Punkeydoodles Corners, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Punkeydoodles Corners is an unofficial hamlet
in the Wilmot Township
of southwestern Ontario
, in Canada
, known for its strange name
and frequent sign theft.
The origin of the name is somewhat disputed. Most claims date back to an inn and tavern
located at the Corner during the late nineteenth century. The most frequently cited legend claims that the local innkeeper had a habit of singing "Yankee Doodle
", which sounded more like "Punkey Doodle" to the tavern guests. Other stories link the name to an old Victorian word for frittering away time, or a nickname given to a lazy pumpkin farmer by his irritated wife. "Corners" refers to both the geographical feature of the intersecting roads as well as the convergence of Waterloo
, Oxford
, and Perth
regional boundaries.
The most prominent moment in Punkeydoodles Corners history was Canada Day
1982, when Joe Clark
was present for festivities. A post office was opened for one day to issue commemorative stamps.
While common spelling and punctuation vary, the official name is "Punkeydoodles Corners".
The name of the hamlet frequently appears in lists of humorous place names.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in the Wilmot Township
Wilmot, Ontario
The Township of Wilmot is a rural township in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Its 2006 Census population was 17,097.-Communities:*Baden* Mannheim*New Dundee*New Hamburg* Petersburg* Phillipsburg*St...
of southwestern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, known for its strange name
and frequent sign theft.
The origin of the name is somewhat disputed. Most claims date back to an inn and tavern
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
located at the Corner during the late nineteenth century. The most frequently cited legend claims that the local innkeeper had a habit of singing "Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle
"Yankee Doodle" is a well-known Anglo-American song, the origin of which dates back to the Seven Years' War. It is often sung patriotically in the United States today and is the state anthem of Connecticut...
", which sounded more like "Punkey Doodle" to the tavern guests. Other stories link the name to an old Victorian word for frittering away time, or a nickname given to a lazy pumpkin farmer by his irritated wife. "Corners" refers to both the geographical feature of the intersecting roads as well as the convergence of Waterloo
Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is a regional municipality located in Southern Ontario, Canada. It consists of the cities of Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo, and the townships of Wellesley, Woolwich, Wilmot, and North Dumfries. It is often referred to as the Region of Waterloo or just...
, Oxford
Oxford County, Ontario
Oxford County is a regional municipality and census division of the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Southern portion of the province. The regional seat is in Woodstock...
, and Perth
Perth County, Ontario
Perth County is a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario. The county seat is Stratford and is located in Southwestern Ontario, west of Toronto. It encompasses , 90% of which is classified as prime agricultural land...
regional boundaries.
Canada Day
Canada Day , formerly Dominion Day , is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act , which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire...
1982, when Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
was present for festivities. A post office was opened for one day to issue commemorative stamps.
While common spelling and punctuation vary, the official name is "Punkeydoodles Corners".
The name of the hamlet frequently appears in lists of humorous place names.
External links
- Punkeydoodles Corners at Geographical Names of Canada