The Shed Restaurant in Notting Hill zgate

 

Humorous Speech Contest, and Celebration with Cake, at HOD Speakers' Club in Harrow. All welcome.

 HOD Toastmasters International Speakers' Group members are having a contest including humorous speeches and table topics (impromptu speeches) on Thursday October 1st, meeting starting promptly at 7.30. 

Later that busy month we are celebrating the club's 25th anniversary on Tuesday October 27th in the evening. Expect to hear from past presidents about our past successes, present opportunities and plans for the future. Of course there will be cake! 

Our usual meeting date is a Thursday evening twice a month, but the celebration will include past and future members, lots of guests, so we have a bigger room. Please contact the club if you want to come to one of these events or both 🍰 so we have enough food and chairs, and maybe a speaking slot for you.

Useful Links

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/hod-speakers-club-107921320861

toastmasters.org/find-a-club

HOD on the Toastmasters International website

https://www.toastmasters.org/Find-a-Club/00002326-00002326

Souvenirs of London

 Suitcase with underground railway stations, tee-shirt, and many more items. Royal family.

From a large shop beside Embankment station.

Gift Box Britain. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Memory Aids for German Words

 English - German memory aids

Duck - Ente (the duck enters the water)

kite - Drachen  (which you drag along)

German - English memory aids

Drachen - kite

Ente (plural Enten) - duck (ducks)

Words which are the same in German and English

German - English

Disco - disco

Hunger - hunger

Park - park

so - so

wow - wow

Words which are the same English and German

disco - Disco

hunger - Hunger

park - Park (remember capital initial letter for nouns in German)

so - so 

wow - wow

German And English Words Which Look Similar

German - English

Haare - hair

Karten - cards

Musik - music

Selten - rarely (seldom)

English - German Words Which Look Similar

hair - Haare (ha ha, what a lot of hair, remember double a)

(to) help - helfen (help me by putting an f in helfen, en for infinitives, oh f... I need help, from anyone)

cards - Karten (I cart my cards about it the carton Karten, en for plurals)

Matching Word Endings German-English

Der Drucker - the printer

eine Pause - a break (a pause)

English - German Document Ending

document - Dokument

the end - Das Ende

end - Ende (written alone at the end of a document)

-ends-

Please follow my blogs on travel, dress, and comical poetry, and bookmark and share links to your favourite, useful posts.

Highlights Of Canary Islands

 If you are considering spending a holiday, the winter, or all year in one of the Spanish speaking Canary Islands. What do the islands offer?

We visited Little La Palma and larger Tenerife this year. I have written about them in other blog posts. Now I am researching other islands for my next trip. What am I looking for:

1 Food and wine attractions - Wineries or wine museums to visit. Food museums. (Tenerife had a wine museum with a section on honey.)

2 Distinctive but affordable hotels. 

We stayed in the Parador by Mount Teide in the middle of Tenerife for two nights, and the Parador hotel on La Palma for about a week. The timings were constrained by the days and times of the Fred Olsen ferries from Tenerife to La Palma and back,Ryanair and international flights from Stansted in the UK to Tenerife's South Airport. Both Paradors were remote, isolated, but we had hired a car to tour the islands. 

3 A hotel with a swimming pool which is heated, and open in winter.

4 Natural attractions.

5 Shopping, factory visits, shops in hotels or nearby, shopping centres nearby.

6 Museums and attractions, especially writers or artists. 

Tenerife had the Agatha Christie city hillside steps with the names of her books one on the front of each step and a statue or bust at the top. 

La Palma had a museum about volcanoes. Whilst my husband was climbing the side of an now dormant volcano, I spent the day watching videos of the most recent volcano which when active destroyed many homes and part of the island but added land down by the sea on the side where the lava flowed.)

My research has added these items to my wishlist.

LANZAROTE

This post is being researched. Come back later today, and look for occasional updates.

People Named After Biblical Places and Modern Israel and Jordan

 My first thoughts were of the author Israel Zangwill. Then of many American stars called Jordan. I did a little research with the help of Ask Gemini and came up with the first list below:

I then wondered, what about the city of Jericho? I asked Gemini and it used the Wikipedia entry on Jericho (given name) to produce the list below. That reminded me to look in Wikipedia to find people from a city or named after it. My search gave me the second list below.

Historical & Biblical Places Used as Names

• Shiloh (Named after the ancient biblical city of Shiloh in the West Bank/Samaria)

  • Shiloh Jolie-Pitt: Daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

  • Shiloh Fernandez: American actor (Evil Dead, Red Riding Hood).

  • Shiloh Keo: Former NFL safety and Super Bowl champion.

• Ariel (Poetic name for Jerusalem in biblical texts)

  • Ariel Winter: American actress, known for her role in Modern Family.  

  • Ariel Sharon: Former Prime Minister of Israel.

