Well, the residents of that Swedish community have been fighting with the National Heritage Board for a new name, or at least a return to the old name. Globalization has apparently led to rude English-language associations that residents of this small community could live without.
The whole thing apparently started in the 1930’s when the spelling of the name changed from Fjukeby. Embarrassed and finally tired of all the jocularity, a committee of residents pleaded with the National Heritage Board for the change.
So what’s the fuss? Well, according to the article in The Local a Swedish English-language website, the Swedish word “juck”, essentially means the same thing as Fjuckby’s English component. In addition, villagers complained that the present name makes it difficult to sell property there, or run a successful business.
According to Wikipedia, , the town is located about 15km north of Uppsala. The name has apparently resulted in a certain amount of tourist trade to the small community. That hasn’t helped the situation at all.
Unfortunately, the National Heritage Board said it was following the recommendation of the Institute of Language and Folklore to preserve the name Fjuckby. Which begs the question, if it was named Fjukeby in the 30’s, why was it changed, and what’s wrong with changing it back?
Oh, Fjuckby has a population of about 60, and only 15 residents were involved in the petition for a name change. In it’s ruling, The NHB apparently felt they did not represent the majority of residents in the town.
A writer for The Local ended the story with this observation; “If Fjuckby gets its way it is conceivable that Anusviken, Arslet and Dicken may be next in line for a swift reversal of misfortune”.
In case you’re wondering, Fjuckby and Fjukeby both roughly translate as “Windy Village”.
