Pennsylvania: From Penn's Woods to Quakertopia (and Almost New Wales)
Ah, Pennsylvania. Land of cheesesteaks, liberty bells, and ... well, some pretty peculiar beginnings in the name department. You might be surprised to learn that the "Pennsyl" in Pennsylvania wasn't always the plan. Buckle up, history buffs (and lovers of trivia that will impress your friends), because we're about to take a hilarious detour down memory lane.
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| What Was Pennsylvania Originally Called |
The Great Name Caper: From Sylvania to Self-Promotion (Almost)
Our story starts with William Penn, a Quaker dude with a dream of a colony built on religious tolerance. King Charles II of England owed Penn's pops a hefty chunk of change, so what better way to settle a debt than with a giant chunk of land across the pond?
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
Enter Sylvania, a name Penn proposed, meaning "woods" in Latin. Kinda fitting, right? But then King Charles, in a move that history buffs think might have been a bit of a power play, decided to add a "Penn" in there. Pennsylvania it was! Penn wasn't exactly thrilled. He worried folks might think he was naming the place after himself, a tad immodest for a Quaker.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
Fun Fact: There's a rumor Penn actually lobbied for "New Wales" at one point. Apparently, a Welsh member of the king's council nixed that idea. Maybe they just weren't feeling the whole "Land of the Red Dragon" vibe.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
So, What Were They Calling it Before Penn?
Now, hold on a second. We can't forget the original inhabitants! The Lenape people called the area Lenapehoking, which translates to "land of the Lenape."
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
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The Dutch also had a go at naming things. During a brief period of control, they established some counties with Dutch names. Thankfully, those didn't stick around.
The Takeaway: A Name Steeped in History (and Almost Cheese)
So, there you have it! Pennsylvania's name journey is a wild ride, from near-Welsh tributes to debates about self-promotion. It's a reminder that even the most familiar places have quirky pasts. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be chowing down on cheesesteaks in Penn's Woodsylvania!
How-To FAQs:
- How to impress your friends with Pennsylvania trivia? Whip out the "Sylvania" fun fact. Bonus points for mentioning the Dutch connection.
- How to pronounce Lenapehoking? It's leh-NAH-pay-hoh-KING.
- How to make a mean cheesesteak? That's a question for a whole different post, my friend.
- How to get to Pennsylvania? Hop on a plane, train, or car – just remember to pack your appetite!
- How to avoid accidentally naming your colony after yourself? Maybe consult a thesaurus before suggesting anything to the King of England.
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