  • Ariel Pink: American indie rock singer and songwriter.

  • Ariel Helwani: Canadian sports journalist and MMA broadcaster.  

---

Geographic & Natural Landmarks

• Jordan / Yarden (Named after the Jordan River forming the eastern border)

  • Jordan Peele: Oscar-winning American filmmaker and comedian.

  • Michael B. Jordan: American actor (Creed, Black Panther).  

  • Jordan Fisher: American actor, singer, and Broadway performer.  

  • Jordan Pickford: English national team football goalkeeper.

• Eden (Referencing the biblical Garden of Eden/region)

  • Eden Hazard: Belgian former professional football star (Chelsea, Real Madrid).

  • Eden Sher: American actress best known for The Middle.

  • Eden Golan: Israeli singer who represented Israel at Eurovision 2024.

• Carmel (Named after Mount Carmel in Haifa)

  • Carmel Myers: Prominent early American silent film actress.

  • Carmel Snow: Longtime editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.

  • Carmel Budiardjo: Renowned British human rights activist.

---

Cities, Regions & Surnames-as-First Names

• Zion / Tzion (A biblical name for Jerusalem/Eretz Yisrael)

  • Zion Williamson: NBA star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans.

  • Zion David Marley: Son of Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley (and subject of the song "To Zion").

• Sharon (Named after the Sharon Plain region along the coast)

  • Sharon Stone: Academy Award-nominated American actress.

  • Sharon Osbourne: British television personality, music manager, and author.

  • Sharon Tate: Iconic American actress and 1960s cultural figure.

• Galilee / Galilea (Named after the Galilee region in northern Israel)

• Galilea Montijo: Famous Mexican actress and television host.

• JERICHO

• several notable figures in entertainment, sports, and literature carry the name Jericho:

  Famous Real People

  • Chris Jericho (born Christopher Irvine): One of the most famous figures associated with the name. He is a world-renowned Canadian-American professional wrestler (a multi-time champion in WWE and AEW), lead singer of the rock band Fozzy, and host of the Talk Is Jericho podcast.  

  • Jericho Rosales: A superstar actor, singer, and film producer in the Philippines. Dubbed the "Asian Drama King," he has starred in major television dramas and films that have aired globally across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  

  • Jericho Brown: An acclaimed American poet and professor. He won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his collection The Tradition.  

  • Jericho Sims: An American professional basketball player who plays in the NBA (notably for the New York Knicks).  

  • Jerricho Cotchery: A former American NFL wide receiver (who played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers) and current football coach.  

  • Jericho Cruz: A professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

  ---

  Famous Fictional Characters

  • Jericho (DC Comics): A superhero in DC Comics (Joseph Wilson), best known as a member of the Teen Titans.

  • Jericho Drumm (Marvel Comics): A superhero who assumes the identity of Brother Voodoo (and later Doctor Voodoo).   How many more do you know? Please contact me through comments. 

    -ends-

    This post will be updated later today and in the future.

    Please share links to your favourite posts.

Placenames in Asia named after famous people

Singapore Placenames

 I lived in Singapore for many years and in Singapore many landmarks, streets and squares and hotels are named after Raffles. Raffles Hotel. Also several areas and railway stations and streets are named after British people from earlier eras. 

You can buy a book on the origin of Singapore street names.

When Visiting Malaysia, from adjoining Singapore, I was told about the origins of names.

In the Philippines I was told that the country was named after Philip.

Indian Placenames

In India I noticed the Sassoon Docks in Bombay, which was renamed Mumbai. The docks were named after Sassoon who funded them. The Docks were his idea. The Sassoons were a famous family, who founded the Hong Kong an Shanghai Bank, HSBC. I remember reading Sassoon's poems about WWI and visiting the house and zoo associated with Sassoon in southern England.

That was just a tiny corner of India. Associated with the UK and worldwide through the Sassoon name.

Today, September 8th 2026, I used Ask Gemini for some more memorable place names in Asia. I find it is easier to remember names of cities or train stations if you associate them with the people they are named after. 

Many major cities, regions, and geographic landmarks across Asia are named after historical figures, monarchs, military leaders, explorers, and national heroes:

Up popped useful results from the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, India, Malaysia and UAE.

Major Cities & Capitals

• Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam): Formerly named Saigon, the country's largest city was renamed in 1976 in honor of Hồ Chí Minh, the revolutionary leader and prime minister/president of North Vietnam.

• Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia): Renamed in 1924, the name translates to "Red Hero," chosen in honor of Damdin Sükhbaatar, the founding leader of the Mongolian Revolution and national hero.

• Faisalabad (Pakistan): Formerly Lyallpur (named after Sir James Lyall), the city was renamed in 1979 in honor of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who had close ties to Pakistan.

