Well, it's one version of it. Why Did Antarctic Explorer Ernest Shackleton Keep 'Conking Out'? You can see this more clearly on Bing Maps, unfortunately, as I’ve noted, it doesn’t appear possible to link directly to the relevant page. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. The 45-letter word is sometimes shortened to the more manageable Lake Chaubunagungamaug. And, as you’d guess, there’s a story about it. Massachusetts is the Algonquin word for “a big hill place.” Its state flag features a Native American. Later they added their original Indian descriptive name, and the entire designation becomes “Englishmen at Manchaug at the Fishing Place at the Boundary” — or Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. We've all felt the pain of mispronouncing the name of a town in front of a local who just has to correct you, but when it comes to a lake in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, everyone is willing to give you a pass for butchering it. On the television quiz … This curious fresh and salt water lake holds a secret that draws in deep divers from around the world. Today, "Webster Lake" may be the name most used, but some (including many residents of Webster), take pride in reeling off the longer versions. We may not be able to pronounce the real name of Webster Lake. Prior to the colonists’ arrival, the lake was known as “Chaubunagungamaugg,” meaning “fishing place at the boundary.” When colonists began using the lake as a fishing and meeting spot as well, the name expanded to its full “Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg,” meaning “English knifemen and Nipmuck Indians at the boundary or neutral fishing place.”. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in Webster, Massachusetts, has the longest location name in the U.S. The name also contains more 10 instances of the letter 'a', more than any other word in the English language." Lake Chaubunagungamaug (pronounced /tʃəˌbʌnəˈɡʌŋɡəmɑːɡ/), also known as "Webster Lake", is a lake in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, United States. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. The lake received its name when the English colonizers arrived in the region. Pronunciation of lake chaubunagungamaug with 1 audio pronunciation, 1 meaning, 6 translations and more for lake chaubunagungamaug. "Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, the extra-long version of the name, is the longest place name in the United States and 6th longest in the world. Wait a minute … I think it may be possible for Connecticut to claim a share of the lake without having to resort to stone throwing or canoe portages. A quirky museum paying tribute to the history of the optical industry. In an arid region, this beautiful lake in the Aravalli hills is an unexpected delight. All historians – and Indians of this and other territories – have agreed that Chaubunagungamaugg means “Fishing Place at the Boundary”. One of the tribes on the other side of the lake was the Monuhchogoks, which was corrupted to the name Manchaug. Required fields are marked *. The longest place name in all of North America. Of course, the only reason I’m hastily writing this page (the videos at the bottom tell the story better than I am) is because of the wackadoo name. It loosely translates to “fishing at the boundary”, as it was a fishing spot located at the boundaries of multiple tribal territories. The tribes gathered there for their pow-wows. Among early names were Chabanaguncamogue, Chaubanagogum, and Chaubunagungamaug, the latter now incorporated in the long name. Since 1921, the lake has also been known by a much longer name having 45 letters comprising fourteen syllables: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg. You’ll probably never be able to pronounce Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaug, but you can visit it, enjoy the changing of the seasons, eat great New England food, and maybe, if you’re lucky, convince an older local to rattle off a few syllables. We pass this every time we go to my brother’s house and I always meant to look it up. Located near the Connecticut border in Webster, Massachusetts, USA, the lake itself covers a surface area of 1,442 acres (5.84 km2) and is a popular vacation spot in New England, mostly because of its strange name. Longest in terms of its name, I mean. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. How to say lake chaubunagungamaug in English? Afloat the Erie Canal: A Self-Led Houseboat Adventure, Science in the Field: Tracking Wild Bumblebees in Sequoia, Rewilding: Tracking Wolves in the Forests of Sweden, Lisbon: Tracing the Roots of an Imperial Cuisine, Monster of the Month with Colin Dickey: Lake Monsters, Depicting Lockpicking in Popular Media With Schuyler Towne, Making the Miraculous Cake of the Patron Saint of Bakers, How Flanders Made Navigating a Cycling Paradise as Easy as Memorizing a Phone Number. In fact, North Pond was totally separate from the rest of the lake at one time. In fact, there are songs and poems and all sorts of fun stuff that has cropped up around the lake. The name quickly became a source of pride for the people who lived nearby. Just to the south of Bates Crossing is a small pond, perhaps one-quarter to one-half acre in size. As far as is known, the great publicity attained by this translation and the length of the name, stems from a story once written by Larry Daly, editor of the Webster TIMES, and widely picked up by other papers and magazines. Darn. It appears as a wetland on Google Maps, so most likely it’s seasonal depending on rainfall levels. Facebook/Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. The lake is the third-largest body of fresh water in Massachusetts. And if the attendant videos below are any indication, so does the rest of the world. Or… If you had a chance to write about this ridiculous lake name, wouldn’t you bend the CTMQ-rules (that don’t really exist) too? Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Pronunciation The original name of the lake as it appears in ancient deeds was Chabanakongkomom, with fewer letters and easier to pronounce. Hence the Indian designation Chargoggagoggmanchauggagogg meaning “Englishmen at Manchaug,” came into use. From OldeWebster.com: Picture below is from a cool guy who rode his bike across the country [whose let his website lapse]. In the 1950s, a plan to shorten the name was met with fierce resistance, tinged with a little poetic disobedience by poet Bertha A. Joslin: Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg’s renown. CBS News with Katie Couric on the lake. A small lake in an out of the way place, Southern Massachusetts near the corner of Connecticut and Rhode Island. In Nipmuc, an Algonquian dialect, it means "lake divided by islands," though a more generous translation could be "Fishing place… Heck, my Southwick Jog page is one of the most read and that’s MA too! In 1831, both Dudley and Oxford, which adjoined the lake, filed maps listing the name of the pond as Chargoggagoggmanchoggagogg, but a survey of the lake done in 1830 lists the name as Chaubunagungamaugg, the ancient name. Your email address will not be published. Lake Chaubunagungamaug, also known as Webster Lake, is a lake in the town of Webster, Massachusetts. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2021. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The swamps became part of the lake after the dams flooded these forested areas with at least 4 feet, maybe more, of water. so I can’t improve on it. However, all of these were similar in part and had almost the same translation, according to Indian language. I’m from CT but I grew up on this lake, and most of my favorite childhood memories are from here. There are eight islands inside it and it is divided into three parts, North, Middle, and South Ponds. ; Usage notes []. On my journey, I entered Massachusetts south on Route 193. Introducing: The Atlas Obscura Book Club With Literati, Meet the Experimental Violinist Forging Her Own Path, How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, In Naples, Praying With Skulls Is an Ancient Tradition, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/20/national/20lake.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0, http://www.oldewebster.com/history/lake_chargogg.htm, http://www.oldewebster.com/history/evolution.htm. The original name of the lake as it appears in ancient deeds was Chabanakongkomom, with fewer letters and easier to pronounce. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchoggagogg is a 17-mile-around lake in Webster. Broken down by syllable, the full place name is pronounced: Toe-mah-tah-fah-kah-tah-ngi-hah-nga-kaw-oh-oh-aw-ta-ma-te-a-too-ri-poo-ka-ka-pee-kee-mow-nga-haw-raw-noo-koo-paw-kai-feh-noo-ah-kee-tah-nah-tah-hoo (40 syllables). That’s not a typo (or it might be, but who could honestly tell?). There’s a lake in Massachusetts referred to by the locals as “Lake Webster”. State Parks, Forests, Reserves, Preserves, & WMAs, Best, Historic, & Unique Restaurants & Foods, Homemade Ice Cream, Cheese, & Chocolate Trails, Firsts, Onlies, Oldests, Largests, Longests, Mosts, Smallests, & Bests, Houses, Communities, Libraries, & Businesses, Towers, Bridges, Tunnels, Roads, Canals, Dams, Airports, & Ferries. Many residents of the town of Webster take special pride in being able to pronounce the lake's name with ease. In his humorous article about the Lake and the Nipmucs, and the disagreement over the translation, he submitted his own translation – which is now more freely accepted than the authentic meaning. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaug is one of the longest words in the English language (that’s a stretch) and certainly one of the longest place name in the world. Well, it's one version of it. An unnatural lake in a naturally beautiful setting. That’s because “Webster Lake” is actually named Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. It looks to me like those areas just north of Jackson Road were historically part of the lake, but the level they keep it at now disallows that. This evocatively named natural crevasse was created by a torrent of water that smashed right through a granite deposit. I happen to think it’s all pretty cool. This is the name found in the earliest records and is used by the USGS. The coming of the white man changed that kind of gathering, but throughout the years, the lake with the long name has continued to attract thousands of people to its shores each summer. Right at the Webster town line is the green sign with the lake name. Most people call it Webster Lake, but the actual name is a bit longer: Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. I hate that. After all, there's 45 letters in the name. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is a 1,442-acre lake with a 17-mile shoreline. Some locals prefer fancifully lengthened versions of the name. But, it’s real name is “Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg”. Yes, that's the actual name of this Massachusetts lake! Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in Webster, Massachusetts, has the longest location name in the U.S. Its an actual name for a lake that is located in the town of Webster in How to say Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in English? It is located near the Connecticut border and has a surface area of 1,442 acres. It is located near the Connecticut border and has a surface area of 1,442 acres (5.83 km²). is connected to the main body of the lake by a culvert under the road, and therefore would be considered part of the lake in hydrological terms, and (b) its southern tip may dip ever so slightly into the Nutmeg State. The Old Connecticut Path crossed the lake at “The Narrows” and separated North Pond. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Affectionately known as "Lake Webster" to locals who gave up on trying to pronounce the name a long time ago, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is considered to have the longest name in the United States, and one of the longest in the whole world. Its 15 uses of 'g' are the most instances of any letter in a word. Assuming the affirmative, here's a review of Webster Lake, also known as Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Any tips on pronunciation? The name has origins from the Nipmuc indians and roughly translated meant, "You fish on your side, I'll fish on my side, and nobody fish in the middle." The Indians had several different names for the great body of water, as can be learned from early maps and old historical records. There’s a problem of rhythm and stress. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Even if, as I read it, you’re responsible for this lake being the least bit famous with your silly translation. Why I oughtta… How about this – this lake is dam-controlled. What does lake-chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg mean? Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Proper noun []. There were some times when a small boat or canoe could be used to get from the swamp area in Ct. directly to Webster lake.We used to call this area Jerries Swamp and it was a favorite spot for us to fish, camp and just hang out what some people call a road was rail bed for the trolley tracks to Webster and beyond.the swamp was always a few feet deep and there were a couple times in spring when the water was high a small light boat could be coaxed over to the mass side. From the days when the big lake with the longest name in the United States was a central gathering place for the Nipmuc Indians and their friends, the great pond – divided by narrow channels into three larger bodies of water – has been famed throughout the area. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. In the days of the Indians, the lake was a noted fishing place. A lake in Massachusetts, USA. The third longest single word place name in the world, and number one in the United States, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg actually has more g’s (15) than average feet of depth (13). Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is the longest place name in the United States and 6th longest in the world. Officially, the lake is named Lake Chaubunagungamaug, which reflect the oldest Native American name for the small body of water. Despite this official knowledge, the lake – now descending too often to the designation of Webster Lake – is known the world over by the humorous translation “You Fish on Your Side, I Fish on My Side, Nobody Fish in the Middle”. The name, often said to be the longest place name in America, is from the language of the Nipmuc tribe. To make things easy for people, the lake is given alternate names such as Lake Chaubunagungamaug (still a little tricky but can be pronounced) and Lake Webster. Massachusetts is the Algonquin word for “a big hill place.” Its state flag features a Native American. I have worked with clients in this area who see Webster Lake as a great alternative to the Cape Cod traffic and congestion. A map of 1795, showing the town of Dudley, indicated the Lake name as “Chargoggaggoggmanchoggagogg”. Facilities and Parks: From the Worcester area, drive west on I-290 and continue on Route 52 to Exit 1. The longest place name in all of North America. Lake Chaubunagungamaug or Webster Lake - Massachusetts . Here is a link to the page, I hope it shows up okay (there’s no Preview function). Lots more about the lake Webster Lake is a wonderful getaway for residents of Massachusetts and some people living in the Metrowest area consider it is a site for a summer home.. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg has about 7-8 islands. No, the cat didnt jump on my keyboard. What I find amusing is it sounds funny even out of the locals mouths! The Nipmucs played an important role in Metacom’s (or King Philip’s) War in 1675 -1676. The white translation is reasonably accurate the lake was a peace boundry for several local tribes.Knowing that fish from this lake was a vital food source for every one a truce was agreed to here by the local natives, If enemy tribes met here they would simply stay on separate sides of the lake and each would fish in peace at those times “no man would fish in the middle” thus purposely staying away from each other. Pronunciation of Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg with 1 audio pronunciation, 1 meaning and more for Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Go to the extreme southwest corner of the lake, close to where the state line crosses Route 193. There is a lake right near the place where three states (Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island) touch. But it’s not mine, of course and I’m sorry to the old postcard website I took it from. Jane Hill, vice president of the Webster Lake Association, a recently formed group of some 400 lake homeowners, rankled some folks by spelling the C … The dams (2)built by Samuel Slater or someone earlier, perhaps in the mid to late 1700’s enlarged the lake to add water power. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. This old postcard is from… I forget. Thanks for the explanation! Many residents of the town of Webster take special pride in being able to pronounce the lake's name with ease. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. So… no “Not-In-CT” alarm this time. This dazzlingly turquoise mountain lake was created in the wake of a natural disaster. What appears to be a dirt road or path runs *just* north of the state line eastward from the point at which Jackson Road dips below the state line. Thompson, CT & Webster, MA The CBS linked video has a guy rattling it off pretty well. The length of the Lake is 3.25 miles, and at its widest point in Middle Pond, the distance is 1.125 miles. Lovely Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg song (pronoun) The 45-letter name is hard to spell and it's even harder to pronounce. No purchase necessary. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). This beach-side arcade is believed to be the oldest penny arcade in America. Webster Lake is a beautiful New England vacation spot, replete with trees and gently lapping shorelines, summer cottages that dot the lakefront, and children splashing in the shallow water. The lake received its full name once the English colonists arrived in the area. (Note: the bird’s eye view on Bing Maps shows this path more clearly, however the state line isn’t indicated.). For a stretch of probably no more than 50 to 75 feet there is no roadway or other development between the Connecticut line and the lakeshore. A shortened version of the name is sometimes used: Chargoggagoggmanchoggagogg. But as I stared closely at some maps, I realized two things: That you can see this absurdly named lake from the far northern reaches of Thompson, CT AND, more importantly, the cedar swamp on the southeastern end of this ridiculously named lake DOES bleed into Connecticut. A plaque marks the spot on the bridge where one of the first elephants in the U.S., Little Bet, was gunned down. In 1600 there were 15,000 Nipmucs in the area. Two things about this pond are relevant to our discussion: a) it probably (almost certainly?) Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Officially, the lake is named Lake Chaubunagungamaug, which reflect the oldest Native American name for the small body of water. Yes, that's the actual name of this Massachusetts lake! A short distance to the west, just before the intersection with Black Point Road, Jackson Road dips slightly to the south, just enough so that the roadway seems to be in Connecticut. Or… I think I could throw a perfectly shaped rock from CT into the lake maybe on a good day. The shore line of North Pond is 5.78 miles, of Middle Pond, 7.06 miles, and South Pond is 4.17 miles. Unfortunately, the land in between looks to be dry and partially wooded, no doubt making a portage-less canoe journey impossible. The shore line of North Pond is 5.78 miles, of Middle Pond, 7.06 miles, and South Pond is 4.17 miles. While the swampy areas extend southward into Connecticut, I would imagine that this road/path blocks canoe access to the lake no matter how high the swamp’s water level may be. Synonym of Lake Chaubunagungamaug in Massachusetts, USA. Most people call it Webster Lake, but the actual name is a bit longer: Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is a 1,442-acre lake with a 17-mile shoreline. (Some sources offer this spelling: Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg). A depth chart for Webster Lake from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife can be seen at: This lake may not look very big on a map, but I’m pretty sure it is the longest lake in the world. Offer subject to change without notice. I’ve read numerous and fascinating books on the Native Americans who inhabited the area. As a destination for boating, swimming, jet … However, we can tell you it's a truly special place to visit and an even better place to make your home away from home. Some have houses and are habitable; a few are extremely small and uninhabitable. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. June 3, 2011. Pronunciation IPA : /tʃɑɹ.ɡɑɡˌəˌɡɑɡˌmæn.tʃɑˈɡæÉ¡.ɡɑɡ.tʃɑ.buˌnæ.É¡uŋ.ɡə.mɑɡ/ Proper noun . They don’t pronounce their “r’s” so it sounds like lake “Chah…” instead of lake “char….” I can still remember my grandmother teaching it to me?? Longest English words, Filed Under: Everything Else, Geography, Superlatives Tagged With: Massachusetts, Thompson, Windham County. The length of the Lake is 3.25 miles, and at its widest point in Middle Pond, the distance is 1.125 miles. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. The lake is never mentioned as a neutral meeting ground. The lake is more commonly known as Lake Chaubunagungamaug, or even Webster Lake. Your email address will not be published. Chaubunagungamaug. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Thompson, CT & Webster, MA June 3, 2011. Obviously, the name is a bit unwieldy. The Nipmuks gave the body of water this name because it was neutral territory and a favored site for powwows among their tribe and the Narraganssett, Pequot and Mohegan tribes. Of course I asked about it and was told the story about this lake in Webster, MA, which is sometimes just referred to as Webster Lake, and how the long name originated. Usage notes Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. When I originally planned on “visiting” this lake and posting about it on CONNECTICUT MuseumQuest, I meant to have my rare “Not-In-CT” alarm go off. Fox News reports on the misspelling This alarm is for the few things that are CTMQ-worthy but aren’t in Connecticut – like my visit with Damian to Campbell Falls within sight of the border with Massachusetts, among others. All rights reserved. Still too hard? Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. It's Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, or to the locals, Lake Webster. Today, the lake is a gorgeous summer … Marc Picard has pointed to the wiki page with a pretty good pronunciation, Lake Chaubunagungamaug - Wikipedia presumably as you’ll find, but it’s not sufficient. After all, there's 45 letters in the name. A small lake east of Webster, Massachusetts. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is the longest place name in the United States and 6th longest in the world. Ethel Merman sings about the lake A depth chart for Webster Lake from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife can be seen at: Definition of Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in the Definitions.net dictionary. Jane Hill, vice president of the Webster Lake Association, a recently formed group of some 400 lake homeowners, rankled some folks by spelling …