About Tim Rowland

Tim Rowland is a columnist, author and outdoors writer living in Jay.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allen says

    “Kill” as “stream” is a Dutch word found in areas, such as the Capital Region, settled by the Dutch. Not pronouncing the final “n” of “kiln” is indeed common – does anyone know why?

  2. Phil Brown says

    The evidence for “kiln” over “kill” is overwhelming. It’s also worth noting that maps show an East Kilns, a Middle Kilns and a West Kilns in the vicinity. “Kill” is a common toponym in the areas of the state settled by the Dutch. If it’s found at all in the Adirondacks, it is rare. I hope DEC corrects its sign.

  3. Phil Brown says

    As far as the pronunciation, I always assumed the “n” was pronounced, and that is the way I have heard it. However, my modern dictionaries say the word can indeed be pronounced either with or without it. Interestingly, my facsimile of Noah Webster’s original 1828 dictionary only gives the pronunciation without the “n.” The word derives from Old English and from Latin “culcina” (kitchen). My references say “mill” is another word in which the final “n” was transformed to a double “l.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *