Kalamazoo

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A city in the U.S. state of Michigan known for its cultural events and industrial history ; a colloquial term sometimes used to describe a remote or unusual place ; a brand name historically associated with musical instruments and manufacturing
2. A metropolitan area within Michigan notable for its educational institutions and manufacturing sector ; the use of this term to indicate an offbeat or distant location ; a trademark once linked to musical products and industrial goods
3. A populated locality located in Michigan recognized for its blend of academia and industry ; an informal expression for a faraway or quirky spot ; a historical label connected to musical and manufacturing enterprises

Etymology: Kalamazoo is a city in southwestern Michigan, and its name is probably of Algonquian origin, though the exact meaning is uncertain. Several explanations have been proposed over the years, but none has been settled, so the name remains a puzzle that local historians still debate. The name is generally linked to the river that runs through the city, and older accounts of its meaning have circulated widely. Because the earliest recorded forms were written down by people unfamiliar with the Algonquian languages, the spellings varied considerably, which makes tracing the original words difficult. The modern city's name, however, has a more recent and practical origin. It is commonly associated with the Kalamazoo Manufacturing Company, a firm whose name the place took on, so the familiar name of the city owes as much to a business as to the river.