Worcester County Wonders: What's in a name? A lot if you're in Webster (2024)

WEBSTER — What's in a name?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is the longest word in the English language. But if you ask a Webster native, it's Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchubunagungamaugg, also known as Webster Lake, home of Memorial Beach. Both are 45 letters, but if you were to count the "lake" portion of its title, the body of water takes the cake.

There are a number of spellings for the Nipmuc name, including a shortened version of Chaubunagungamaug that appears on Google Earth.

It isn't just the name that is notable. In fact, the lake is the largest natural lake found in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Three smaller bodies of water make up the large lake left by retreating glaciers during the last ice age. Several islands dot the lake, including Goat Island, Strip Island, and Long Island, which has several summer homes with running water and electricity.

Opening the small door to Webster Lake Gifts, visitors are greeted by the lengthy name decorating everything imaginable from clothing to mugs, ornaments and postcards. The woman behind the counter, who wished to remain unnamed, quickly pointed to a sheet of paper hanging to the left.

"That's from the time we were on 'Jeopardy!'," she said, adding she had to teach the show's production how to pronounce the name of the lake. She was happy to offer instruction on how to pronounce the name and suggested it's easiest to break the word apart. Here's the Jeopardy! answer:

"In this 'Bay State' some call it Webster Lake; others, Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg."

The question: "What is Massachusetts?"

The question fell under the lakes category and was worth $400. James Holzhauer got the question correct and went on to collect more than $1 million in prize money.

"Jeopardy!" is just the latest to feature the lake in pop culture. In 1954, the lake was immortalized in song with Ethel Merman's recording of "The Lake Song."

The song tells the story of the lake, and its supposed translation of "you fish on your side, I'll fish on my side, and nobody fishes in the middle." Unfortunately, this particular translation was concocted by a local newspaper reporter at the time. According to Frank King, a former musical host on WBUR radio, the name roughly translates to "English knifemen and Nipmuc Indians at the boundary or neutral fishing place,"

During the summer the lake is full of water skiers. The Nipmuc Ski team dazzles spectators on Memorial Beach on Wednesday evenings. With dozens of folding chairs and picnic blankets, the community comes out in full force to watch the skiers perform jumps, pyramids and unbelievable tricks, all while speeding across the water at 40 mph.

Wandering through the crowd, a search for anyone who might be able to pronounce the Nipmuc name of the lake was not fruitful, more than two dozen locals said they could not pronounce the name.

This past Wednesday was the last performance of the summer and drew a large crowd, including a local cheerleading squad with posters for one of their members, Jocelyn. The girls lined up in a row, each carrying a large sign containing one letter of the skier's name to cheer on one of their own.

On the other side of the beach away from the wake of the skiers, many cooled off in the shallows, taking a swim in the clean, clear water.

It isn't just swimming that draws people to some 17 miles of shoreline. If you're lucky you may spot the Indian Princess, a modern replica of the "grand riverboats" that paraded up and down the Mississippi River in the late 19th century. The boat is owned and operated by Indian Ranch, offering tours and renting out the vessel for private events on the lake.

The riverboat is just one of the unique vessels parading the lake's waters. Beach's and Cream is owned by 17-year-old Vivienne Stepka, who sells ice cream out of a small tiki-themed boat. She's graduating from high school this year and plans to head to trade school after getting her diploma.

"No, I can't say it, but I'm learning," Vivienne said of pronouncing the Nipmuc name of the lake.

Then there is Waterfront Mary's 22, a picturesque waterfront eatery with quite the history, seemingly hidden in a residential neighborhood.

"The name of the lake, it's on the back of my shirt," bartender Theresa Venuti said before spinning around and revealing the iconic 45 letters across her back. "There's at least one person here, maybe two, that can say it and they're all locals."

There has been a bar at the location since 1908, when it was called Birch Island Pavilion. Mary's gets its name from previous owner Mary L. Dow, described as somewhat of a flamboyant character in town, known to wear colorful hats and homemade sarongs. The bar was bought from Dow's estate back in 2004 and is now run by Tracy Lis.

Customers can often be seen pulling their boats up to Mary's dock to listen to live music and enjoy all the lake has to offer. Thankfully you won't have to pronounce the Nipmuc name to grab a beer.

T&G engagement editor Sarah Barnacle is getting to know Central Mass. by exploring some of the best places to go and things to do in Worcester County. If you have an idea or suggestion, please emailsbarnacle@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester County Wonders: What's in a name? A lot if you're in Webster