OneGeology

Words and names

Geology has had a subtle and sometimes not so subtle influence on the English language — from place names to a few surnames and currently fashionable political media metaphors.

Web links:

• Explore the origin of some English surnames...
• Clay
• Flint
• ...or some occupational names.
• Goldsmith, Slater
• Politics
• Geology in political language.
• Many place names reflect the landscape and geology on which they are situated.
• Nantwich in Cheshire, UK, is derived from old English names for brine springs or wells. The salt from Nantwich has been used extensively since Roman times.
• Coalville, as the name suggests is an old coal mining town in Leicestershire, UK.
• Telluride, USA.