…a town called “Fucking,” and the town is in Austria.

The etymology of the name dates back to the sixth century when “Focko,” a Bavarian nobleman, named the town after himself. (I’ve always wondered about people who name towns after themselves. That’s a bit like writing a book and then dedicating it to yourself. Since when did it become socially respectable to found a city and then give it your own name?) But Focko was determined to leave a legacy, I guess—and how he has.

The spelling of the name has evolved over the years, as has its pronunciation. Technically, it’s now pronounced “Fooking.” That hasn’t stopped “Focko’s people”—”Fucking” means “place of Focko’s people”—from milking the name of their town for all it’s worth. Since 2010, “Fucking Hell” is the city’s trademark beer, which according to the German brewery that markets it combines the name of the town with the German term for “pale lager” (“Hell”)—this according to Wikipedia.

This amazing bit of trivia comes from fellow saint and sinner Paul, known to me as “hubby.” (One of the reasons I married him was for his sense of humor.)

All of this brings me to ask, have any of you ever been to Fucking? If so, do tell. And, got a piece of trivia to share for our irregular “mental health breaks” for restless souls? Send them along!