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IS IT REALLY CALLED THAT?

This presentation by Jane Messenger from COGNA 2005 explores the complexities of geomorphic feature naming, revealing that many geographic names may not accurately convey their classifications. By examining over 605,000 geomorphic features across 50 states and D.C., Messenger proposes a structured methodology for determining the true generics of feature names and comparing them with their recognized classes. The findings highlight a significant number of questionable names and stressed the need for accurate and validated geographic naming conventions, urging updates and translations in official databases.

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IS IT REALLY CALLED THAT?

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  1. IS IT REALLY CALLED THAT? OR Why is that creek called a school? (Because it’s full of fish?!) COGNA 2005 Presentation Jane Messenger

  2. Researched • Geomorphic features • 605,000+ (50 states + DC)

  3. Geomorphic Features

  4. PLAN OF ATTACK • Determine the true generic • Compare the true generic to the feature class • Ask “Does the generic fit the class?”

  5. PLAN OF ATTACK • 1st pass through I made last word = generic • 2nd pass through 2nd word = generic • 3rd pass through 3rd word = generic • 4th pass through 4th word = generic • 5th pass through 5th word = generic • 6th pass through 6th word = generic

  6. PROBLEM • Not all names downloaded from GNIS are truly the last word of the name • Dipper, The - OR • Feature class - valley • Not all last words are the generic • Mount Saint Helens, OR • Feature class - summit

  7. PLAN OF ATTACK • Determine the true generic • North Prong South Fork Little Medicine Bow River, WY • Real Generic is Prong • Class is Stream • East Bay Little Saint Germain Lake, WI • Real Generic is Bay • Class is Lake • Lava Falls Rapids, AZ • Real Generic is Rapids • Class is Rapids

  8. PROBLEM • Not all names are in American • Aawela, HI (Summit) • Aa = rough lava; wela = hot • Hot rough lava • Puerto Grande, NM (Cliff) • Puerto = port, harbor, refuge, mountain pass • Grande = large, big, great, grand • Large port or harbor or refuge or mountain pass • Cap au Gris, IL (Ridge) • Cap = cape • au = of • Gris = grey • Cape of Grey OR Cap (Eng.) + of Grey (Fr.)??

  9. PLAN OF ATTACK • Translate what names I could

  10. PROBLEM • I do not understand any Native American languages (but my Hawaiian is improving) • My Spanish is so-so (but a whole lot better now than it was) • My French is worse than my Spanish was • My Cajun is the pits • I can recognize German (I think)

  11. PLAN OF ATTACK Physically look at all names • > 8 words (3) • > 7 words (10) • > 6 words (95) • > 5 words (590) • > 4 words (3,413) • > 3 words (21,965) • > 2 words (111,307) • > 1 word (602,885) • All words (605,116) (VERY QUICKLY)

  12. PLAN OF ATTACK • Determine the true generic • North Arm Three Arm Bay, AK • Middle Arm Three Arm Bay, AK • South Arm Three Arm Bay, AK • Real Generic is Arm • Class is Bay • Three Arm Bay, AK • Real Generic is Bay • Class is Bay

  13. PLAN OF ATTACK • Compare real generic to GNIS recognized generics • For the feature’s identified class • GNIS now recognizes 1900+

  14. PROBLEM • Feature names without a generic • The Eye Opener, AK • Feature class - Island • Witches Cauldron, OR • Feature class - Crater • Shakespear Shoulder, AK • Feature class - Summit • Turn Off the Wash, AZ • Feature class - Bend • The Ant and the Yellowjacket, ID • Feature class - Arch

  15. PROBLEM • Feature names without a GNIS recognized generic • Cerritos de Jaspe, NM • Spanish for Small Hills of Jasper • Feature class - Ridge • Ben Nevis, WA • Is it Scottish for Mount Nevis? • Or is it a commemorative name for Mr. Ben Nevis? • Feature class - Summit • Rattlesnake Gutt, MD • Feature class - Stream

  16. PROBLEM • One word names • Califernia, AK, Oklahoma, MO & Egypt, MO • Feature class - Area • Oak, NY • Feature class - Cape • Palisades, OR • Feature class - Cliff • Hogback, CA • Feature class - Ridge • Pothole, AZ • Feature class - Lake

  17. RESULTS • 26,756 (4.4%) names I consider questionable • 21,520 generics in the exact or related form • 16,840 Found in GNIS but not for the associated class • False Generic • 4,665 Found in GNIS not spelled the same as name generic • GNIS Recognized TermReal Generic Slue Slu Cataract Cataracts Palisades Palisade

  18. RESULTS • 26,756 names I consider questionable • 4,312 nouns used as generics not recognized by GNIS • Egypt (MO, UT, WA) • Jumpingqbranch, AR • 938 names that I have no idea what they mean

  19. Recommendations • States verify questionable names • Correct • Translate • Validate • Information may be in Description or History fields • May require field research

  20. Recommendations • GNIS update list of recognized generics for a class • GNIS provide translation of name • In Description Field • In a new field • Provide translation as a search result

  21. SO… IS CASTLE SCHOOL, KY REALLY A STREAM? COGNA 2005 Presentation Jane Messenger

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