There’s a lake in Massachusetts referred to by the locals as “Lake Webster”. But, it’s real name is “Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg”. It might be the longest place name in the United States and is definitely one of the longest in the world.
I know you’re going to try so here’s a hint on how to pronounce it:
“chaar·gaa·guh·gaag·man·chaa·guh·gaag·chaw·buh·nuh·guhng·guh·maag”
Lake Webster (I’ll stick with the much-easier-to-pronounce name) is made up of three smaller bodies of water in a row connected by two small…let’s generously call them “straights”…that turn the three lakes into one.
Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is a Nipmuc Indian word that has had a few different attempts at being translated. One of the translations that is generally-accepted as accurate is really boring and goes like this: “English knifemen and Nipmuc Indians at the Border or Neutral Fishing Place”. I’m not really sure what that means, but I think you’ll agree that the translation is quite uninteresting.
However, there’s a different translation. One that I prefer. Some claim it’s the result of a hoax by a guy named Larry Daly back in 1920. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. The translation goes like this:
“You fish on your side, I fish on my side, and nobody fishes in the middle.”
Whenever I think of Lake Webster and the (probably a practical joke) translation of its real name, I’m reminded of American politics.
I understand that people believe in different things. But the way it’s supposed to work is that we work to find a common ground and do what’s best for everyone. Politicians should be listening to each other, taking the best ideas regardless of where they come from, and coming up with a plan on which we can all agree.
But that’s not what happens.
Watch a “debate” in the House or Senate, and you’ll see it’s not a debate at all. It’s just a bunch of people, who have already made up their minds, reading to each other. No one is listening and nobody is ever going to change their opinion because of what someone else read to them.
If you’ve read any of my stuff, you know that I like to have words that precisely convey what I’m trying to say. I believe it’s important that we have just the right words available in order to communicate effectively.
When I try to find the exact word I want to use to describe how American politics work, I keep coming up blank. So, maybe we need to coin a new one. We need a word that will be instantly recognizable and conveys the frustration we all feel when the political parties can’t work together to do what’s best for America.
In honor of the 100-year anniversary of Larry Daly’s (supposed) practical joke, I propose we do a little cultural appropriation and create a new alternate translation that we can use for the next hundred years:
“The Left stays on their side, the Right stays on their side, and nobody meets in the middle.”
So, the next time you’re looking for just the right word to describe American politics, there’s a shorthand you can use. Just say “chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg” and we’ll all know what you mean.
Helpful Links:
How to Pronounce The Name
Related Link:
Fixing the Brand
