focuses on cozy, affordable travel adventures and was named one of the 100 most influential travel blogs in the world by the White House in 2014. Just how good is the hiking in and around Trinity? Blow Me Down is a small fishing community located on the tip of the Port de Grave Peninsula. The lake was constructed by King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha in the 19th century, with a square island that apparently used to be the kings private bathing facility, and was connected to the palace by a secret tunnel. But today, its attracting visitors and archeologists from around the world. Nineteenth-century settlers James Leigh and John Jennings named Pontypool after a town in their homeland of Wales. Pack your stretchy pants! Conception Bay The bilingual 1,500-person town was settled mostly by homesteaders from Quebec and is now renowned for its public murals. The berg got its nickname . This funny Canadian town name was inspired by The Daily Mirror, a London-based tabloid. As previously mentioned these are but a few of the many colourful, interesting, and often amusing place names, both past and present, of Newfoundland communities. Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's tenth, and most easterly, province. Its also home to one of Canadas best drive-in theatres! The original meaning apparently is the pivot point on a boat where the oars are anchored (source: Wikipedia). When I sat down to finish it, I had another, and a third will keep me company as I edit the photos. Some say it comes from a French word for the islandile deauor a Spanish word for the bottom of a boat. This funny Canadian town name only has dark undertones if youre assuming it has English roots. Not sure if you already know, but Happy Adventure was the flagship of the most prosperous pirate of all-time, Peter Easton. Blow Me Down/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism. Others believe the name comes from a Nakoda man who was hunting beaver in the area and pretended to be dead to avoid getting caught. "Pokemouche" comes from the Mi'qmak word, "Pokomjpetk," which essentially translates to "saltwater place where there is an abundance of fish." Perhaps the stereotype is true.. Newfoundlanders just LOVE to talk! There are many ways to go about choosing a name - their build, adorable faces, or silly little quirks. Dont miss this roundup of the most Canadian headlines of all time. Frogmore - Ontario, Dorking - Ontario, Bastard - Ontario. We all know that sex sells even on a family travel site! Let us know your favourites!