Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is a street in York, England, known for its short length and unusual name.[1] A continuation of Colliergate, it runs south to meet Pavement, Fossgate, and the Stonebow, a distance of perhaps 80 feet (24 m), and is adjoined by St Saviourgate on its eastern side. St Crux Parish Hall, originally one of York's medieval churches, backs onto it.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.jpg/220px-Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/OG_Games_1%C2%BD_Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.jpg/220px-OG_Games_1%C2%BD_Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.jpg)
The street's name was first recorded in 1505 as Whitnourwhatnourgate, and later appears as Whitney Whatneygate.[2] It seems to mean "neither-one-thing-nor-the-other street",[1] although a plaque on the end of the parish hall suggests the meaning "what a street!" In 17th and 18th century documents, the alternative name Salvey Rents or Salvegate is also found.[2]
Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma is the title of a novel by York author Martyn Clayton.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Butterfield, David (11 August 2018). "British street names: short, simple and unpretentious". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Houses: Swinegate—Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate". An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in City of York. British History Online.
- ^ Clayton, Martyn (2011). Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma. Lulu. ISBN 978-1-4461-3426-9.
External links
editMedia related to Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate at Wikimedia Commons
53°57′33″N 1°04′45″W / 53.959180°N 1.079240°W