[HPforGrownups] Re: Cultural clues to locations/origins

[Susan Hall]

No: HPFGUIDX 22723

Catherine said

>However, as
>someone else mentioned how Hogsmeade sounded Cumbrian, I have another
>theory about how the name evolved.  Hogwarts = the school very close
>to Hogsmeade

I'm not convinced about Cumbria.  Cumbrian names have a strong norse
influence, and the Cumbrian equivalent to "meade" (Old English for Meadow -
full derivation for Hogsmeade "Field full of Pigs") is "garth". Northumbria
and East Coast Scotland have similar Norse influences.  In fact, I always
think Hogsmeade as a name jars a bit given a Scottish location for Hogwarts.
It sounds more Oxfordshire. Ottery St Catchpole, on the other hand, sounds
so beautifully Devon/Dorset border.

Susan