We live in a city. We live in an area of that city between the Schuylkill and the Wissahickon. That area is arbitrarily broken up into smaller neighborhoods, say Roxborough, Manayunk, Shawmont, and Andorra.
But wait! What about Wissahickon? Or Germany Hill? Or LIttle Cresson?
When I arrived at Krams and Boone in the late 20th century, the old timers called this outcropping of rock “Sunnyside” or “Tobinville.” I have a recollection one of them called it Hatshop Hill though no one was ever able to point to an eponymous hat shop.
All names are made up, all boundaries (and yes, even boundaries that follow rivers and mountains) are human made.
Where is the dividing line between Manayunk and Roxborough? Manayunk Ave? Why then does the 27/28 zip code divide start on Silverwood Street?
“RoxYunk” doesn’t erase old names or replace them. Use it if you want or not.
For me, its a reminder that we are all neighbors clinging to a steep slope north west of City Hall. Both sides of Ridge, both sides of Fountain, Both sides of Shurs, both sides of Manayunk Ave.
The way it rolls off the tongue is pleasing, it has both of Mel Brooks’ ‘funny’ letters, it sounds gravelly when i hear it. So, yeah, RoxYunk.
Fertile ground for song lyrics as well. Roll your own and YMMV.
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