Did I just imagine it or did someone once publish a paper about
possible instances of irony in Anglo-Saxon place-names? A quick
Google fails to find any online citations and I do not have easy
access to an academic library. Any bibliographical references or
clues would be most appreciated.
I'm less interested in the precursors to 'honey street' and
'Klondike' metaphors for muddy or distant places than places which
seem to be have names denoting importance even though they're quite
minor and ***vice versa***.
I'd be doubly interested if anyone has examples of such irony in
(a) hundred names
(b) compounds with -cot(t) / -coat(e) / -cot(t)s / -coat(s)s
Many thanks
Bob
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