Lükati (Lükati)

Two refererences to this name in the Tallinn area: 1) this one, to a mill on the Pirita river (see Vesiveski); and 2) a villlage in Anija county some 25-30 km ESE where the name Lükati there seems to indicate a place for the portage of boats either across the river or around the rapids. Since the verb lükkama means ‘to move or keep moving by pushing’, this makes sense (see Väo and Härjapea). In the case of Väo, the transport referred to carrying Russians (probably traders) across the river, but both are anecdotal and probably interchangeable. And this is where it gets interesting! 1) The Lükati mill was recorded under a Jonas van Luckede in 1431; and 2) Väo manor was owned at the turn of the 15^th/16^th C by a Hinrich Fet (name also written Vethen and Fehte), while the name seems to derive more from *vädu or *vedu, from vedama (to carry). And given the clearly greater age of lükkama through its numerous FU cognates (with even Khanty’s ḷŭkemə meaning, among other things, ‘to push a boat into the water’), this again shows how common it was for personal names to come from activities or occupations. Even the Swedish name/‘translation’(?) of Lükati on Holmberg’s map of 1689 as Lyckat Qvarn (successful or happy mill?) suggests the serendipitous good fortune of having chosen such a financially auspicious place to settle. Lükata (from lükkama) means ‘sliding’, hence lükati also means slide-rule. Lükati also gives its name to the erratic boulder Lükati rähn close to Pirita river at ///village.guitar.cherry. For other erratic-themed locations, see Merekalju.

Luku (Lukk)

Lock. Interestingly, the expression ‘keep under lock and key’ is luku ja riivi taga hoidma, or ‘keep under lock and latch’, far more belt and braces. And given this street leads directly (well, around the corner) to Võtme it should come as no surprise!... Street created (?) in 2013 and currently (2025) under redevelopment.

Lüli (Lüli)

Link (IT, electrical, etc., but also vertebra, segment, etc.). Fifth in the concatenation of electrical streets. Anyone crazy enough to still be reading this will be fascinated to know that lülipuidumädanik means druxiness, i.e. decay of the heartwood or, less malevolent, decayed spots concealed by healthy timber. Word not to be confused (despite relation to possible disconnection of vertebrae) with lüll:lülli, which, in some dialects, means gallows. See Oomi.

Lume (Lumi)

Snow. Once known simply as Tänav 2 (No.2 Street, aka 2-я ул) perhaps reflecting an ad hoc administrative naming within a port zone). Also Soviet occupation renaming (1958-1991) of Hundipea.

Lumikellukese (Lumikelluke[ne])

Snowdrop (lit. little snow bell; as in many languages, the diminutive can play itself out to varying degrees. kell=bell, kelluke=little bell, kellukene=tiny little bell), Galanthus spp., To plagiarize a well-known ditty:

One of the first flowers to pop out in spring. One of the Mähe flower-name group, see Maikellukese.