© Frank H. Jump
The verb to annoy is verveelen in Dutch (pronounced “fer-fail`-en”). When passing the Robert’s Books & Stationery / Kornblau-Goldblum Supply Co signs on the Major Deegan Expressway, I never thought I’d be rediscovering another odd Dutch street name. Brooklyn has its Varkens Hoek (Hog’s Corner) and Paerdegats (Horse’s Hole) street names and the Bronx has its Annoying Place. But in all reality, this street probably got its name from a Dutchman with the surname, ver Veelen. Read the genealogical study of this family name by John Blythe Dobson for the New York Genealogical & Biographical Record – April, 2002.
What a gorgeous picture!
I just altered it. Better or worse?
Really? Thanks. The moon kinda makes it.
Johannes Verveelen was one of the founders of Harlem in 1661 and served as Magistrate and Delegate to the New York General Assembly. Among other enterprises he owned and operated the Red Lyon Brewery, the Harlem Inn, and ferries accross the Spuyten Duyvil at Kingsbridge Road and accross the Harlem River at 125th Street. The Dutch word for annoy is not verveelen. It is ergeren.
Interesting bit of history. Thank you. I’ve always used verveelen to mean boring but in some contexts in can be annoying.
Also found this link on the family name.
“ee” in Dutch is pronounced long a. The name was originally ver Valen…”from the valley.”
Thank you Van. I actually speak Dutch. Spreekt U Nederlands ook?
Then no doubt you are aware that Dutch for boring is vervelend…not verveelen.
verveelen – v. bore, tire, tyre, bother, harp, harp on the same string, interfere