John Goff wrote for people of all reasonings--historians, linguists, anthropologists, geographers, cartographers, folklorists, and those ubiquitous intelligent readers. Comprising one of the most informative and appealing contributions to the study of toponymy, his short studies have never before been widely available. Placenames of Georgia brings together the sketches that appeared in the Georgia Mineral Newsletter and other longer articles so that all interested in Georgia and the Southeast can share Professor Goff's intimate knowledge of the history and geography of his state and region, his linguistic rigor, and his appreciation of the folklore surrounding many of Georgia's names.

Ever wonder how Rough and Ready got its name? Or what Stonesthrow is a stone's throw from? And surely the story behind Climax can't be...that thrilling, can it? The curious Georgian can't help pondering the seemingly endless supply of head-scratching place names that dot this state. Luckily, the intrepid Cathy Kaemmerlen stands ready to unravel the enigmas--Enigma is, in fact, a Georgia town--behind the state's most astonishing appellations. Cow Hell, Gum Pond, Boxankle and Lord a Mercy Cove? One town owes its name to a random sign that fell off a railcar, while another memorializes a broken bone suffered by a cockfight spectator. And just how many place names were inspired by insolent mules? Come on in to find out.