S-S-S-Shelm, Washington

From: Jeff Richard <richaje_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Jun 2005 17:15:15 -0700

This is from the City of Yelm's website:  According to Nisqually legend, the area was first known as Shelm, the name given to the shimmering heat waves which dance and play above the prairie when the summer sun shines hot. A great prairie creates a great haze. This was emphasized by the Nisqually by drawing out the syllable to say "S-S-S-SHELM". The impatient Euro-American settlers eventually shortened this to Yelm

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