• Islamabad (Pakistan): While meaning "City of Islam," several districts within the capital are named after famous historical leaders, such as the Faisal Mosque.

• Davao City (Philippines) / General Santos City (Philippines): General Santos City was named after General Paulino Santos, a former Commanding General of the Philippine Army who spearheaded settlement in the region.

• George Town (Penang, Malaysia): Capital of the state of Penang, named after King George III of Great Britain.

• Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India): Named in honor of Captain Archibald Blair of the British East India Company, who established a colony there in 1789.

---

Provinces, States & Regions

• Rizal Province (Philippines): Named directly after José Rizal, the national hero, writer, and polymath of the Philippines.

• Quezon / Quezon City (Philippines): Named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, who established the city to replace Manila as the capital.

• Jharkand / Telangana (India): While many Indian states take indigenous or linguistic names, Victoria Terminus / Victoria in Mumbai and various historic districts honor historic figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji (e.g., Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly Aurangabad, named after Aurangzeb and later Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj).

• Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh): A famous coastal town and long beach named after Captain Hiram Cox, an officer of the British East India Company who served as a diplomatic superintendent.

---

Geographic Features & Islands

• Mount Everest (Nepal/China border): Named after Sir George Everest, a Welsh surveyor and Surveyor General of India who oversaw the initial mapping of the Indian subcontinent.

• K2 / Mount Godwin-Austen (Pakistan/China border): Also known historically as Mount Godwin-Austen, named in honor of Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen, an early surveyor and explorer of the region.

• Sir Bani Yas (United Arab Emirates): An island named after Sheikh Yas, the founder and progenitor of the Bani Yas tribal confederation.

• Barents Sea / Bering Strait (North Asia/Russia): Sea and strait bordering northern and eastern Asia, named after explorers Willem Barentsz and Vitus Bering.

Placenames in Australia and New Zealand named after famous people

 I wondered about how many places in Australia and New Zealand are named after famous people. My first thought was Victoria after Queen Victoria. My second thought was Melbourne, after her minister, Melbourne.

I did a search with Gemini and was delighted to find a whole lot more, especially Tasmania and Cook.

Australia

States, Territories & Capital

• Victoria: State named after Queen Victoria of Great Britain.

• Queensland: State also named in honor of Queen Victoria.

• Tasmania: State named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first European to reach the island in 1642 (formerly Van Diemen's Land).

• Brisbane (Queensland): Capital city named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales (1821–1825).

• Sydney (New South Wales): Capital city named in honor of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, British Home Secretary.

• Melbourne (Victoria): Capital city named after British Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne.

• Darwin (Northern Territory): Capital city named after naturalist Charles Darwin by his former shipmate Captain John Clements Wickham of HMS Beagle.

• Hobart (Tasmania): Capital city named after Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire, British Colonial Secretary.

Major Cities & Regions

• Adelaide (South Australia): Named after Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV of the United Kingdom.

• Perth (Western Australia): Named by Sir James Stirling after Perth, Scotland, in honor of Sir George Murray, British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (who was born in Perthshire).

• Townsville (Queensland): Named after founder and sea captain Robert Towns.

• Alice Springs (Northern Territory): Named after Alice Todd, wife of Sir Charles Todd, Superintendent of Telegraphs during the construction of the Australian Overland Telegraph Line.

• Flinders Ranges / Flinders Island: Named after navigator and cartographer Matthew Flinders, who first circumnavigated mainland Australia.

---

New Zealand

Major Cities & Regions

• Auckland: Largest city named in honor of George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, First Lord of the Admiralty.

• Wellington: Capital city named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, hero of the Battle of Waterloo.

• Christchurch: Named after Christ Church college at Oxford University, heavily associated with British politician and founder John Robert Godley.

• Nelson: City named in honor of British naval hero Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson.

• Picton: Town named after Sir Thomas Picton, a British general who died at the Battle of Waterloo.

• Gisborne: Named after William Gisborne, New Zealand Colonial Secretary (1869–1872).

• Palmerston North: Named after Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, former British Prime Minister.

• Hastings: City named after Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India.

• Napier: City named after Sir Charles Napier, British general in the Anglo-Sikh Wars.

Geographic Features

• Cook Strait & Mount Cook (Aoraki): Named after English explorer Captain James Cook, the first European to circumnavigate and map New Zealand.

• Tasman Glacier / Tasman Sea: Named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman.

• Foveaux Strait: Named after Joseph Foveaux, Lieutenant-Governor of Norfolk Island and administrator of New South Wales.

• How many more do you know? Please contact me through comments. 

  -ends-

  This post will be updated later today and in the future.

  Please share links to your favourite posts.

Placenames in the UK, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Europe, named after famous people

 

I recently, in 2026, learned that Constantinople was named after Roman Constantine. I wondered, how many more cities are named after famous people from the past? In the UK we have Hadrian's Wall. Many cities have names ending in chester, from caster or fort, from Roman times. 

