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YONK:
1. n, an inhabitant of Yonkers, NY
2. v, to live in Yonkers, NY. also YONK, YONKS, YONKED, YONKER, YONKING
3.adj YONKED descriptor of a person living or the act of living in Yonkers, NY, sometimes used in a pejorative sense.
EX: "We bought this old house and are re-habbing it--we are so yonked!"
4. n, YONKED a weblog that chronicles the life, trials, tribulations, and other of two lovebirds and their new child in an old house in Yonkers, NY.




Stephanie

Adam


Sunday, December 18, 2005

Interesting History about Park Hill Funicular

I found a REALLY interesting article about the old funicular that used to run up Park Hill. (we live at the bottom of Park Hill) Not sure what a funicular is? Look it up here!

Our theory about our very large garage is that rich people who lived up Park Hill went to work using the old funicular and then would take the bus/tram/trolley/subway to NYC.

When the funicular closed down, people started driving down the hill. The people who lived at the bottom, realizing that rich people wanted a place to park, started putting up large garages all over the place. All along S. Broadway, there are old brick garage buildings. Our theory is that's how we ended up with such a spacious garage. (Even a couple of blocks off of Broadway)

However, the article states that the funicular didn't close down until 1937. And we theorize that our garage was built in the 1920's. So perhaps the garages were the cause of the death of the funicular, rather than the other way around? Some more research is probably in order!

An interesting fact is that the funicular was designed by Otis Elevator, which was started in Yonkers in 1853 by Elisha Otis. WIKIPEDIA ENTRY

Comments on "Interesting History about Park Hill Funicular"

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:47 PM) : 

I've lived in Yonkers all my life, and I have never heard of the term "Yonk," or "Yonked." And I'm well acquainted with stories of "The Itch," and expressions such as "goin' down the Square," or goin' down the Village." Most recently, I've heard Yonkers referred to as "the Big Y-O." I figure I'm a second and a half generation *Yonkersite* (my grandparents having come over on the boat from the old country), and the term "Yonk" doesn't seem authentic to me.

 

Blogger DADAPALOOZA said ... (8:20 PM) : 

Thanks for the comment--

Yonked is our word-- used somewhat facetiously. We'd love to get it in wider usage, and are doing our part to make a more interesting language.

Other words we've thought of for our new found status as citizens of the fair hamburg of Yonkers are:
yonkette, yonkee, yonker, yonkerino, Sir Yonks-a-lot, Yonkerian, yonkerite, yonkster, and Yonkeronian.


I like Yonkersite-- or Yonkerzeit...

But we're sticking with Yonk!

Thanks for reading!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:55 PM) : 

IMO, it is an ugly, disrespectful term because its inherent condescension is obvious. As far as getting the expression into wider usage is concerned, I may be wrong but I don't think it will sit right with the majority of your audience.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:41 PM) : 

why not simple go back in history and say "Yonk Herr" the Dutch orgin of Yonkers meaning young gentleman.

 

Blogger hazel said ... (2:44 PM) : 

I love the term "yonk". just saying.

 

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