Why are people from __ called ___?

[arthurk]

My home town is Portishead, Somerset - locally called "Posset".

So, people from there are Possetonians!

I have never found an explanation as to why the town is called Possett?

Is it just the way it's pronounced with the elision of the least stressed syllable and probably more than a hint of the local accent?

Arthur

[KGarrad]

My home town is Portishead, Somerset - locally called "Posset".

So, people from there are Possetonians!

I have never found an explanation as to why the town is called Possett?

Is it just the way it's pronounced with the elision of the least stressed syllable and probably more than a hint of the local accent?

Arthur

No it's not actually!
We have a Zummerzet accent (most of the Wurzels live locally!), so we would emphasise the 'R'
And pronunciation proabably nearer Portzed!

[arthurk]

And pronunciation proabably nearer Portzed!

Fair enough - but because it's relatively similar, I still wonder if it might have its roots in some ancient and now superseded pronunciation.

Cirencester, I believe, used to be generally pronounced "Sisister" but these days the pronunciation is more or less what you'd expect from the spelling.

Arthur

[Leodensian]

Hello all

I'm doing some work on British demonyms, i.e. why people from certain places are called what they're called (Geordies from Newcastle etc.), and thought this may be a good place to do some finding out, ideally about the more obscure ones. What demonyms have you heard, or which do you know about? Are natives of the town or city you're from given a nickname, and what does it (allegedly) mean?

Although I've probably already collected the more obvious, well-documents, names, such as those in the title, feel free to include them ... You may add some more information! At the moment I'm restricting to England, Scotland and Wales.

Any contributions or insights gratefully received. Look forward to your input!

 Jill

[Beeonthebay]

Hello all

I'm doing some work on British demonyms, i.e. why people from certain places are called what they're called (Geordies from Newcastle etc.), and thought this may be a good place to do some finding out, ideally about the more obscure ones. What demonyms have you heard, or which do you know about? Are natives of the town or city you're from given a nickname, and what does it (allegedly) mean?

Although I've probably already collected the more obvious, well-documents, names, such as those in the title, feel free to include them ... You may add some more information! At the moment I'm restricting to England, Scotland and Wales.

Any contributions or insights gratefully received. Look forward to your input!

 Jill

Well you probably know Scousers are named after Lobscouse a stew supposedly introduced to the port city by Scandinavian seafarers.

[KGarrad]

Previous RC thread?

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=662777.

[Leodensian]

Oh. Yes. Apologies - I had forgotten about this. I've returned to the research. Is it OK to start a new thread?!

[aghadowey]

Not a good idea to start another thread on the same topic. Just click on 'report to moderator' and ask for the 2 to be merged together if possible. That way all replies will be in the one place.




Topics merged.

[ScouseBoy]

Some people are very offended  to be  called  some of these names.

Some names now are used as a term of abuse.      Really, this  thread should bear that in mind.