United Kingdom & Scotland

England

• Nelson (Lancashire): Named after Admiral Horatio Nelson (originally named after a public house, The Lord Nelson, built in his honor).

• Telford (Shropshire): Named after famous Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford, who designed roads, bridges, and canals throughout Great Britain.

• Petersfield (Hampshire): Named after Saint Peter, to whom the local parish church is dedicated.

• Grimsby (Lincolnshire): According to local legend and the Grimsbytale, founded by a Viking fisherman named Grim.

• Bishop's Stortford (Hertfordshire): Named in connection with the Bishops of London, who owned the manor from the 11th century.

Scotland

• Fort William (Highlands): Named after King William III (William of Orange).

• Fort Augustus (Highlands): Named after Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (son of King George II).

• Alexandria (West Dunbartonshire): Named in honor of Alexander Smollett, local landowner and MP.

• Helensburgh (Argyll and Bute): Named after Lady Helen Colquhoun, wife of Sir James Colquhoun, who founded the town in 1784.

• Maryhill (Glasgow): Named after Mary Hill, an heiress who inherited the estate and laid out the settlement in the late 18th century.

---

Wales & Ireland

Wales

• Llandudno: Named after Saint Tudno, the 6th-century patron saint of the Great Orme.

• St Davids (Pembrokeshire): Named after Saint David (Dewi Sant), the patron saint of Wales.

• Llangollen: Named after Saint Collen, a 6th-century monk who founded a church beside the River Dee.

• Tredegar (Blaenau Gwent): Named after the Morgan family of Tredegar House (specifically Sir William Morgan).

Ireland

• Portlaoise (formerly Maryborough): Historically named Maryborough after Queen Mary I of England ("Bloody Mary").

• Daingean (formerly Philipstown): Historically named Philipstown after King Philip II of Spain (husband of Queen Mary I).

• Cobh (formerly Queenstown): Renamed Queenstown in 1849 to commemorate a visit by Queen Victoria, before reverting to Cobh in 1920.

• St. Patrick's Well / Kilpatrick: Dozens of towns and landmarks across Ireland are named after Saint Patrick.

---

Europe

France

• Louisbourg / Saint-Louis: Many towns carry the name of King Louis IX (Saint Louis) or King Louis XIV.

• Albertville: Named after King Charles Albert of Sardinia, who incorporated the town in 1836.

• Charleville-Mézières: Named after Charles de Gonzague, Duke of Nevers and Rethel.

Germany & Central Europe

• Karlsruhe (Germany): Named after its founder, Margrave Charles III William (Karl) of Baden-Durlach.

• Ludwigsburg (Germany): Named in honor of Eberhard Louis (Ludwig), Duke of Württemberg.

• St. Petersburg (Russia): Named after Saint Peter the Apostle (though founded by Czar Peter the Great).

• Kaliningrad (Russia, historically Königsberg): Renamed after Bolshevik leader Mikhail Kalinin in 1946.

• Zelenogradsk / Formerly Cranz (Russia): Numerous Soviet-era renamings across Eastern Europe honored historical figures like Vladimir Lenin (Leningrad, Ulyanovsk) and Joseph Stalin (Stalingrad, now Volgograd).

Netherlands, Belgium, & Southern Europe

• Eindhoven / Willemstad (Netherlands): Willemstad was fortified and named after William the Silent (William I, Prince of Orange).

• Charleroi (Belgium): Named in honor of King Charles II of Spain (who ruled the Southern Netherlands at the time).

• San Sebastián (Spain): Named after Saint Sebastian.

• Valletta (Malta): Capital city named after Jean Parisot de Valette, Grand Master of the Order of Saint John, who defended the island during the Great Siege of 1565.

I then tried another search, which capital cities in Europe were named after famous people? 

I got these results.

Several European capital cities are named after historical figures, monarchs, commanders, or patron saints:

Named after Monarchs & Rulers

• Valletta (Malta): Named after Jean Parisot de Valette, Grand Master of the Order of Saint John, who successfully defended the island against the Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege of 1565.

• Vaduz (Liechtenstein): Named in connection with the noble ruling House of Liechtenstein and historical counts of Vaduz (specifically originating from Faduzes, linked to historical local rulers/owners).

• Kyiv (Ukraine): According to medieval tradition and the Primary Chronicle, the city was founded by and named after Kyi, the eldest of three brothers and a legendary prince of the East Slavic Polans tribe.

---

Named after Christian Saints

• San Marino (San Marino): Capital (and country) named after Saint Marinus, a Christian stonemason who founded a monastic community on Mount Titano in 301 AD.

• Minsk (Belarus - Historical Legend): Local folk legend attributes the city's name to a legendary heroic giant and founder named Menesk (or Minyash).

