Posted by Dave Thewlis on January 11, 2003 at 16:13:00 from 148.78.247.10 user dthewlis.
In Reply to: Re: RIO posted by Peter H on January 11, 2003 at 15:43:27:
The simplest explanation, it seems to me, is that indeed the Swallows named the town 'Rio Grande' after the shanty, as we're told. Having done that, they found 'Rio Grande' inconveniently long for daily use and it became simply 'Rio'.
Folks living in and around Rio Grande (Texas) call it 'Rio' familiarly, I believe, and the people I know who have been to Rio de Janeiro, when referring to it, simply call it 'Rio' as well.
Names do get worn down in daily use, or shortened very rapidly. After all, 'Brighthelmstone' became 'Brighton' over time, admittedly a more extreme case.
AR didn't show us the shortening happening, but I don't see any reason to assume it wouldn't happen. Now, that could spark a line of inquiry as to where AR originally got the name Rio for the town -- previous use by him, by the Altounyans, other kids he knew.... Or whether he simply dredged it up when he was writing the book.