by Zoë Pollock
Derek Watkins traced the different regional names for streams in the US:
Lime green bayous follow historical French settlement patterns along the Gulf Coast and up Louisiana streams. The distribution of the Dutch-derived term kill (dark blue) in New York echoes the colonial settlement of “New Netherland” (as well as furnishing half of a specific toponym to the Catskill Mountains). Similarly, the spanish-derived terms rio, arroyo, and cañada (orange hues) trace the early advances of conquistadors into present-day northern New Mexico, an area that still retains some unique cultural traits.
James Cheshire mapped the UK's own versions. Maybe our British readers can explain why brook doesn't feature in the UK map, but dominates New England?
The Dish 