No, the cat didn’t jump on my keyboard. It’s an actual name for a lake that is located in the town of Webster in Massachusetts, United States. Some people call it by its alternate name - Lake Chaubunagungamaug, while others prefer to call it simply Lake Webster, after the name of the town. The 45-letter name for this body of fresh water is often cited as the longest place name in the United States and one of the longest in the world. The name is so bizarre that even the authorities couldn’t spell it. Many road signs pointing to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg have spelling mistakes in them.

The lake has been known, from early times, by various names such as Chabanaguncamogue, Chaubanagogum, and Chaubunagungamaug. Historians agree that all these names bear the same meaning - "Fishing Place at the Boundary". For this great pond, divided by narrow channels into three larger bodies of water, was famed throughout the area and was the central gathering place for the Nipmuc Indians and their friends.

One of the many misspelled road signs. Can you spot the misspelling? Photo credit