Podunk
Encyclopedia
American English
American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States....
, Podunk, podunk, or Podunk Hollow denotes or describes a place of small size or "in the middle of nowhere", and is often used in the upper case as a placeholder name
Placeholder name
Placeholder names are words that can refer to objects or people whose names are either temporarily forgotten, irrelevant, or unknown in the context in which they are being discussed...
in a context of dismissing significance or importance.
Etymology
The word is of AlgonquianAlgonquian languages
The Algonquian languages also Algonkian) are a subfamily of Native American languages which includes most of the languages in the Algic language family. The name of the Algonquian language family is distinguished from the orthographically similar Algonquin dialect of the Ojibwe language, which is a...
origin; it denoted both the Podunk people
Podunk (people)
The Podunks were an indigenous people living in some of the southern parts of what came to be known as New England. The Europeans referred to these people as the Podunk, but they did not have a name for themselves, or a written language, and they spoke an Algonquian dialect...
and marshy locations.
The earliest citation in the Dictionary of American Regional English
Dictionary of American Regional English
The Dictionary of American Regional English is a record of American English as spoken in the United States, from its beginning up to the present...
is from Samuel Griswold Goodrich
Samuel Griswold Goodrich
Samuel Griswold Goodrich was an American author, better known under the pseudonym Peter Parley.-Biography:Goodrich was born at Ridgefield, Connecticut as the son of a Congregational minister...
's 1840 book entitled "The Politician of Podunk", apparently intended for the young. It begins
- Solomon Waxtend was a shoemaker of Podunk, a small village of New York some forty years ago.
In the course of fewer than 600 words, it portrays Waxtend as being drawn by his interest in public affairs
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
into becoming a representative in the General Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
, finding himself unsuited to the role, and returning to his trade http://books.google.com/books?id=ThcUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA109-IA2&lpg=PA109-IA2&dq=%22politician+of+podunk%22&source=web&ots=6o1WiqWsA5&sig=OODdWiECEj8TLeV-72hlt5qPFYo. It could easily have been composed with the explicit intention of clarifying and endorsing Apelles's proverb Ne sutor ultra crepidam or "Cobbler, stick to your last." Whether or not the author intended to evoke more than the place near Ulysses, New York
Podunk, Ulysses, New York
Podunk is an old hamlet located along Taughannock Creek in the town of Ulysses, just south of Trumansburg, Tompkins County, New York State.-External links:*...
by the name "Podunk", the village (however small) seems not to be deprecated. More likely, it is meant to exemplify in the author's mind "plain, honest people" as opposed to more sophisticated people with questionable values.
In 1869, Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
wrote an article called "Mr. Beecher and the Clergy" defending a friend, the Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, whose preaching had come under criticism. Among its roughly 1800 words, he said of the controversy
- They even know it in Podunk, wherever that may be. It excited a two-line paragraph there.
He was then living in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. In 1871 he moved to Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
(and then built his landmark residence
Mark Twain House
The Mark Twain House and Museum was the home of Mark Twain from 1874 to 1891 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Before 1874, Twain had lived in Hannibal, Missouri. The architectural style of the 19-room house is Victorian Gothic...
, adjacent to that of Beecher's first cousin, Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American abolitionist and author. Her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was a depiction of life for African-Americans under slavery; it reached millions as a novel and play, and became influential in the United States and United Kingdom...
, and within 4 miles (6.4 km) of the Podunk River). Elmira
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
is within some 30 miles (48.3 km) of Podunk, New York, so it is not clear which village Twain was referring to.
An 1875 documentation of dismissive usage is:
- Sometimes the newest State, or the youngest county or town of a State is nicknamed "Old Podunk," or whatever it may be, by its affectionate inhabitants, as though their home was an ancient figure in national history.
The origin has also been credited to a former village in East Brookfield, Massachusetts
East Brookfield, Massachusetts
East Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,183 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place East Brookfield, please see the article East Brookfield , Massachusetts.- History :East Brookfield was...
that was named Podunk.
Places named Podunk
The United States Board on Geographic NamesUnited States Board on Geographic Names
The United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:...
lists five places named "Podunk":
- Podunk, Connecticut, an area of the town of GuilfordGuilford, ConnecticutGuilford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, that borders Madison, Branford, North Branford and Durham, and is situated on I-95 and the coast. The population was 21,398 at the 2000 census...
in New Haven CountyNew Haven County, ConnecticutNew Haven County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2010 Census, the county population is 862,477 making it the third most populated county in Connecticut. There are 1,340 people per square mile... - Podunk, Ulysses, New YorkPodunk, Ulysses, New YorkPodunk is an old hamlet located along Taughannock Creek in the town of Ulysses, just south of Trumansburg, Tompkins County, New York State.-External links:*...
, a hamlet in the town of Ulysses in Tompkins CountyTompkins County, New YorkTompkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and comprises the whole of the Ithaca metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,564. The county seat is Ithaca, and the county is home to Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community... - Podunk, Vermont, an area of the town of WardsboroWardsboro, VermontWardsboro is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 854 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Wardsboro Center, West Wardsboro and South Wardsboro.-History:...
in Windham CountyWindham County, VermontWindham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 44,513. Its shire town is Newfane.-Geography:According to the U.S... - Three places, over 100 miles (160.9 km) apart, in MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
:- Podunk, Michigan, a community on Podunk Lake in Barry CountyBarry County, Michigan-Highways:* M-37* M-43* M-50* M-66* M-78* M-79* M-89* M-179-Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 56,755 people, 21,035 households, and 15,986 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 23,876 housing units at an average density of...
- Podunk, Michigan, a crossroads in Gladwin CountyGladwin County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 26,023 people, 10,561 households, and 7,614 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 16,828 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
- Podunk, Michigan, an alternative name for Rogers City, MI in Presque Isle County, MichiganPresque Isle County, MichiganPresque Isle County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,411. The county seat is Rogers City....
- Podunk, Michigan, a community on Podunk Lake in Barry County
Other areas known as Podunk include:
- An area nine miles (14 km) south of Shattuck, OklahomaShattuck, OklahomaShattuck is a town in Ellis County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,356 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Shattuck is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
(now a ghost townGhost townA ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
) in Ellis CountyEllis County, OklahomaEllis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 4,075. Its county seat is Arnett.-Geography:... - An area in Dixie National ForestDixie National ForestDixie National Forest is a United States National Forest in Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. It occupies almost two million acres and stretches for about 170 miles across southern Utah. The largest national forest in Utah, it straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River...
containing a guard station known as the Podunk Guard Station - Within Worcester County, MassachusettsWorcester County, Massachusetts-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
(and involving three New England townNew England townThe New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
s, each adjacent to at least one of the other two):- Podunk, an unincorporated area in East BrookfieldEast Brookfield, MassachusettsEast Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,183 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place East Brookfield, please see the article East Brookfield , Massachusetts.- History :East Brookfield was...
, according to The Straight Dope - The Podunk Pike, which runs from SturbridgeSturbridge, MassachusettsSturbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is home to Old Sturbridge Village living history museum and other sites of historical interest such as Tantiusques.The population was 9,268 at the 2010 census...
, north through East BrookfieldEast Brookfield, MassachusettsEast Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,183 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place East Brookfield, please see the article East Brookfield , Massachusetts.- History :East Brookfield was...
, and into SpencerSpencer, MassachusettsSpencer is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,688 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Spencer, please see the article Spencer , Massachusetts....
.
- Podunk, an unincorporated area in East Brookfield
- An area of northwestern Rhode Island 3 miles (4.8 km) WNW of Pascoag
- An alternative spelling; "Podonque" is found as the name of a road leading into a settlement area (intersection of County roads 23 and 243) which is still sparsely populated, believed to having been established in the 1800s as: Podonque, Town of Rushford, New YorkRushford, New YorkRushford is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,259 at the 2000 census.The Town of Rushford is in the northwest part of Allegany County and is northeast of Olean, New York....
, Allegany County, NY. - Poeville, NevadaPoeville, NevadaPoeville, also known as Peavine until 1863, is the site of a historical mining town, established in 1864. John Poe, a professional promoter from Michigan allegedly related to Edgar Allan Poe, discovered rich gold and silver veins in 1862 on the slopes of Peavine Mountain...
a ghost townGhost townA ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
nicknamed Poedunk after John PoeJohn PoeJohn Poe is the name of:* John P. Poe, Sr. , American jurist & politician* Johnny Poe , American football coach* John Poe was a prospector, and in 1870s founded the mining town Poeville, Nevada...
founder of the mining camp. - An area near the Erie CanalErie CanalThe Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
lift bridgeLift bridgeA vertical-lift bridge or lift bridge is a type of movable bridge in which a span rises vertically while remaining parallel with the deck....
in Holley, New YorkHolley, New YorkHolley is a village in the town of Murray in Orleans County, New York, United States. The population was 1,802 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :The village of Holley was incorporated in 1850...
. - Podunk, Wisconsin, a now defunct town containing a sizable Bradner, Charnley & Co. logging camp, in Door County, Wisconsin.
The Podunk name in Hartford County
The land for the town of South WindsorSouth Windsor, Connecticut
-History:In 1659, Thomas Burnham purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, chief sachem of the Podunk Indians. Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children...
, and East Windsor
East Windsor, Connecticut
East Windsor is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 11,162 at the 2010 census.The town has five villages: Broad Brook, Melrose, Scantic, Warehouse Point and Windsorville.-Area:...
north-east of Hartford, Connecticut, is said to have been sold to settlers by the Podunk Indians. About half the area of the town drains into the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
via the roughly 13 miles (20.9 km) Podunk River and its tributaries (as does parts of northwestern East Hartford). In 1659, Thomas Burnham
Thomas Burnham
Thomas Burnham was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. A lawyer and landowner, he arrived in the American Colonies in 1637, and lived most of his adult live in Connecticut. He was among the earliest puritan settlers in Connecticut, living in Podunk and finally settling in Hartford,...
purchased most of this land from Tan-tonimo, Chief Sachem of the Podunk, on which he afterwards lived. Before his death he had divided the greater part of his estate among his children by deed, with the condition that it should remain in the family, a part of which is still in possession of his descendants.
As of 2007, highway signs reading "Podunk River" mark many of the dozen or so road crossings of the river. Vintons Millpond contains (barring peak rain or meltoff) much of the river's water, impounded by a dam. At the dam is the "Mill on the River", a restaurant and banquet hall in the restored premises of the last of a series of gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s that have existed since before 1750s, often bearing the name: the "Podunk Mill".
A street and several businesses in South Windsor also include "Podunk" in their names, especially adjacent to Ellington Road, which also passes the site of the mills.
Other uses
- The loading dock in Steamboat WillieSteamboat WillieSteamboat Willie is a 1928 American animated short film directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. It was produced in black-and-white by The Walt Disney Studio and released by Celebrity Productions. The cartoon is considered the debut of Mickey Mouse, and as his girlfriend Minnie, but the characters...
(1928), the first Disney cartoon to feature synchronized sound, is named "Po Dunk Landing". - The protagonist in Secret of EvermoreSecret of EvermoreSecret of Evermore is a role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released by Square Soft in North America on October 1, 1995. In February 1996, it saw release in the PAL territories of Europe and Australia...
lives in a town called "Podunk". - In the cancelled translation of MotherMother (video game), planned to be released in English as Earth Bound , is a role-playing video game developed by Nintendo Tokyo Research and Development Products in...
for NES the Main character's home is a town called Podunk.