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Discussion » Questions » Names » The AnswerMug Challenge Series, International Capitals Edition: which country's capital city has a name so obscure that its origin can't be
Randy D

The AnswerMug Challenge Series, International Capitals Edition: which country's capital city has a name so obscure that its origin can't be

traced or is so difficult to trace that there's no definitive agreement on how it came about. 

RULES:
Please name both the capital city and the country to which it belongs. You may also name more than one city and its country if you like, and former capitals and/or former countries that are no longer in existence are also valid.

BONUS:
If someone posts the name of a city that you believe its origin is NOT obscure or untraceable, you may rebut that entry with evidence to the contrary. Thank you. 

Have fun with this!
~

Posted - July 7, 2017
Tags : None

Responses


  • 10980
    Can you tell us how this is fun?

      July 7, 2017 9:19 AM MDT
    6

  • It's fun for those of us into toponymy :)
      July 7, 2017 8:53 PM MDT
    3

  • I would join in, but I need to see if I can get in for a root canal I don't need. 
      July 7, 2017 9:26 AM MDT
    6

  • 46117
    Who cares.
      July 7, 2017 9:39 AM MDT
    3

  • 53490

    That should end with a question mark. 

    :)


      July 7, 2017 8:37 PM MDT
    0

  • 7126
    Sorry, no can do. Important back waxing appointment. 
      July 7, 2017 9:48 AM MDT
    6

  • Don't forget the nose and ears darling.
     
      July 7, 2017 9:51 AM MDT
    5

  • 7126
    I like to let the ear hair grow long and braid it for summer picnics. 
      July 7, 2017 9:59 AM MDT
    6

  • 44583
    I looked through a list of countries, picked out the ones I never heard of, and all of their capitals have origins. I guess I will go get a toe wax. This post was edited by Element 99 at July 8, 2017 12:59 AM MDT
      July 7, 2017 12:04 PM MDT
    6

  • 7126
    I'll see you over there. I think today it's buy 9 toes, get the 10th one free.   
      July 7, 2017 1:34 PM MDT
    3

  • 53490
    Of course they all have origins. Everything that exists has an origin, everything that has ever existed had an origin. 

    Sometimes, origins are unknown or difficult to trace, but that doesn't mean there is no origin.

    :|


     
      July 7, 2017 8:40 PM MDT
    1

  • 5451
    Manama, Bahrain

    Thimpu, Bhutan

    Punakha, Bhutan (former capital)

    Abiras, Central African Republic (former capital)

    Gonder, Ethiopia (former capital)

    Danqaz, Ethiopia (former capital)

    Tegulat, Ethiopia (former capital)

    Axum, Ethiopia (former capital)

    Suva, Fiji 

    Sagaing, Myanmar (former capital)

    Shwebo, Myanmar (former capital)

    Zinder, Niger (former capital)


      July 7, 2017 1:22 PM MDT
    3

  • "Manama" seems to mean "place of rest" in Arabic. 
      July 7, 2017 8:52 PM MDT
    2

  • 5451
    Apparently some Wikipedia editors are asleep at the wheel.

    I got my list from this Wikipedia page:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_capital_city_name_etymologies

    Bahrain:

    Manama: Etymology unknown and disputed.



    When I follow the link to this Wikipedia page it contradicts what's on the first page I referenced.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manama








      July 8, 2017 11:27 AM MDT
    0

  • 7126
    East Bumblef**k, Oklahoma

    Did I win?
      July 7, 2017 1:27 PM MDT
    3

  • 53490

    Nope. 
    ~
      July 7, 2017 8:41 PM MDT
    0

  • 7126
    Damn, and I was so confident. Maybe I should have gone with West Bumblef**k. That's the better known of the Bumblef**ks.  
      July 7, 2017 8:48 PM MDT
    1

  • 17583
    This is too much like real school so I say pass.  ;)
      July 7, 2017 1:42 PM MDT
    3

  • There are a number of these. One such example is Rome, Italy. Though the traditional story the Romans told is that it came from the name Romulus, some scholars believe that Romulus actually came from "Rome" (the name sort of looks like a diminutive, i.e. "little Rome"). The origin of "Rome" and/or "Romulus" is thus disputed. It may actually be Etruscan or Greek in origin.  

    Dehli, India, is another example. One theory connects it to a king named Dhilu, another connects it to the Sanskrit word "dhili" meaning "loose" in reference to the loose Iron Pillar of Delhi! That sounds like quite a stretch to me, but no one really knows where "Delhi" came from.

    Even London, UK, isn't clear. Though we know it comes from the Roman name "Londinium", the origin of that name is shrouded in mystery. It's probably a Latinization of some native British word, but whether that word was Celtic or pre-Indo-European isn't clear, and what it meant is even less clear.


      July 7, 2017 8:52 PM MDT
    3

  • 53490

    Now here's a guy who knows how to take up a challenge, folks!  Learn from his example!
    ~
      July 8, 2017 7:12 AM MDT
    0

  • 10026
    I'm assuming you know languages change through out time.  Therefore, finding origins for some of these capitols, especially in the English language that we understand today will be exceedingly difficult.  Finding some of the origins will be virtually impossible.  
    Being a person who has such a history of proper language usage, I am sure you know this, Randy.
    You are sending us on a quest that is defeating, it would seem.
    If you have one in mind,  please give us a hint.  This will help us to complete your request.
      July 8, 2017 1:09 AM MDT
    0

  • 53490

    Who said anything about limiting it to the English language?  That's a restriction that you imposed, not me. 
    __
      July 8, 2017 7:14 AM MDT
    1

  • 10026
    So true.  I put that restriction on myself many moons ago.  I could change it. :)  Thanks for the correction.
      July 8, 2017 10:34 AM MDT
    1

  • 53490

    You're welcome, my friend. 

    ~
      July 8, 2017 8:01 PM MDT
    0