▲ 188 ▼ why does almost nobody live here? (lemmy.world) submitted 4 months ago by Karmanopoly@lemmy.world to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.world 72 comments fedilink hide all child comments No major cities
[–] whatalute@lemmy.world 43 points 4 months ago (3 children) Nope, the name was decided with coin flip. Lol Could ended up as Boston. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Penny permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] _NetNomad@fedia.io 14 points 4 months ago i thought you were kidding until i saw the wikipedia link. that's fascinating, and very cool that they still have the penny permalink fedilink source parent [–] porcoesphino@mander.xyz 10 points 4 months ago (1 child) Going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole: [Portland, Maine] was formally founded in 1786 and named after the English Isle of Portland. In turn, the city of Portland, Oregon, was named after Portland, Maine. I failed at finding how the Isle of Portland got its name but saw this: In Dorset, England: The origin of the name "Portland" on the Isle of Portland is uncertain, but theories include: It may be a corruption of the Celtic word "Port Lann" ("harbor by the cliff"). It may derive from the Old English "portelond" ("land by the harbor"). It may refer to a fortified harbor or headland. https://etymologyworld.com/item/portland Its the first time I've seen the site though and that page feels a bit AI generated permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 5 points 4 months ago That's a little disappointing. Inland port -> Portland seemed nice and tidy permalink fedilink source parent [–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 3 points 4 months ago (1 child) But why was Portland one of the options? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] whatalute@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago One of the founders (Francis Pettygrove) was originally from Portland Maine, and the other was from Boston. They both wanted to name the new city after their hometown. It's entirely possible that part of Pettygrove why wanted to name it after his hometown is because he thought it would be fitting for river port city. But idk if he ever stated anything to that effect. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] _NetNomad@fedia.io 14 points 4 months ago i thought you were kidding until i saw the wikipedia link. that's fascinating, and very cool that they still have the penny permalink fedilink source parent
[–] porcoesphino@mander.xyz 10 points 4 months ago (1 child) Going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole: [Portland, Maine] was formally founded in 1786 and named after the English Isle of Portland. In turn, the city of Portland, Oregon, was named after Portland, Maine. I failed at finding how the Isle of Portland got its name but saw this: In Dorset, England: The origin of the name "Portland" on the Isle of Portland is uncertain, but theories include: It may be a corruption of the Celtic word "Port Lann" ("harbor by the cliff"). It may derive from the Old English "portelond" ("land by the harbor"). It may refer to a fortified harbor or headland. https://etymologyworld.com/item/portland Its the first time I've seen the site though and that page feels a bit AI generated permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 5 points 4 months ago That's a little disappointing. Inland port -> Portland seemed nice and tidy permalink fedilink source parent
[–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 5 points 4 months ago That's a little disappointing. Inland port -> Portland seemed nice and tidy permalink fedilink source parent
[–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 3 points 4 months ago (1 child) But why was Portland one of the options? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] whatalute@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago One of the founders (Francis Pettygrove) was originally from Portland Maine, and the other was from Boston. They both wanted to name the new city after their hometown. It's entirely possible that part of Pettygrove why wanted to name it after his hometown is because he thought it would be fitting for river port city. But idk if he ever stated anything to that effect. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] whatalute@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago One of the founders (Francis Pettygrove) was originally from Portland Maine, and the other was from Boston. They both wanted to name the new city after their hometown. It's entirely possible that part of Pettygrove why wanted to name it after his hometown is because he thought it would be fitting for river port city. But idk if he ever stated anything to that effect. permalink fedilink source parent
