Who said that street signs need to be serious in order to be functional? Well, the authorities of these towns and cities around the world certainly threw out the rule book when it came to naming their roads!

From 'lost in translation' mix-ups to historic passageways that probably should be renamed, these amusing signs are sure to make you laugh out loud. As we shall see, street names can even have a bearing on your house price, particularly when it comes to festive place names. 

Click or scroll on to take a road trip and discover the funniest (and rudest) places in the world…

While you may not want to live on Smellies Lane or Crotch Crescent, you probably wouldn't turn your nose up at the charmingly named Reindeer Road in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and you're not the only one.

Festive street names can have a surprising impact on house price, according to chartered surveyors, Stokemont. Homes on roads with Reindeer, Stocking, Carol and Christmas in their name all command a higher sale price than comparative properties in less jolly locales.

However, street names with the word 'snowball' in them, such as Snowball Close in County Durham and Snowball Grove in Stockton-on-Tees – top the list of the most lucrative of these light-hearted locations, earning homeowners an average increase of 11.45%. That's £17,644 ($22.3k)!

Sadly, the festive cheer doesn't spread to all the Christmas-inspired locations out there. Surprisingly, Santa's sleigh-guider-in-chief may have a negative effect on your property price, with locations like Rudolph Road in Bushey and Rudolph Street in Bolton suffering a massive £130,337 ($164.6k) cut in value, which is a staggering 23.02% decrease compared to similar properties. Poor Rudolph!

Other unpopular place names include Turkey, such as Turkey Street in Enfield, London, Nicholas, Mistletoe and Merry. Festive holidays aside, let's take a look at some more place names out there that might tickle your funny bone...

Experts believe that the word 'piddle' is an old English word for a small stream, but it's since become a rather more polite word for pee. So, the small parish of North Piddle was actually named after Piddle Brook, on which it stands in Worcestershire, UK.

This place in Castleford was another contested title. The original bridge was replaced in 2008 and given a new name, Tittle Cott. Yet, after a protest organised by a local over-50s group, Wakefield Council reversed its decision and a plaque bearing the original name was installed.

Apparently, this titillating name is the reason you're four times less likely to be able to sell a house in this area of Raunds in Northamptonshire, UK. We can totally understand why...

Fanny Hands Lane, in Ludford, Lincolnshire, was named Britain's third rudest street in 2014 and some claim it's affecting property prices. The story behind the name, however, is rather sweet and one example of how changing language has caused unintended amusement:

It was named in the 19th century by John Hands, after his wife Frances – Fanny – Hands. Nothing rude about that after all.

Often, street names can be amusing due to something being lost in translation, as this road sign in central Hong Kong shows. Located in the Ho Man Tin neighbourhood of the city, this amusing road is ironically located near the Ladies Market... 

Nothing to see here, move on! At least the residents of Boring have a sense of humour though – they sought out a location with an equally bland name and twinned with Dull in Scotland. 

This road has a bit of an off-putting name. Located in the county of Yorkshire, UK, in a town called Hook, Mad Dog Lane doesn't exactly feel welcoming. We can’t help but wonder what might have happened on this street, in order for it to have been given such an unusual moniker...

This road in Greenwich, London, is sure to tickle your fancy. The story behind the street name is sadly not as humorous as you might think, however.

A Ha-Ha is just another word for a sunken ditch, although it's still unclear whether the phrase was taken from the noise a person made when falling, or from those watching as someone tripped up.

Located in Sedona, Arizona, is one of the state's best-named streets, Fabulous Texan Way. Yet this isn't the only humourous place name in the city. Fabulous Texan Way happens to be close by to Coffee Cup Drive and Pony Solider Road.

We think that whoever was in charge of street names in Sedona at the time, decided to have a little fun while on the job...

If you find yourself driving through Montana, USA, you may stumble upon Bad Route Road. While the street name doesn't exactly fill us with confidence, it might not be quite as ominous as it initially appears.

In fact, the street is most likely named after Bad Route Creek, an idyllic offshoot of the Yellowstone River, which runs through the state. Having said that, Bad Route Road was the scene of a still unsolved crime back in 1987, when the body of a road tripper was found at a rest stop.

On the mainland of the Orkney Islands in Scotland lies this small settlement of repute. Despite its petite size, it managed to earn a spot on the map of the world's rudest place names, for fairly obvious reasons...

Smellies Lane is one of several other Scottish streets to make the cut. The road can be found in the picturesque coastal city of Dundee, and rest assured, there's nothing to indicate the area has an odour that lives up to the name.

America definitely has its fair share of ridiculous and hilarious street names. This gem can be found in the Columbia County of Benton, Pennsylvania. Imagine giving this as your address!

While it may not be everyone's idea of a fun road trip port of call, 'dead end' road Shedd Cemetery Drive certainly isn't afraid to advertise its status as a final destination.

Tucked away in the village of Trull near Taunton in Somerset is the charming spot of Ladylawn. Somewhat ironically, the bush surrounding the road sign could do with a trim.

