Uus (Adj.)

New. The street (see below for Uus Turg), along with Aia and Vene is in the pale blue section of the Estonian Monopoly board, below the purple Paldiski mnt, Mustamäe tee and Sõpruse pst. Since the Soviet Union prohibited the game until 1987, this may have reflected prices at the time, and considerably undervalues current market rates. Once known as Hahnreigasse (cuckold’s alley), given its specific, almost name-calling nature, another interpretation is possible. Hahnrei seems to derive from two components: Hahn (rooster, cock) and rei probably from an early Germanic *wrainiska, lustful or in heat, so ‘randy rooster’ or whatnot. And, back in the day, many women or wives, believed to be horny but just short of cash, probably resorted to prostitution at times. Being perhaps a local trade, the name may reflect the idea of fucking your neighbor’s wife, hence the humorous or other-disparaging ‘cuckold’ association, rather than the plain old admission of having to pay. The old Russian names (1907) were Земляная (Zemlyanaya) or Земляничная (Zemlyanichnaya). The former meaning ‘earthy’, the latter ‘strawberry’ and with the street backing onto Aia, why not. But perhaps there’s a pun or innuendo there?