The oddest street name in England?

Surely it must be this one in York.

Here’s the story. Back in 1505, it was known as Whitnourwhatnourgate. It’s also been called Whitney Whatneygate.

What does it mean? Well, take your pick. In Middle English, it might have meant Nothing at All, or Neither One Thing Nor the Other. Or maybe What a Street!

In the 17th and 18th centuries, this street, the shortest in York, was also sometimes known as Salvey Rents or Salvegate.

That’s quite enough oddness for one day, so the featured image is of York Minster in spring time.

For Becky’s Square Odds. …

… and the Which Way photo challenge

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

64 thoughts on “The oddest street name in England?”

  6. What a cute name! I’ll have no pics therefore just a tale: There is a mountain in the Odenwald called Rimdidim. Not an old name at all: before 1898 it was known as Arnstein, then a helluva storm shaved off all the trees and apparently a forest official said in the local dialect that one could now look “rimdidim” = all round about. Of course, that view is now again completely covered by tall trees.

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  12. Oh yes that’s an amazingly odd name. It’s almost musical which rather goes with York Minster hosting a wonderful Early Music Festival. I see the programme each year and one fine day I am going to make it! In the oddest street names competition think Norwich’s ‘Rampant Horse Street’ might come in the top five?

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  17. A lovely view of the Minster, Margaret
    And a great street name. I think we are particularly good at this in England. There’s a great one in Whitstable – a narrow passage called Squeeze Gut Alley

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