We Tried To Say This 45-Letter Massachusetts Lake Name And Pulled A Muscle

Lake chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg

Massachusetts loves to troll tourists with its town names. They say “Peabody” as “PEE-biddy,” for crying out loud. But none comes close to the name of this lake. It looks like what happens when a cat starts tap dancing on your keyboard.

This tongue-twister of a lake boasts 45 letters, making it the longest place name in the United States. Go ahead, try saying it five times fast. We’ll wait. (Still waiting…) Yeah, we can’t do it either.

“Webster” Lake Is A Big Fat Lie

Think you’re visiting ‘Webster Lake’ for your summer vacay? WRONG. That cute New England spot with pretty trees and kids splashing around is actually Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.

That’s right: ‘Webster Lake’ is just a cop-out for people who can’t handle the verbal gymnastics of the real name.

It Has More G’s Than Feet of Depth

While it rocks the third-longest single-word place name ON THE PLANET (and #1 in America), Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg contains 15 G’s but averages only 13 feet deep.

You could literally stand up in most parts of this nationally famous lake.

It Has Roots in the Algonquian Language

The lake’s epic name comes from the Algonquian language of the Nipmuc people. According to popular belief, it means ‘Fishing Place at the Boundaries—Neutral Meeting Grounds.’

Basically, it was the Switzerland of Native American territories. However, anthropologist Ives Goddard suggests a simpler meaning: ‘lake divided by islands.’ Boo.

When Settlers Arrived, The Name Got LONGER

Just when you thought 45 letters was enough, history proves us wrong.

When English settlers started using the lake for fishing and hanging out, the name apparently EXPANDED to mean ‘English knifemen and Nipmuck Indians at the boundary or neutral fishing place.’

It’s like the lake got more syllables with every new person who showed up. Imagine if we did this with Times Square.

The Government Can’t Handle It

This lake has several alternative names because apparently even the U.S. government can’t deal with the full version. It recognizes Lake Chaubunagungamaug as the official name. A relative lightweight at only 22 letters.

Local town records went with ‘Chabunagungamaug Pond,’ proving that even in the 1600s, government forms had character limits.

Locals Fought To Keep Every Single ‘G’

In the 1950s, some monsters suggested shortening the lake’s name. Locals weren’t having it and fought back with poetic rage.

Bertha A. Joslin penned the iconic lines: ‘Touch not a g!’ No impious hand shall wrest one from that noble name.’ She went on to declare that the lake’s 15 G’s would stand ‘while nations gaze and wonder.’

Even the Local Chamber of Commerce Can’t Decide

In 2009, following six years of press reports, the local Chamber of Commerce agreed to change the spelling on its signs. But a 45-letter version of the name arrayed in a semicircle is still used in many places.

Meanwhile, Webster public schools use their own long form of the name.

A Beautiful Lake Despite Its Complicated Name

No matter what you call it, the lake is genuinely beautiful. It has many houses on its banks, some vacation homes and some year-round residences. It’s popular for water activities such as boating and jet skiing.

There’s a public beach called Memorial Beach located on (you guessed it) Memorial Beach Drive. There’s even a country music venue called Indian Ranch on the north side, where you can listen to twangy tunes while gazing at that unspellable natural wonder.

You Can Fuel Up While You’re There

Webster Lake has two marinas for all your boating needs. Lakeview Marine is the only full-service marine store and service shop on the lake, perfect for when your jet ski decides to quit mid-lake.

Point Breeze is a restaurant with a small marina that has the only dockside gas pump on the lake.

It’s Actually Multiple Islands In A Trench Coat

“Webster” Lake has about 7–8 islands, some with houses and others too small for habitation. Birch Island is a large island on the west edge of Middle Pond with many homes and an establishment called Waterfront Mary’s (formerly Birch Island Pavilion).

Then there’s Misery Island, a small island that’s sometimes called Skunk Island. Not the prettiest, but at least ‘Misery Island’ is easy to pronounce.

Yes, You Can Actually Visit It

If this listicle has somehow convinced you to see America’s most grammatically challenging lake, you can find it at 157 South Shore Road, Webster, Massachusetts, 01570.

Just type ‘Webster Lake’ and secretly apologize to Bertha Joslin’s ghost when you arrive.