By now you're probably familiar with our Underrated Cities series – but this week, we were "inspired" to "mix it up a little" (i.e. Jimmy kept on going on and on about how funny these places are 🙄)
Instead of being underrated, these places are reversed.
No idea what we're talking about? No sweat, most of the time we don't either!
But we do know how to use Wikipedia, and made liberal use of it below, learning more about places that are – in their own unique ways – reversed. |
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Ah, Alaska. AyKay. The second-youngest US state.
When you think of Alaska, you think snow, rugged wilderness, and the fact that mosquitos are the official state bird(...?)
Contrary to its name, Unalaska is not particularly un-Alaskan. In fact it seems even more Alaskan than the rest of Alaska? Partly because it's part of Alaska, and partly because it's waaaay out in the Bering Sea, halfway to Russia.
Unalaska is the name of both the island and the main city (let's not get into the whole 'Dutch Harbor' drama). And how did this reversed name come about?
"The name “Unalaska” does not reflect a thwarted attempt to secede from the 49th State" says historian Ray Hudson, for probably the millionth time. In contrast, the name probably comes from a Russian evolution of a native Aleut name, with the 'Un' referencing the geographic location on the Alaska Peninsula. |
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The capital city of Canada – Ottawa – has a lot going for it. For proof, you can easily find many, many articles and posts with relaxed, totally secure titles like "Ottawa Is NOT Boring, Seriously".
Sometimes though, no matter how cool and energetic and buzzy a city is – and to emphasise, Ottawa is all of those things and more – a point comes where you have to say "we ain't that."
And that's how we like to believe Nottawa was named. The smoking gun evidence? A Dad Band from Nottawa who take their shoes off inside and proudly rock the name ' Not Ottawa'.
Case closed.
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Where to start?
Just off the 45, halfway between Ordbend and Hamilton City, 'bout 2 hours from Sacramento, is a point on the map with no buildings and the name 'Rotavele'.
What is Rotavele backwards? Elevator.
Someone, at some point, found a patch of empty ground and thought "my God - this is my chance." And then they fulfilled their life's journey of naming a place 'elevator, but backwards'.
Please, if you have any insight on how this came to be, we'll pay you in laughter and possibly bags.
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Are you looking to, ahem, reverse your mistake of not owning enough Minaal gear? Luckily we inserted this super natural segue, just for you! |
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In the extremely unlikely event that you have a "favorite reversed city", hit reply and let us know!
Sreehc,
J, D, & the Minaal team |
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