So around here it’s generally frowned upon to call the Peak District ‘the Peaks‘ and the preferred nomenclature is the singular ‘peak’. I know this, but I don’t understand why. Surely there are many peaks?! Any ideas?

It’s name is the peak, not many peaks in it just a lot of rounded lumps.

Shorthand for The Peak District?

There’s a similar issue with the Cuillin(s) on Skye. There are only two – The Black Cuillin and the Red Cuillin but folk talk about the many peaks on the main (Black) ridge as the Cuillins.

locals always like to have something they can use to sneer at tourists

Theories as to the derivation of the Peak District name include the idea that it came from the Pecsaetan or peaklanders, an Anglo-Saxon tribe who inhabited the central and northern parts of the area from the 6th century AD when it fell within the large Anglian kingdom of Mercia.[37][38]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_District#History

It’s named after a prehistoric tribe rather than the hills

It isn’t called The Peak District because of the Peaks, it’s named after an Anglo-Saxon Tribe:

The Peak District actually gets its name from the Dark Age, Saxon settlers of the area. The name of the tribe which occupied the Peak 1,000 years ago was the Pecsaetan – the dwellers of the pecs or hills. The name seems to have been first used around 700 AD, to distinguish the hill-dwellers from the Mercians from the surrounding lowlands of the Midland shires.

(Source)

EDIT – Typing at the same time as others it appears!

Basically what mikewsmith and Matt at 18 said. It’s named after a people, it is the district of the Peak people. The best comparison I can think of is Craven District- it’d be like calling it the Cravens. But there are no multiple Cravens.

Every day’s a school day.

Was the area inhabited at the same time by a group of negros and a group of Caucasians?

I’ll mention this to the landlord!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1546994-d3729357-Reviews-The_Pride_of_the_Peaks-New_Mills_Derbyshire_England.html

always used The Peak but times change and The Peaks is probably now more common
and don’t think I’d ever say going to The Lake for the weekend rather than The Lakes
but of course there is only one lake in The Lakes the rest are all meres

Dark peak and white peak, two peaks, ergo the peaks. If I were to tell someone I was going to the peak, they would probably ask which one. We generally say we’re going to Derbyshire for a walk/bike/weekend away now though, so as not to upset nomenclature worriers.

Dark peak and white peak, two peaks, ergo the peaks.

Dark side of the Peak District
White side of the Peak District
Dark & White referring to the Grit/Limestone split
One Peak District
Nothing to do with Peaks

The Peak

http://gordonstainforth.apps-1and1.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ThePeak.jpg

The Peak. Though I’d we’re doing the whole two tribes thing it should technically be “The Pecs’ ”

mikewsmith – Member
Dark peak and white peak, two peaks, ergo the peaks.
Dark side of the Peak District
White side of the Peak District
Dark & White referring to the Grit/Limestone split
One Peak District
Nothing to do with Peaks

This I know, I was being a bit glib.
I don’t really care what people call them/it and neither do they, I just like visiting/playing there.

The Peak. Though I’d we’re doing the whole two tribes thing

Did they go to war?

This I know, I was being a bit glib.

Glib is one thing but if you keep getting it wrong after having you mistake pointed out is just lazy, people struggle with Alnwick until you tell them after that they are just generally being an arse.

The name of the tribe which occupied the Peak 1,000 years ago was the Pecsaetan – the dwellers of the pecs or hills.

…and now a ladies morris side in Sheffield.

You say potato, I say some people are too precious.

It’s not about being precious, it’s about being irritated to an irrational degree, and that’s a massive difference. 😉

I’m glad the consensus seems to be ‘Peak’…but I’ll always say the Peak District so people know where I mean, as it’s inclusive for people who aren’t familiar with the short hand. I briefly knew a South African man, and experimented by saying ‘Peak’, and he didn’t respond until I put ‘District’ on the end so he knew where I was talking about, and then he said how nice it was.

I’ll never correct anybody who says ‘Peaks’ though…

joat – Member
You say potato, I say some people are too precious.

Guess your just right Goat

Time for this one again? I remember……

If I use the wrong name, will people not know where I’m going?

If it’s named after the resident tribe could you call it the Peak’s?