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Nauseous Names

Posted: Jul 23, 2008

The spin doctors were not yet weaving their manipulative magic. The wordsmiths at the local chambers of commerce had not yet developed their concept of branding. Yes, we go back to the simple and sometimes ugly muddy days of North Carolina when the state had a lot of features but very few names. People in charge of naming rivers, streams, towns and hilltops didn’t have a lot of time to ponder the complexities of their task. They simply spit out what was on the tip of their tongues and it wasn’t always pretty.


Today I am going to begin a list of Nauseous North Carolina Names. The names are pretty sickening especially by modern standards. There are many more but I want to hear from you and get your names. So check out those history books and maps and let me hear from you. Here are my Top Ten Nauseous North Carolina names:


1. Maggot Spring – Haywood County – named for spring covered with what looked like insect larva

2. Pickens Nose – A mountain in southern Haywood County

3. Greasy Creek – nasty looking creek in Alexander County

4. Ugly Fork – creek in Haywood County

5. Devils Gut – stream in Martin County

6. Huggins Hell – heavy rhododendron thicket of Swain County

7. Ripshin Mountain – rugged mountainous area in Burke County

8. Black Ankle – Robeson County

9. Kill ‘Em Swamp – southeast Hertford County

10. Poison Swamp – Iredell County

Copyright 2008 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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There's a book about North Carolina place names (by William S. Powell, I believe), and the one that always stood out to me, and still elicits a chuckle is unprintable, but I'll improvise: "S" Britches Creek. It's somewhere in the western part of the state.
Click to view my profile jdlewis76
GOLO member since May 6, 2008
July 23, 2008 8:44 a.m.
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Of course, now that I google the uncensored name, I'm getting back a lot of results showing the location to be California (there's a surprise), but I'm positive I read it in that book about North Carolina.
Click to view my profile jdlewis76
GOLO member since May 6, 2008
July 23, 2008 8:47 a.m.
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jdlewis - you are correct. The creek you mentioned is in Buncombe County. Today locals call it Dirty Britches Creek.
Click to view my profile bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
July 23, 2008 8:54 a.m.
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How about Moccasin Creek in Johnston County?
grnpnd7
GOLO member since April 22, 2009
July 23, 2008 10:14 a.m.
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Sandy Bottoms...near Asheville.
Click to view my profile camphost
GOLO member since August 23, 2007
July 23, 2008 10:24 a.m.
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I always thought the Tar River was kind of disgusting. Who would want to swim in a river of tar?
singularity1111
July 23, 2008 10:35 a.m.
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The Great Dismal Swamp. I always loved that name as a kid and still get a smile when I hear it.
sillyauntdi
July 23, 2008 10:35 a.m.
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Lizard Lick always gives me the giggles
Click to view my profile Mmaker52
GOLO member since July 5, 2007
July 23, 2008 10:58 a.m.
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Good...good......yes, you're all on the right track! Interesting note on the Tar River. Historian William S. Powell believes the name came from the Indian word "Tau" meaning "river of health."
Click to view my profile bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
July 23, 2008 11:00 a.m.
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Cape Fear has always been one that really stuck with me - I lived in Erwin growing up and never actually swam in the river. Guess the "Fear" part had something to do with that! I think Lizard Lick is one of those names that you instantly get a mental picture of - someone licking a lizard! YUCK! :P And Pin Hook - dont know how that little cross roads got its name but it brings an imagine of something sharp to me! :)
fishnett5977
July 23, 2008 11:07 a.m.
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