Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate

place and street

Aged unknown

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is a short street in York, England — it is said to be one of the shortest streets in England. It links Colliergate to Pavement and the Stonebow, and runs behind St Crux parish hall, the site of one of York's medieval churches. St Saviourgate adjoins it. The name is first recorded in 1505 as Whitnourwhatnourgate, and later appears as Whitney Whatneygate. It could mean either "nothing at all" or "neither one thing nor the other" in Middle English, although a plaque on the end of the parish hall suggests the meaning "what a street!" In 17th and 18th century documents the alternative name Salvey Rents or Salvegate is also found. Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma is the title of a novel by York author Martyn Clayton.

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Commemorated on 1 plaque

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate. The shortest street in York. Known in 1505 as Whitnourwhatnourgate (and meaning 'what a street !') it was changed later into its present name. The footpath was paved in York stone by York Civic Trust in 1984.

St Crux, Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, York, United Kingdom where it sited