Interesting facts about Menorca

English Words
The Menorcan Dialect contains many English words: sash windows in those same Georgian mansions are known as winders; bow windows are called boinders; while the elaborate side-boards still found throughout the island are called saydbors.  Certain words can also be traced to british occupations, Beguer comes from beggar, bifi comes from beef and chel comes from Shell.

Mayonnaise
Menorca’s culinary gift to the world is mayonnaise named after Mao where it was invented, however it’s still unclear to whether it was invented whilst Menorca was under French rule.

Mahon Harbour
Mahon’s harbour is the second deepest natural harbour in the world after Pearl Harbour in Hawaii

Menorca’s Changing Names
The Greeks calls the island Meloussa, or island of Cattle, while the Phoenicians knew it as Nura, island of fire.  When the Romans arrived in 123BC they called the island ‘Minorca’ or little one, as opposed to ‘Majorca’ the big one.  Under the Moors the island was known as Minurka.

Lord Nelson’s Love
The Golden Farm, a manor house at the northern end of the town, overlooks the harbour and was the home of Nelson in 1799. Legend has it that it was also a love nest for his mistress, Emma Hamilton.