It's not entirely uncommon while on a road trip to pass a town sign that reads something strange and a bit unusual, and usually all it entails is a brief laugh before moving on. There are some town names, though, that really make travelers think in terms of how a town or city got that name and where it came from. Many places are named after natural landscape features or based on the history leading up to their founding, but others... Well, let's just say their names don't exactly spark any kind of warm and fuzzy feelings. It's time to get awkward with these towns that have names that are far from normal.
Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico
Some will say they've heard of Truth Or Consequences but not many know the story behind this New Mexico town. With a population of less than 10,000, this town didn't always bear such an unusual name. In fact, the name change was actually the result of a TV show of the same name, Truth or Consequences. The show was aired for the first time on NBC radio in 1940 and went on until 1957. In 1950, the town of Truth Or Consequences, formerly known as Hot Springs, changed its name as part of a contest the radio show was having, and the town became the temporary filming location as a prize. The TV show host, Robert Edwards, continued to visit the town once a year afterward, and the town referred to his visits as 'Fiesta,' turning it into an annual festival.
Boogertown, North Carolina
For those who enjoy a good legend, Boogertown has a great story in the history behind its name. The story goes back to the days when Moonshine production was in full swing - and also illegal at the time - and supposedly, Boogertown got its name from some of the distillers who were fighting to protect their distilling location and operations. In an attempt to scare the brave souls who wanted to explore the woods around Boogertown (which was not named until that time), the distillers spread an urban legend about a Boogeyman who haunted the area. The intent was to keep people out while they could go about their business, unbeknownst to others while they engaged in illegal operations. As a result of this legend, the name Boogertown stuck, and it's still an unincorporated community to this day.
Knockemstiff, Ohio
An unusual name for sure, Knockemstiff also goes by a couple of other names, including Shady Glen or Glenn Shade, neither of which are nearly as interesting as its original. While other towns have one story for why they carry such unusual names, Knockemstiff has several and there could be any number of reasons as to why this community has held onto such a strange namesake. One story tells of how the name came to be after a massive fight broke out in the town, earning it a name that implies fighting. In a similar vein, the second origin for the name comes from a story about a woman who went to a preacher requesting advice about her unfaithful husband, to which the preacher responded with, "Knock 'em stiff!" The third, and most likely of the stories, is that 'Knockemstiff' was actually a slang term for the Moonshine that was made in this area - combined with the rowdy reputation that the town had during its early days.
Hell For Certain, Kentucky
A quite unusual, albeit scary, name, Hell For Certain is often called 'Hell-Fer-Sartin' by the locals in an attempt to make the community sound far less foreboding. While the actual name for the town in which Hell For certain is located is actually Dryhill (which isn't much better), it's the original name that keeps tourists interested in the local lore. The locals have many stories about how the town got its somewhat unfortunate, somewhat intriguing, name, but the most popular involves that of a missionary who ventured out to Kentucky. Upon his return, when asked where he'd been, the missionary responded with an answer that's presumed to go something along the lines of, "I don't know, but it was Hell for certain!"
Satan's Kingdom, Massachusetts
Satan's Kingdom is the name of another incorporated village that's in the town of Northfield, Massachusetts. While the name implies something dark and sinister, it's origins have nothing to do with the land itself - but rather, what happened on it, and its history.
The early settlers to Massachusetts arrived during the 1670s and ended up in an unfortunate situation during King Phillip's War with the Native Americans who already dwelled on the land. Of course, they defended their homes against the settlers, but the land was also known for its rough and rugged terrain, making it a challenge for the settlers on nearly every level. Thus, the name 'Satan's Kingdom' was appropriately fitting, at the time.