Soho

[Frederick Williams]

There are a number of places in the UK called 'Soho' (in
Carmarthenshire, London, Sandwell, Somerset at least). Where does this
name come from?

Recommendations for 'origins of place names' books will be welcome.

[Egbert White]

On Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:17:14 +0000, Frederick Williams

Post by Frederick Williams
There are a number of places in the UK called 'Soho' (in
Carmarthenshire, London, Sandwell, Somerset at least). Where does this
name come from?

I don't know about the UK 'Soho,' but I was surprised to learn not
long ago that the New York City 'Soho' means 'south of Houston,' where
'Houston' is the name of a street (and pronounced 'HOW ston,' where
'how' rhymes with 'cow,' or so I'm told),

Post by Frederick Williams
Recommendations for 'origins of place names' books will be welcome.

Again of incidental interest, the subject of origins of place names
may be more succinctly called toponymy.

But now I've Googled and found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soho
the following comment:

| The area which is now Soho was grazing farmland until 1536, when it
| was taken by Henry VIII as a royal park for the Palace of Whitehall.
| The name “Soho” first appears in the 17th century. Most authorities
| believe that the name derives from the old “soho!” hunting call (“Soho!
| There goes the fox!” etc.).[2][3][4][5] The Duke of Monmouth used
| “soho” as a rallying call for his men at the Battle of Sedgemoor,[6]
| half a century after the name was first used for this area of London.

I see that British dictionaries still give that definition of 'soho.'

For toponymy in general, you may find it interesting to look at
http://knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Toponymy/ .

[Frederick Williams]

Post by Egbert White
On Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:17:14 +0000, Frederick Williams

Post by Frederick Williams
There are a number of places in the UK called 'Soho' (in
Carmarthenshire, London, Sandwell, Somerset at least). Where does this
name come from?

I don't know about the UK 'Soho,' but I was surprised to learn not
long ago that the New York City 'Soho' means 'south of Houston,' where
'Houston' is the name of a street (and pronounced 'HOW ston,' where
'how' rhymes with 'cow,' or so I'm told),

Post by Frederick Williams
Recommendations for 'origins of place names' books will be welcome.

Again of incidental interest, the subject of origins of place names
may be more succinctly called toponymy.
But now I've Googled and found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soho
| The area which is now Soho was grazing farmland until 1536, when it
| was taken by Henry VIII as a royal park for the Palace of Whitehall.
| The name “Soho” first appears in the 17th century. Most authorities
| believe that the name derives from the old “soho!” hunting call (“Soho!
| There goes the fox!” etc.).

Thank you. I was aware of that meaning of 'soho' but it did not occur
to me that it had any connection with the place names. Do I believe it
now I've read it? Um... :-)

Post by Egbert White
[2][3][4][5] The Duke of Monmouth used
| “soho” as a rallying call for his men at the Battle of Sedgemoor,[6]
| half a century after the name was first used for this area of London.
I see that British dictionaries still give that definition of 'soho.'
For toponymy in general, you may find it interesting to look at
http://knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Toponymy/ .