Chicken Dinner Road is located in rural Canyon County in Idaho, USA. Earlier this year, the road name sparked criticism from animal rights organisation, PETA, who have protested to get the street name changed, branding it “distasteful".

Sometimes street names cause controversy... like in Rowley Regis, England, where residents of the unfortunately named Bell End (a rude word in Britain, not to be Googled at work!), have varying opinions on whether to change it to something less likely to elicit sniggers from passing motorists.

An original petition to change the name to 'something less silly' gained 100 signatures, but it was swiftly followed by a counter petition, with 4,800 signatures, calling for the historic name to be retained.

Located in York, England, this is one street where its name is actually longer than the road. This song-sounding street is one of the smallest in the historic city, which has a plethora of silly names, including Goodramgate, Back Swinegate and The Shambles.

In 1505, this street was known as Whitnourwhatnourgate, which translates to ‘what a street’!

We can't help but think the authorities in Halifax, Nova Scotia, gave up a little when they were naming their streets. The city is known for many things, from its beautiful scenery to its abundance of outdoor activities, but Halifax has also become famous for its rather ridiculous signage.

As well as The Other Street and This Street, the city also boasts a That Street and a Little Jessus Lane. If that doesn't make you smile, we don't know what will!

Fans of David Hasselhoff’s popular '80s crime-fighting TV show will rejoice at this funny street, located in central London. Just round the corner from St Paul’s Cathedral, the street used to be a lot longer in the 14th and 15th centuries, since it was used by knights on their way to jousting tournaments.

A street in the city of Kent also shares this unforgettable moniker.

Squeeze Gut Alley runs between Island Wall and Middle Wall in the seaside town of Whistable, Kent, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. If you're of a wider girth, you'll have to squeeze your belly in to fit through the passage.

Oddly for such a bizarre place name, there's also a Squeeze Guts Alley in Truro, Cornwall. It's seen on a map from 1842, but unnamed, and it's thought it was commonly known by this nickname. Eventually the street's moniker became official and the passage even got its own sign. It's now something of a tourist attraction. 

Residents in Crotch Crescent in Marston have the dubious accolade for living in the 'fifth most embarrassingly named place' in the UK, according to a 2014 survey. And while many think it's funny, some are worried about the effect of the name on property prices.

Embodying the ethos of America's sunny southern states, this road name is guaranteed to make you smile as you pass – and perhaps encourage you to forget some of your troubles for just a few minutes.

London has a ton of interesting names and Back Passage must be one of its most ludicrous. There's not much of a story here; the passage was simply the back way through to Smithfields, a popular market area of the city.

After that, how about one that's not at all rude, just a bit, er, silly? Silly Lane is in High Ivah, Lancaster and is a popular thoroughfare to Lowgill.

Another absolute gem from Hong Kong is this rather puerile sign, which was snapped by an English-speaking student on their way home from class in the city. It means to rejuvenate or revive, but phonetically sounds a bit rude!

Ugley in Essex is actually pronounced ‘Yews-ley’, with a soft ‘g’. Well, that’s what the locals say anyway. But thanks to the confusion, the Ugley Women’s Institute did change its name to the Women’s Institute of Ugley.

What came first, the Australian pop duo or the place? Well, actually the place but the two aren’t really linked. Savage Garden named their band after a phrase from The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice: "beauty was a savage garden". 

Meanwhile, the street is simply named after a Sir Thomas Savage who owned a house here in the 17th century.  

Another example of language changing. This lane is thought to be named after a mute woman who dealt in traditional medicine and herbs in the area.

Or there's a more gruesome idea – that it was after a woman who stumbled upon smugglers and had her tongue cut out to keep her dumb (in the original sense of the word).

Grope Lane can be found in the quaint English town of Shrewsbury. Known for its historic Tudor centre and red-brick medieval castle, the town also happens to boast a few hilarious street names, including Grope Lane.

Some say that the passageway was once a red light district, where ladies of the night would wait for gentlemen callers. Not the only funny street in the county, Shropshire is also home to Bogey Lane, Butts Road and Ice House Close.

This historical sign could either be a specific reference to a market or pub on this site near Canary Wharf in London, whose speciality was this cut of meat. Or mutton was an old slang term for ladies of the night, so it could have been called this for quite a different reason, lost in time.

Just outside the square mile in Shoreditch, London, is one for the chefs, Frying Pan Alley. It takes its name from a shop sign, common with ironmongers and braziers, and also used for taverns.

The English city of Lincoln has plenty of funny named streets. The Glory Hole can be found near the main High Street, alongside the River Witham. The street is home to the oldest bridge in England with houses nestled above it.

The passageway is named after the narrow opening by the arch of the High Bridge, which has crooked arch sets that limit the size of the boats that can pass through it.

Another little village name that certainly needs no explanation. Located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, we can see why Wetwang is frequently named as one of Britain's rudest places.

Historically, the American city of Denver, Colorado, was home to an infamous red light district, and while the area no longer exists, many of its former street names do. The city has a long history with unusual road signs. In fact Market Street was formally called McGaa Street, after one of Denver’s official founders.

As well as Hooker Street, you'll also find Wazee Street, Wewatta Street and Little Raven Street.

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