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Valdeku (Valdek)
Said to be derived from an inn, Waldecki kõrts, on the corner of this street and Männiku. From German Waldeck (edge of the woods), and no relation to Metsanurga M. The ‑eck ending is clearly related to Ger. Ecke (corner) and Eng. ‘edge’, but also its cognate Egge, a multi-forked hoe-like implement for loosening the soil, both derived from the same root *ak- or *ok- producing words indicating sharpness: point, edge, corner, ridge, ‘cutting edge’ of a weapon, e.g. Old English ecg, sword, etc. Swiss (and Austrian?) names such as Eggli, Eggler, etc. tend to refer more to ridges (and so, for those interested in this sort of thing, Arnie’s surname has nothing to do with ‘negros’). Although tempting, there does not seem to be any association with Ger. Eiche, Eichel or Ecker, synonyms for acorn. Street known as Punatähe (Red Star) from 1940-1941. In 1798, the Waldecki kõrts was called Sutlem, see Suklema.
Valge (Adj.)
White. Street names referred to by an adjective (occasionally an adverb or attributive) are in the nominative (see Introduction and Kollane). Name given (2001) to the NE stretch of former Lasnamäe, after the Tallinna Alumine Tuletorn (Tallinn lower lighthouse), visibility 12 nautical miles, sometimes known as Katharinenthal Front Light, but correctly as Tallinn leading-line front lighthouse, formerly known as Valge majakas, or white lighthouse, located at ///monitors.slides.harps. Today it is painted an increasingly-fading brick-red where the previous red lighthouse Majaka is painted black and white (sorta). For other lighthouses, see Virbi.
Valgevase (Valgevask)
Brass (lit. white copper). Interesting vanilla alternative to its earlier Russian Латунная ул. (latunnaya) or Germanic Messingstraße. While the Estonian name is quite simple and says what it says, and Russian латунь – prob. from MLG latōn or lattun which, like Fr. laiton and Ital. ottone, all of which seemingly from the arabic لَاطُون ‘lāṭūn’ for ‘copper alloy’, itself from earlier Turkish *altuń, or gold – is twisted, but moderately so, German Messing, from MHG messinc (or missink, cf. Old Eng., mæstling), derives ultimately from a people in Cappadocia, the Μοσσύνοικοι (Mossynoeci), known, if we are to believe Xenophon, for their skills in metal-working, communicating by whistling, and fucking in public. So there’s hope for you yet. Name due to local foundry. Prolongs Malmi. See Vase.
Valguse (Valgus)
Light, daylight, flame, blaze, lighting, illumination. Runs straight into Hämariku, causing grief and vigorous letter-writing from the local Feng Shui association.
