Thoughts to ponder. We have Easthampton, Northampton, Southampton and Westhampton. Consider the spelling of each. Easthampton and Westhampton; directionally, each is seemingly correct. Agreed? Northampton and Southampton not so much.
Stay with me now . . . take a gander at these names. When breaking the names, East-hampton and West-hampton are directionally correct. Agreed? South-ampton and North-ampton not so much. So, if the spelling of these last two is acceptable in our lexicon — then . . . where’s Ampton? Hmmm?
Hornswoggled? Read it again. Whodathunkit!
Ed Gregory
Greenfield