---

Named after Mythological Figures & Ancient Gods

• Athens (Greece): Named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft, following a mythical competition between Athena and Poseidon to become the city's patron.

• Rome / Roma (Italy): According to Roman mythology, named after its founder and first king, Romulus, who built the city alongside his twin brother Remus in 753 BC.

• How many more do you know? Please contact me through comments. 

• -ends-

  This post will be updated later today and in the future.

  Please share links to your favourite posts.

Placenames in Brazil and South America named after famous people

 Can you name places in Brazil and south america named after famous people? I immediately think of  Bolivia named after Simon Bolivar. 

Ask Gemini found me many more.

Brazil

• Florianópolis (Santa Catarina): Named after Floriano Peixoto, the second President of Brazil.

• Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro): Named in honor of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil (Petrópolis translates to "City of Pedro").

• Teresópolis (Rio de Janeiro): Named after Empress Teresa Cristina, wife of Emperor Pedro II.

• Goiânia (Goiás) / Presidente Prudente (São Paulo): Named after Prudente de Morais, the first civilian President of Brazil.

• Santos Dumont (Minas Gerais): Named after Alberto Santos-Dumont, Brazilian aviation pioneer.

• Rondonôpolis (Mato Grosso) & State of Rondônia: Named after Cândido Rondon, famous Brazilian military officer, explorer, and indigenous rights advocate.

• Duque de Caxias (Rio de Janeiro): Named after Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias, military hero and patron of the Brazilian Army.

• Presidente Epitácio / Presidente Epitácio Pessoa: Named after Epitácio Pessoa, President of Brazil (1919–1922).

• Joao Pessoa (Paraíba): Capital city named after João Pessoa Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, governor of Paraíba assassinated in 1930.

---

Rest of South America

Countries & Sovereign States

• Colombia: Named after explorer Christopher Columbus.

• Bolivia: Named in honor of Simón Bolívar, Venezuelan military leader and liberator of northern South America.

Capital & Major Cities

• Sucre (Bolivia): Constitutional capital named after Antonio José de Sucre, Venezuelan independence hero and companion of Simón Bolívar.

• Sarteneja / San Martin (Argentina & Peru): Dozens of towns across Argentina, Peru, and Colombia are named General San Martín in honor of José de San Martín, national hero and liberator of southern South America.

• Valdupar (Colombia): Named after indigenous chief Eupar (Valle de Upar).

• O'Higgins Region / Puerto O'Higgins (Chile): Named after Bernardo O'Higgins, supreme director and founding hero of Chilean independence.

• Valdivia (Chile): Named after Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia.

• George Town (Guyana): Capital named after King George III of Great Britain.

• Paramaribo (Suriname) / Cayenne (French Guiana): Port Louis / Cayenne named after French monarchs (King Louis XIV).

• Barinas / Ciudad Bolívar (Venezuela): Formerly Angostura, renamed in 1846 to honor Simón Bolívar.

• Maracaibo (Venezuela): Traditionally believed to be named after local Indigenous Cacique Mara.

Geographic Features & Regions

• Magellan Strait (Chile/Argentina): Named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who navigated it in 1520.

• Darwin Sound / Mount Darwin (Chile): Named after naturalist Charles Darwin during his voyage on HMS Beagle.

• O'Higgins Glacier & Lake O'Higgins (Chile/Argentina): Named after Bernardo O'Higgins.

• -ends-

• How many more do you know? Please contact me through comments. 

• This post will be updated later today and in the future.

  Please share links to your favourite posts.

People named after places. Place names in the USA And Worldwide Named after Famous Or Given People

 How many places you have visited have their names given to famous people?

I remember as a schoolchild learning that Florence Nightingale was named after the Italian city of Florence. I recently wondered why Americans use Madison as a first name. Then I realised that Madison Avenue is a well known and prestigious street in New York.

I did a mental search and came up with these results.

Americans named after cities or with the same name as cities

Paris Hilton and Paris Jackson are both named after Paris, France. 

|Two actors with the first name Austin have the same name as Austin, Texas.

Actor Phoenix Joaquin is named after Phoenix, Arizona.

Other city names used by American actors, stars, singers and writers include Orlando as in Orlando, Florida and Brooklyn after the area of New York in the USA. London, after London England Kingston, after Kingston in Jamaica, Sydney, after Sydney, Australia, Savannah, from Savannah, USA,  

American cities named after famous people.

Columbus. 

For example, Columbus Ohio. Christopher Columbus.

If you want to do a search, the technical word for naming a person after a place is a toponym. Nym means name from the Greek for name or word.

Then I did a Gemini search and received these satisfying detailed results.

Many cities, states, counties, and landmarks across the United States are named after historic figures, military leaders, and world leaders.

