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- Everyone knows that London is the Big Smoke, and Edinburgh Auld Reekie. But what are the nicknames of Coventry, Glasgow and Norwich?
- Where can you find Copperopolis, Woolopolis, Linenopolis and Chocolate City?
- Do you know the difference between Polo Mint City and The Hole With A Mint?
Most importantly: is your home town on the map?
We've put together a map of nicknames for UK cities (red), towns/villages (yellow), and regions. The map contains more than 270 places across the whole of the UK.
Can you help?
We want to grow the map with many more suggestions from readers. If you know a nickname that's missing, or you have a better alternative for one of the existing names, then either leave a comment below or email [email protected]. We'll add your name to an acknowledgements section below.
Note: this is a map of places, not people. Nicknames such as Scousers, Geordies, Cockneys, etc. are not included... that may well become a future map.
Is there an index to place names?
Yes indeedy. Here's a Google Sheet, giving the real names of every place on the map, alongside some explanations.
Who helped?
The first 120 places were plotted by Matt Brown with key help from Rhys B Davies. A special mention to Tyler McChantelle, who contributed many additions. This list was particularly helpful for Scottish nicknames. If you've got a suggestion that we use, we'll add it to a list of contributors here.
Thanks to Peel Acres, Emily Adamson, Jules Alexander, Ruth Allcoat, Emily Ashford, Emily Behan, Laura Blower-Harris, Richard Bratby, Lisa Cal-Bo, Richard Carroll, Jill Collier, 'The Dark Air Moves Through the Trees at Night', Paul Davies, Alex Dawson, Mark Drysdale, Tim Dunn, Johnny Fox, Martin Francis, Elisabeth Galea, The GroundHopper, Tom Hamilton, Ian Harvey, Chris Hayes, John Hinde Collection, Jo Mo, Turmut Hoer, Eleanor M Jackson, Simon Johnson, Martin Ketteringham, Kirst, David Kirwin, Matt Knifton, Jim Lambe, Liz and John Lamont, Peter Lawrence, Marcus Lester-George, David Lewis, Andy Mackenzie, Magoniareview, Joe Mawson, Tyler McChantelle, Roberto Mingrino, Amy Newbold, Mike Newman, Helen Nicholson, Josh Nullis, Eleana Overett, Jane Owen, Holly Phoenix, Nicola Piggott, 'Rebecca', Bryn Rees, Dave Sifleet, Carol Stanier, The Stolly, Charlene Sumnall, James Tanner, Maureen Taphouse, Ryan Temple-Summers, T Dev, Mike Turner, Andrew Weatherill, Adrian Wheeler, Tom Wibberley.
Pedant's note: Britain is a geographic term, meaning England, Scotland and Wales (but not Northern Ireland). British, by contrast, can be a term of identity implying somebody or something from the UK (cf the British passport). It is in this sense we use the term British, and hence why Northern Ireland is included.
Like this? See also our map of Fake Britain, showing fictional places in England, Scotland and Wales.
