Showing posts with label counties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label counties. Show all posts

Monday, July 23, 2007

Please define Suffolk

I work at a law school, and we often receive some unusual questions, which I can generally answer or refer to more appropriate office, but this one had me stumped.

Me: Good morning Suffolk Law School
Lady: Yes, can you tell me what the law school is named for?
Me: Since we are located in Suffolk County, I would assume we are named after the county.
Lady: And what does the word Suffolk mean?
Me: Sorry?
Lady: If you are named after it, it must be of the utmost importance.
Me: I'm afraid I don't know what it means.
Lady: Well how many counties are in Massachusetts?
Me: I'm a Massachusetts transplant, I don't know that one either.

The conversation got worse from there. I soon felt like I was on an episode of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" and apparently I am not.

After the woman hung up, I did a quick Google search and I can now tell you that:
  • Suffolk County was named after a county in eastern England and the word means "southern people" as opposed to Norfolk County which means "northern people."
  • There are 14 counties in Massachusetts
  • Suffolk County is 58.52 square miles
  • The Massachusetts state cookie is chocolate chip ;o)