On the way to Boring, Oregon.
Some people claim their town is boring. But somehow it just takes on another meaning when you’re in Boring, Oregon – a real, live town.
According to a completely unscientific survey conducted by the genealogy website FindMyPast.com, the most unfortunately-named town in the United States is Toad Suck, Ark., which makes its debut at the number one spot. Climax, Ga. falls to number two, while Boring, Ore. and Boring, Md. tie for the third spot. While we can’t vouch for accuracy of these rankings, Roachtown, Ill. could probably creep up a few more spots.
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Of course, each town’s name is rooted in its very own history. According to urban legend, Toad Suck originally dates back to a time when steamboats ruled the waterways and it wasn’t uncommon to see workers drinking heavily: “They suck on the bottle ’til they swell up like toads,” goes the saying.
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Others have more innocent explanations. Climax received its name, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “because it was the highest point on the rail line between Savannah and the Chattahoochee River.” Truth be told, there are probably worse things than saying you’re from Climax, Georgia, but isn’t that in the eye of the beholder?
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The complete list includes:
- Toad Suck, Arkansas
- Climax, Georgia
- Boring, Oregon and Maryland
- Hooker, Oklahoma
- Assawoman, Maryland
- Belchertown, Massachusetts
- Roachtown, Illinois
- Loveladies, New Jersey
- Squabbletown, California
- Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky
- Chicken, Alaska
Erica Ho is a contributor at TIME and the editor of Map Happy. Find her on Twitter at @ericamho and Google+. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.