U.S. States

• Washington: Named after George Washington, the first U.S. President.

• Louisiana: Named after King Louis XIV of France.

• Maryland: Named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England.

• Virginia & West Virginia: Named in honor of Queen Elizabeth I of England (known as the "Virgin Queen").

• North & South Carolina: Named after King Charles I of England (Carolus in Latin).

• Georgia: Named after King George II of Great Britain.

• Pennsylvania: Named in honor of Admiral William Penn (father of founder William Penn).

• New York: Named after James, Duke of York (later King James II of England).

• Major Cities

  • Washington, D.C.: Named after George Washington (and Christopher Columbus for the District of Columbia).

  • Houston, Texas: Named after Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas and military general.

  • Austin, Texas: Named after Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas."

  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Named after British statesman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

  • Louisville, Kentucky: Named after King Louis XVI of France for French support during the American Revolution.

  • St. Louis, Missouri: Named after King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis).

  • Cleveland, Ohio: Named after Revolutionary War General Moses Cleaveland.

  • Lincoln, Nebraska: Named after Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President.

  • Columbus, Ohio: Named after explorer Christopher Columbus.

  • Jacksonville, Florida: Named after Andrew Jackson, seventh U.S. President and first military governor of Florida.

  • Counties & Regional Places

    • Jefferson County / City: Named after Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson County is the single most common county name in the U.S., spanning 26 states).

    • Franklin County / Cities: Named after Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (appearing in 25 states, alongside dozens of towns named Franklin).

    • Pulaski County: Named after Polish military commander Kazimierz Pulaski, who fought in the American Revolutionary War (appearing across 7 states).

    • Lafayette / Fayetteville: Cities across numerous states named after the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolutionary War.

    ---

    Famous Landmarks & Structures

    • Pikes Peak (Colorado): Named after explorer Zebulon Pike.

    • Mt. McKinley (Alaska, historically): Named after President William McKinley (officially renamed Denali in 2015).

    • Hoover Dam (Nevada/Arizona): Named after 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover.

    • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK - NYC): Renamed in 1963 to honor President John F. Kennedy.

    • Lincoln Memorial / Washington Monument (D.C.): Iconic monuments dedicated to Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

How many more do you know? Please contact me through comments. 

-ends-

This post will be updated later today and in the future.

Please share links to your favourite posts.

Different Ways Of Learning German

Flag of Germany. 

 I am learning German daily using Duolingo.

A friend of mine from Toastmasters, after I gave a talk on learning languages, told me that he is learning German. To obtain German citizenship you have to achieve a moderate, level 3, level of German understanding, speaking, listening reading aloud and silent sight reading, if you are of German descent on one or both sides of your parentage (maybe grandparents?), and higher level A on the language test if you have no parentage, eg if you have lived there or worked for a German company overseas and want to apply for citizenship, which would give you financial benefits, rights to stay, help overseas, as well as kudos and pride and sense of belonging. 

Phone and Laptop Setting To German

My friend was using various methods of immersion. These included setting his phone and laptop to the German language. 

Wikipedia

I found it useful with Spanish and Italian once I reached a higher level, to run Wikipedia articles in the other language after reading an article in English.

German Language Stickers

My friend was also using stickers.

 I can also use sticky labels in the middle of my copy of the book German in 10 minutes a day. ISBN 0-916682-99-4.

When I could not find my book yesterday, I looked up stickers on Amazon. I had to be careful with what my search words found, I nearly clicked on cheap 'German stickers' which were not German words but German landmarks.  

My German stickers are in German only, not bilingual with English. So I had to look up some of the words.

Easy Obvious German - English Words

die Garage - the garage

der Garten - the garden (as in kindergarden)

das Haus - the house

die Kamera - the camera

die Lampe - the lamp

das Papier - the paper

das Sofa - the sofa

Useful Websites for learning German

amazon books

German in 10 minutes a day, by Kershul, Bilingual Books Inc ISBN 0-916682-99-4.

amazon stickers

duolingo.com

wikipedia language settings

wikivoyage phrasebook German

-ends-

Please follow my blogs and share links to your favourite posts.

Ordering Books For Holiday Reading. What Do ISBN & EAN Numbers Mean?

 ISBN

The ISBN number, short for International Standard Book Identifier is the 13 digit book order code which gives the country, publisher, author and title. It also specifies paperback, hardback, or e-book, to be sure you get the right version. 

Old Or New Editions and Versions?

You might want the book's corrected or longer, up-to-date, illustrated version with the fancy cover. Or the cheaper, compact and lighter to carry, old version, a back number. Or even a rare and valuable, uncensored, signed first edition. 

The ISBN is used when ordering, or when the shop is stock taking, and when tracking. 

It is easy to understand that as a customer you might want the latest edition of a restaurant guide. Later reviews. Current prices and phone numbers. But a historian or historical novelist might want the oldest version of a street guide. 

