According to wikipedia: The name “Kennewick” is believed to be a native word meaning “grassy place.”
Most of the odd sounding place names in Washington come from native words, usually either Shoshone or Yakama (strangely, the city is Yakima, rather than Yakama).
I was the chief of my son’s YMCA Guides tribe many years ago. All the other tribes took common names - Cherokee, Navajo, etc - We were the mighty Nooksack tribe. Everyone thought it was damn funny, especially the kids!
As a programmer, I’ve always put Enumclaw on my short list. Sequim and Puyallup are also great as shibboleths.
Humptulips for the win!
Vancouver, Not BC
Clark County, Not NV
Washington, Not DC
Near Portland, OR, Not Maine!
@ciabelle Someday, I will have to visit Portland, ME just so I can say I’ve been to all the wrong places on that list…
I’ve been to Puyallup. It’s actually not as weird as it sounds.
I’m vaguely surprised this one hasn’t shown up.
Kennewick
According to wikipedia: The name “Kennewick” is believed to be a native word meaning “grassy place.”
Most of the odd sounding place names in Washington come from native words, usually either Shoshone or Yakama (strangely, the city is Yakima, rather than Yakama).
Too many to choose from! Skookumchuck or Horlick should be up there.
Tukwila.
I was the chief of my son’s YMCA Guides tribe many years ago. All the other tribes took common names - Cherokee, Navajo, etc - We were the mighty Nooksack tribe. Everyone thought it was damn funny, especially the kids!