Why is it Called Los Angeles? A Tale of Angels, Rivers, and a Whole Lotta Shortening
So, you’ve been wondering why the City of Angels is actually called Los Angeles, huh? Well, buckle up, because this is a tale as old as time... or at least as old as 1781.
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| Why Is It Called Los Angeles |
The Angels, the River, and the Very Long Name
Let’s start with the basics. "Los Angeles" is Spanish for "The Angels." So, you're probably thinking, "Great, now I know why it's called The City of Angels." But it's a bit more complicated than that.
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The full original name was actually El Pueblo de Nuestra Se�ora la Reina de los �ngeles del R�o Porci�ncula. That's right. A mouthful. It translates to "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the River Porci�ncula." Can you imagine trying to fit that on a postcard?
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The name comes from a river (the Porci�ncula, now known as the Los Angeles River) that was named after a chapel in Italy dedicated to the Virgin Mary. So, basically, a bunch of Spanish settlers were all, "This river reminds us of that really nice chapel back home with all the angels, let's name it after that." And then they decided to name their town after the river. Makes perfect sense, right?
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
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From a Mouthful to LA
Thankfully, people realized that saying "El Pueblo de Nuestra Se�ora la Reina de los �ngeles del R�o Porci�ncula" every time they wanted to talk about their city was a bit of a tongue twister. So, they shortened it to Los Angeles. It's like when your parents give you a ridiculously long middle name, and you just go by your initials.
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
Now, you might be wondering, "Why didn't they just call it Angel City or something simpler?" Well, that's a great question. Maybe they were trying to sound fancy, or maybe they just really loved the sound of their own voices. Who knows?
So, What's the Deal with the Angels?
You might be looking around LA and thinking, "Where are all these angels?" Well, unless you're counting the ones on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you might be out of luck. The truth is, the name is more about religious and historical significance than actual winged creatures. But hey, it’s a much more interesting story than if it was called "Van Nuys".
How to Los Angeles
- How to pronounce Los Angeles: It's "loss AHN-juh-less," not "loss AN-juh-less." Trust us, the locals will appreciate it.
- How to survive traffic: Patience, meditation, and a really good podcast are your best friends.
- How to find good tacos: Follow your nose (and maybe a local's recommendation).
- How to experience Hollywood: Lower your expectations.
- How to enjoy the beach: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a good book are essential.
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