Since 1882 a certain major Dutch town has annually been changing its name for a period of three days each year. What's the more village-like name it adopts for the period of Carnival when the government of the city is taken over by one Prince Amadeiro?

zbeckabee

Once a year 's-Hertogenbosch changes its name to "Oeteldonk" (Frog Hill). This change only lasts for three days of Carnaval, a Catholic holiday for celebrating the days before Lent. In 1882 the name Oeteldonk was founded and the "Oeteldonkse Club" had its origin in the same year. During carnival our mayor hands over the key of the city to Prince Carnival and his "Peer". The "Peer" is the mayor of the city for 3 days and carnival takes over our town. I can only "assume" that Prince Amadeiro is Prince Carnival??? http://members.home.nl/c.peperkamp/oetel.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27s-Hertogenbosch Nov 15 07, 10:14 AM

zbeckabee

Assumption correct: "The most important dignitary and royal ruler is Prince Carnival whose official name and title are: His Royal Highness Prince Amadeiro Ricosto di Carnavallo, Knight of the Ksam, Lord and Master of Oeteldonk and the surrounding water-free marshes and sandy deserts etc. etc." http://www.oeteldonk.org/engels/prince.html Nov 15 07, 10:16 AM

Flem-ish

Well done. As to the English translation of the name Oetel-donk "frog-hill" is a possibility, but much more likely is "fools' village". Donk can be a dry place in a marshy area, but the oldest meaning refers to "a semi- underground hiding place for cattle, the roof of which is covered with dung to keep the shelter warm". Just as you also find grass-covered roofs in some areas. Oetel is often used in combination with "stom" (stupid) and even cruder is "oetlul" which I prefer not to translate. An English website that deals with the origin of the name I could not find. If you can make your way through the Dutch of this site you might get some extra information. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oeteldonk Oeteldonk - Wikipedia Nov 15 07, 4:07 PM