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It is generally agreed that the word 'Toronto' comes from the Indians. But there are two different theories. The majority opinion says Toronto is a Seneca word that simply means 'meeting place.' It's hardly an original theory, but it's plausible. The second theory (to which I subscribe) is that it is a Huron word meaning 'trees in the water.' Lake Simcoe was within Huron territory and was originally known by the French as 'Lac de Toronto' (sometimes spelled 'Taranto'). The Indian trail running from the mouth of the Humber River to Lake Simcoe was known as the Toronto Portage. These names were in use long before there was any settlement in the Toronto area. Lake Simcoe had many trees growing so close to the water's edge that they seemed to be growing out of the water. A second 'trees in the water' theory is that it refers to the fish weirs the Huron Indians built to catch fish in the narrows between Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching. Toronto Island also had trees that appeared to be growing out of the water.

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16y ago

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