Lingo, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lingo, New Mexico
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 Lingo, New Mexico
Location in New Mexico
Lingo, New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Roosevelt |
| Founded | 1916 (as "Need") |
| Elevation | 3,983 ft (1,214 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (Mountain) |
| ZIP code |
88123
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| Area code(s) | 575 |
| GNIS feature ID | 915847 |
Lingo is a small community in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States. It's known as a "populated place," which means people live there.
Contents
The Story Behind Lingo's Name
Lingo has an interesting story about how it got its name.
From "Need" to "Lingo"
When the community was first started in 1916, it was called "Need." But the people in charge of the U.S. mail system thought this name was too much like "Weed." Weed is another town in New Mexico, located in Otero County. To avoid confusion, the name was changed to "Lingo" in 1918.
Where the Name "Lingo" Came From
There are a couple of ideas about how the name "Lingo" came to be.
A Common Word
One idea is that the name came from the word "lingo." This word means a special language or way of speaking. It's a common term used in the Southwestern United States. The word "lingo" itself comes from the Latin word lingua, which means "tongue."
A Family Name
Another idea, which many people think is more likely, is that the town was named after a family. Sometimes, towns are named after important families who lived there or helped start the community.
Lingo's Post Office Location
The post office in Lingo has moved over the years.
Original Post Office Spot
The first post office for the community was not in its current spot. It was located about three miles south of where it is today. This original location was on New Mexico State Road 114. It was also seven miles south of Causey and only five miles away from the Texas border.
