Thong, Kent Explained

Country:England
Static Image Name:Thong street sign.jpg
Static Image Caption:Thong village boundary signs
Official Name:Thong
Coordinates:51.41°N 0.4041°W
Shire District:Gravesham
Shire County:Kent
Region:South East England
Constituency Westminster:Gravesham
Post Town:Gravesend
Postcode District:DA12
Postcode Area:DA
Os Grid Reference:TQ673707

Thong is a hamlet southeast of Gravesend in Kent, England. The population of the hamlet is included in the civil parish of Shorne.

It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names[1] and appeared as a question answer for Round Britain Quiz on BBC Radio 4.[2]

The name 'Thong' is first attested in the Registrum Roffense of circa 1200, where it appears as Thuange. The name may correspond with the Middle Low German dwenge meaning 'trap', but this cannot be confirmed.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: No Snickering: That Road Sign Means Something Else . . 22 January 2009 . 13 July 2014 . Lyall, Sarah.
  2. Programme 8, 2015: North of England take on The Midlands . Round Britain Quiz . . 7 December 2015 .
  3. [Eilert Ekwall]