Found this really cool thing – excerpts of an atlas where all the names are investigated to find out their original meaning, and then translated into English. It’s quite fascinating, and as someone who has had thoughts of designing the occasional country, a real eye opener.
Atlas of True Names
That’s pretty cool. I had a look to see what Oxford turns in to under this transformation and was amused at the results. Too bad it stops before it gets to Australia.
Oxen Ford (an early form of automobile) I seem to recall. Most place-names in Tasmania are English (turn the map of Tasmania 180 deg and Kent, for instance, turns out to be bottom right).
Melton Mobray (English/Tasmanian Midlands)= “Grilled Cheese on Toast”
etc.