Europe is a continent famous for giving humanity philosophy, democracy, the Renaissance, the printing press, questionable sausages, and at least seventeen different ways to spell "Johann." But Europe's real contribution to global civilization is much more important: Its town names are absolutely ridiculous.To be clear, this is not meant as an insult. Ridiculousness is a cultural achievement. It shows imagination, whimsy, linguistic evolution, and possibly the influence of fermented beverages brewed in monasteries before standardized spelling existed. Europe's map is an open-air museum of vowel collisions, consonant avalanches, silent letters staging protests, and place names that sound like someone sneezed near a typewriter.As we roam through Europe's linguistic landscapes, one truth will become obvious: Every country thought they were being reasonable at the time.And every traveler since then has politely whispered: Are they serious? Is this real?The answer to both is "yes."