Sock City, others get book look
NATURAL STATE NAMES Arkansas certainly has its share of colorfully coined communities. There’s Hogeye, Blue Eye, Greasy Valley, Oil Trough, Possum Grape, Jumbo, Fifty-Six, Forty Four Nimrod, and that’s just Turkey Scratch-ing the surface.
These spots and many others are featured in “Naming Arkansas: Curious Place Names from Greasy Corner to Sock City,” a new book from Daniel Boice out Monday from Arcadia Publishing.
Boice, the library director at the University of Arkansas-Monticello, says the idea for the book came about when he moved to Arkansas and was curious about the pronunciation of places like Desha and Elaine.
“I lived in South Carolina for 13 years and that state is chock full of towns that are not pronounced anything like their spelling,” says Boice, who is originally from Michigan. “When I got to Arkansas I noticed there were town and county names I needed help with, so I started collecting pronunciation information.”
From there, he researched town and county histories and discovered “Arkansas Place Names: From Apt to Zinc by Way of Oil Trough, Toad Suck, Smackover and Ink,” the 1986 book by journalist Ernie Deane.
“I ran across Ernie Deane’s wonderful book, and I was browsing county histories and ended up with an ever-growing database,” Boice says.
“Naming Arkansas” is divided into eight chapters including “Indigenous, French and Early Settlers,” “Natural Features,” “Railroad Names” and “Curious and Curiouser.”
When applicable, Boice includes a pronunciation guide: Norvel in Crittenden County is “NOR-vuhl,” Delight in Pike County is “Duh-LITE,” Sevier County seat De Queen is “DEEkween,” etc.
He is also recording a series of one-minute “Naming Arkansas” radio spots for Little Rock public radio station KUAR. Check them out at https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/show/naming-arkansas.
Boice is quick to add that he’s no expert at Arkansas place names and is eager to get feedback from readers.
“I’m looking forward to finding out more, getting corrections and hearing from people around the state.”
A GRAMMY RUSH
Congratulations to the indefatigable Bobby Rush, who won his third Grammy during the 66th Grammy Awards on Jan. 28 in Los Angeles. The 90-yearold singer, who grew up in Pine Bluff, won in the Best Traditional Blues Album category for his 2023 LP “All My Love for You.”