Boonville in Mendocino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Boontling: The Lingo of Boonville
Photographed by Sheri Hansen, circa April 7, 2013
1. Boontling: The Lingo of Boonville Marker
The versatility of Boontling is apparent; “Bucky Waltered my appoled to a tidricks for bahl chiggul and zeese.”
Derivations : A pay phone cost an Indian “Bucky” nickel and Walter Levi owned the first (telephone); “applehead” by unusual circumlocution is “girlfriend” and shortened “tea-drinkers” is a party. The next two words are from Scottish while that for “coffee” commemorates camp cook C.Z. “Zeese” Blivens renown strong brew.
Translation: I telephoned my girlfriend to go to a party for good food and coffee.
Use declined after 1917, when boonters marched into the Great War but boontling continues to amaze listeners and baffle outsiders.
Keemwun keemle to raise a seephorn to bahlness and boontling with higgy huger highpocket and kimmies of E Clampsus Vitus
. Dedicated September 30, 6011 (2006) Capitulus Redivius Yerba Buena: The Mother Lodge #1 Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampsus Vitus
Erected 2006 by E Clampus Vitus, Yerba Buena Chapter #1.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 39° 1.751′ N, 123° 23.129′ W. Marker is in Boonville, California, in Mendocino County. It is at the intersection of California Route 128 and Anderson Valley Road, on the left when traveling west on California Route 128. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Wine Country, in the North Coast, and specifically on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast and in the Pacific Northwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ukiah Telephone Exchange (approx. 12.6 miles away); Masonic Temple History (approx. 12.6 miles away); Sun House (approx. 12.7 miles away); 116 & 118 South State Street (approx. 12.7 miles away); Gambrel-Hawn Building (approx. 12.7 miles away); The Marks Building (approx. 12.7 miles away); IOOF Lodge #174 (approx. 12.7 miles away); Eversole Building (approx. 12.7 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Ladies of the Night (was approx.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 28, 2013
2. Boontling: The Lingo of Boonville Marker
The marker is located on the building just below the tree branch on the left.
More about this marker. This marker is located on the grounds of Anderson Valley Historical Museum. The museum is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4p.m.
Thanks to Sheri Hanson for sending me the photograph of the Boontling marker.
Also see . . .
1. Boontling Language of Boonville. Atlas Obscura website entry (Submitted on June 17, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Boontling Video. Boontling is a fun folk language native to Anderson Valley. Hear our brewmaster, Fal Allen, interview fluent Boontling speaker Rod Dewitt about where Boontling came from, and how it impacts the brewery. (Submitted on April 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,306 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