An older edition of William Shakespeare's play will be priced differently to this year's. The same goes for Mrs Beeton's Cookery book which has been reprinted many times.

EAN Numbers

An ISBN number is printed in what is known as an EAN-13 format. The first two digits are the country.

EAN stands for European Article Number. It is an acronym. Acronym comes from the Greek for top and name, meaning new word formed from initial letters. 

Acronym

Acro, as in acropolis, top of the city. Ak from a previous language means top, tip, sharp point. EAN for European was changed to International Article Number but the term EAN is so well entrenched that it is still used. 

Nym means name. Put the two together and you get acronym.

Bar Codes & Prices

The bar code 9000 after the ISBN means there is no set price for the book. So as inflation increases, and so do printing costs and packaging, the price of the book goes up. 

Amazon or Kindle refused to accept a book with a marked price, because customers get irate at being charged more when the original typesetting of the first edition included the old price.

When I take books to events I may have two copies of the book. One has the cheaper price because I bought it last year.  After I have sold that one, the other book has the higher price because I ordered it in the current year and paid more postage. 

A separate issue is whether to pay in the local currency, the currency of the card (which may be where the card is registered, where you used to live, rather than were you are now, if you are an expat with two homes.

If the bank is charging you to change currency, you are better off using the home currency.

 

Books For Holiday Reading. My Books By Angela Lansbury

 Benjamin Disraeli, Queen Victoria's favourite MP, and Prime Minister, said: 'When I want to read a book, I write one.'

I am the same. When I travel, I take with me my latest book. 

Maybe you like to read books, or read your own books, or would like to read my books. The quick way for you and a bookseller to find and order a book is to use the ISBN number. Each number stands for an essential piece of information about the book, saving typing time, all abbreviated to 13 numbers.

ISBN

The ISBN number, short for International Standard Book Identifier is the 13 digit book order code which gives the country, publisher, author and title. It also specifies paperback, hardback, or e-book, to be sure you get the right version, the up-to-date or back number edition.

EAN

EAN stands for European Article Number. It is an acronym. 

9000 and Marked Prices

The bar code 9000 after the ISBN means there is no set price for the book, nothing stamped on it about the price. 

Missing Prices Disadvantages - For Authors The first time you print or self-publish a book the lack of price seems a nuisance. You will have to spend time putting the price on each copy of the book. You need to remember the printing cost, the author's time and money, the delivery or packaging and postage if the book has been forwarded. 

You have to print stickers and spend time attaching them. That is another cost, effort and time. Risk of forgetting, having one book without. Or write slowly and neatly on sticker.

Printed Prices & Price Stickers On Books

But, if you hurry the sticking, because you are impatient, or the cashier or customer wants the job done, you risk having messy stickers at an angle. 

You could buy labels and write on them, ending up with amateur-looking hand-written price labels.

I remember thinking, why can't I just include the price on the cover? Many books do have printed prices on the cover.

Pricing Books - Price at £4.99p Or Not?

But there are other unforeseeable reasons the price goes up, or changes. 

Traditionally, shops list items at 99p or £1.99 or £4.99 or £9.99 which sounds cheaper than one pound or two pounds or five pounds or ten pounds. Why? Because you hear one, or two, or four or nine. 

However, if you are an author selling books to individual buyers at a book signing, it is a nuisance to have to stop and find 1p for each transaction. Instead of scrabbling in your purse, you need a see-through. zip-up purse containing several one penny coins. 

But the one penny coins are rare. Besides, lots of people don't want them. They might tell you don't bother. Keep the one penny. Whilst some people think that pennies add up to pounds, others think it is not worth my time to hang around to give or gain a penny.

This year, 2026, the volunteer cashier at Writer's Summer School book room told everybody that prices listed ending in 99 pence would be rounded up because it was quicker and easier for them.  They wanted to have whole numbers when calculating the percentage paid to the Writers' Holiday account, and the remainder forwarded to the book's author. 

The price on the cover of every book had to be changed. The price listed on the stock sheet handed by the author to the shop at the start of the week had to be updated. The price card inside the box which the cashier took each time a book was sold had to be updated. 

 

BOOKS ON POETRY & WRITING POETRY 

Angela’s Alarming Animals 

Poetry Pets & Pests 

 A-Z giving each animal’s characteristics such as diet. 

ISBN 978-1-291-49395-5

Lulu ID 13987252

Poetry Workshop Workbook  

Write new poems! 

Lulu ID 2228624 

Seriously Funny Poems

ID 931758 www.lulu.com 

ISBN 978-1-291-49752-6 

Illustrated large book with large pages and large print text written as one long poem, for children age 4-8. 

Writing Poetry For Fun 

BOOKS ON ETIQUETTE 

Etiquette For Every Occasion 

ISBN 071344710X

How To be A Bridesmaid.  

