Yo Dude, Los Angeles Wasn't Always About Surfing and Movie Stars: A Totally Rad Look Back at its Former Names
Los Angeles. The City of Angels. Tinseltown. Land of dreams (and overpriced avocado toast). But what if I told you LA wasn't always such a glamorous name? Buckle up, history buffs (and those who just enjoy a good chuckle), because we're about to take a trip down memory lane that's more lit than a Hollywood premiere.
From Humble Beginnings to...Humble-ish Beginnings?
So, what was LA rocking before it became synonymous with celebrity sightings and award shows? Well, the answer, like most things in life, is complicated. Here's where things get a tad fuzzy, because historians are like toddlers arguing over the last Cheerio – they can't quite agree.
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Team "Queen of the Angels": One group says the founding Spanish settlers went with the whole "religious reverence" vibe and named it "El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles," which translates to "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels." That's a mouthful, even for a city that would later become obsessed with supersized burritos.
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Team "Long Name, Don't Care": The other side claims the settlers were feeling extra wordy that day and opted for the even longer "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Porciúncula." This translates to "The Town of Our Lady of the Angels of Porciúncula," which sounds more like a tongue twister competition entry than a city name.
Hold on, Porciúncula? What's that doing there? Apparently, it refers to a small church in Italy where Saint Francis of Assisi had a vision. So, yeah, the founders were honoring the Virgin Mary while name-dropping a random Italian church. Not exactly what you'd expect when picturing the founding of LA, is it?
The Great Name Shortening: A Tale of Efficiency (or Laziness?)
Thankfully, whoever was in charge of city stationery eventually realized the impracticality of such lengthy titles. The name eventually morphed into the slightly less cumbersome "Los Angeles," which thankfully doesn't involve any visions or Italian basilicas.
So, there you have it! Los Angeles may be known for glitz and glamour now, but its origins are a quirky mix of religious devotion, geographical confusion, and a healthy dose of "let's just get this on a dang sign already."
Next time you're cruising down Hollywood Boulevard, take a moment to appreciate the city's past. Who knows, maybe with enough avocado toast and kale smoothies, LA will one day be renamed "The Totally Awesome Metropolis That Totally Rules." Hey, a dreamer can dream, right?
