Piddlehinton, Et Al

I met a chap in an English pub and asked from whence he came. "Harumph! I hail from Piddlehinton", he pompously did proclaim! "And you sir?", he asked and I proudly puffed out my chest. "I come from Bean Blossom, Indiana, USA, out of the great Midwest!" With that we guffawed and began a dialogue about curious city names, Quaffing pints of Guinness along, as we staked outrageous claims. "Have you heard of Cripple Creek or French Lick?", I reported. "No! 'Ave you 'eard of Mousehole or Puddletown?", he retorted. I proffered the names of Bad Axe, Buzzards Bay and a place called Hazard. He countered with Cockermouth, Muggleswick and a place named Lizard! "If you visit the colonies stop by Pigeon Forge and Intercourse!" "While you're 'ere visit Thunderjug and Giggleswick of course!" He taunted me with names like Liphook, Lickey End and Crackpot, But I boasted of Eek, Waxahachie, Bunkie and the burg of Jackpot! He babbled on telling of Beanacre, North Piddle and Balls Cross. I depleted my reservoir of names - I could only think of La Crosse! He challenged me to a game of darts - the board was down the hall, But in my delicate boozy condition, I could hardly see the wall! I excused myself admitting that in darts and city names he was deft. He was still muttering Birdlip, Fugglestone and Diddlebury as I left! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved