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Wales and New Zealand usually clash on the rugby field but now they're battling over a few letters. Size does matter, well at least it does if you’re laying claim to owning the longest placename in the world! New Zealand and Wales are used to competing on the rugby field but now they are disputing ownership of tongue twisting, elongated appellations or, more exactly, whose name is biggest.
“Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch” in Welsh meaning "St. Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool of Llantysilio of the red cave" or "St. Mary's (Church) by the white aspen over the whirlpool, and St. Tysilio's (Church) by the red cave" is a town in northern Wales and weighs in at 58 letters. However New Zealanders dispute this as a 19th century invention and themselves lay claim to the title of longest name in the world with ‘Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu” which in Maori means "The summit of the hill, where Tamatea, who is known as the land eater, slid down, climbed up and swallowed mountains, played on his nose flute to his loved one". Known locally as “Taumata” this hill commemorates a great Maori chief, so powerful that he could literally eat mountains. However he was a gentle giant with a sensitive side, delighting in playing his nose flute to his loved ones.
©Jen Longshaw
2001-2006
Please do not copy in any manner, print or electronic,
without permission from the author.
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If
a New Zealander asks if you're feeling crook should you be insulted
or touched at his consideration? And why is going to bed with a hottie
no reason to get excited in the Land of the Long White Cloud?
Reaching 1000 feet in height this spectacularly named hill is situated
in Southern Hawkes Bay on the east coast of the north island of New Zealand.
A gargantuan effort with 85 letters Welsh opponents claim that knees and
mountain climbing were added only recently whereas local residents of
the area state that the hill has been known by that name for generations
and is the genuine article.