Place Name

Sexhow, North Yorkshire, England

Where the dander is up but the knowhow is lacking!

Introduction:

Welcome to Sexhow, a hamlet whose name has caused more raised eyebrows than a dodgy haircut. It is the sort of place where tourists approach locals with hesitant voices, unsure whether they are pronouncing it correctly or accidentally asking for something scandalous.

Despite the cheeky sound, Sexhow is as innocent as they come. Its charm lies in its tiny size, its rural calm and the delightful absurdity of a name that sounds far naughtier than it actually is. Grab your sense of humour and wander into the quirks of Sexhow.

Toponymy:

Let’s break this name down:

Sex – likely from Old Norse or Old English meaning six. No saucy business here, just a number that has caused centuries of giggles.

How – an Old English term meaning hill or mound. It appears in many Yorkshire place names and usually refers to a landscape feature.

Put together, Sexhow becomes a name meaning something like six hills. Innocent, descriptive and absolutely guaranteed to make visitors pause before saying it aloud.

Historical Context:

The earliest known usage of Sexhow appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Sexhowe. Whether the scribes chuckled as they wrote it down is lost to history, but the name has endured for nearly a thousand years.

Local lore suggests the hamlet’s name has sparked jokes, blushes and misunderstandings for generations. Some say it was a clever way to confuse travellers. Others think the locals simply enjoyed watching newcomers struggle to say it with a straight face.

Whatever the truth, Sexhow remains one of North Yorkshire’s most delightfully mischievous names.

Points of Interest:

Places near Sexhow worth a visit:

• Hutton Rudby – a charming village with riverside walks and cosy shops.

• Cod Beck Reservoir – peaceful water, wildlife and scenic strolls.

• Hutton Rudby Museum – small but full of local history and curiosities.

• Yarm – a bustling high street with excellent food and independent shops.

• The Black Bull Inn – a traditional pub perfect for ale, food and overheard jokes about the hamlet’s name.

Notable Figures:

People linked to Sexhow or North Yorkshire:

• James Cook – famed explorer born in nearby Marton.

• Sir William Strickland – seventeenth century politician and landowner.

• Sir Thomas Fairfax – Civil War commander with regional ties.

• Charlotte Brontë – literary icon connected to Yorkshire’s creative heritage.

• David Hockney – artist inspired by Yorkshire’s colours and landscapes.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself at Sexhow, take a moment to enjoy the cheeky name and the peaceful surroundings. Whether you are wandering the lanes, laughing at the signpost or pondering its ancient origins, this hamlet offers charm, humour and a touch of Yorkshire magic.

For more peculiar place names across the UK and Ireland, visit www.strangeplacenames.com. The country has a boat load of gems that will leave you giggling and wondering how on earth these names ever stuck.

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