ISBN 0-7063-7003-1

This book was used for a demo on How to use Singapore Library presented to the American Women’s Association. 

Wedding Etiquette 

ISBN 0-7063-6868-1 

ISBN 0-7063-6538-0

The Wedding Planner

ISBN 0 7063 6867 3

BOOKS ON SPEECHES 

How to Be The Best Man  

Ward Lock 1st edition, later Cassell. Reprinted many times. 

ISBN 0-7063-6748-0

Wedding Speeches & Toasts 

ISBN 0 7063  7003 1

ISBN 0 7063-6642-5 (Published in 1988)

BOOKS ON QUOTATIONS 

Quick Quotations for Successful Speeches.  

A to Z by subject matter. 

ISBN 978-1-4461-9007-4 

You can take a quick look at the contents and a quotation on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quick-Quotations-Angela-Lansbury/dp/1291599193

Who Said What When 

Quotations for every day of the year. 

ISBN 978-1-291-94876-9

BOOKS ON TRAVEL 

Enquire Within Upon Travel & Holidays 

ISBN 0 214  20281 X

Jewish Travel Tales & Guidebook  

Anne Frank, Auschwitz, Houdini, Marilyn Monroe, Levi jeans, Singer sewing, many more stories and sightseeing 

Birthplaces, success stories, museums, cemeteries, entrepreneurs, singers and stars. 

ID 10658062

ISBN 978-1-4477-1091-2

Unforgettable British Weekends 

Weekend Breaks. Burgh island and many more.  

Paperback

ISBN 0-907070-37X

Hardback

ISBN 0-907070-361

BOOKS - FICTION 

Larry The Talking Labrador, Cathy the Cat And The Escaped Lions  

A schoolgirl’s dictatorial dog drags her around a zoo,  interviewing vegetarian wildlife to help her homework project, pursued by an irate, carnivorous, escaped lion. 

ISBN 978-1-326-32169-7

90000

The Tailor and The Spy 

ISBN 978-1-326-73649

Humorous historical escape and emigration, inspired by Angela’s ancestor, great-grandfather, reluctantly leaving Lviv in his homeland Ukraine, chasing love, via London’s chaotic, vibrant East End in the 1880s. 

HUMOROUS MEMOIRS  

Dating Online  Did I Really Write That

ISBN 978-1-84799-934-4 9000

Lulu ID 1040874

Embarrassing Moments  

(Book 1) 2025. 

ISBN 9798296557582 . 

Travel and Teaching in Singapore, UK, USA. 

WRITING & LANGUAGE 

Improve your English 

Examples, instructions and an A-Z of adjectives, nouns and names, so you can easily add alliteration, assonance and rhyme.

Paperback 

ISBN 978-1-4717-9749-1 

CHAPTERS & POEMS IN ANTHOLOGIES 

Contributor of short stories, poems and articles to numerous anthologies.

In the And Us series of anthologies by Carolyn Street I have some poems. 

 

Addictions and Us Compiled by Carolyn Street 2023  

ISBN 978 981-189 0383 

Chapter 11 Confessions of a Hoarder, Keeping Order

Poem entitled Hoarding Plane Traveller. 

Chapter 12 Fighting Fat, Getti ng Fit - Addicted to Eating Potatoes, Chocolates and Freebies. By Angela Lansbury.

Grief and Us

compiled by Carolyn Street 2023 

ISBN 978-981-18-6532-9 

Chapter 5 Coping with Bereavement and Depression by Angela Lansbury.

(No humorous poems in that book, although I recommend reading humorous poetry and watching humorous films or videos.)

Writing and Us  

Compiled By Carolyn Street 2024

ISBN 978-981-18-9039-0

Interlude 1 Author Angela Lansbury Title A Writer Is A Wronger (Poem) 

Interlude 2 Travel Writers' Rites

Interlude 3 A Plate of Poetry

Chapter 2 Get A Headstart With Your Writing

Chapter 3 Tips On Types of Writing

Chapter 4 Writing On Travel

Please share links to your favourite poems on my blog posts. I have more blogs on travel, and fashion.  

Also see my latest book, the amusing Embarrassing Moments on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk or Lulu.com . I have about nineteen other books on these websites.  

FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS

Soup and Sympathy

(A private family history book written for the Parkin family, our former neighbours in Hatch End.)

Pearl Sharot This is your life

Trevor Sharot This is your life

Lulu ID 11622157

COMMUNITY HISTORY

The History of Harrovians Speakers Club

SONGS

THE MAD MUSICIAN A Musical (110 songs)

ISBN 978-1-4709-8370-3

-ends-

Please follow me, bookmark and share links to your favourite posts.

Updated Saturday September 5th. Updated Monday September 7th 2026.