To most people, Wallace and Gromit are nothing more than a couple of lumps of Plasticine that win Oscars by talking about cheese a lot.

But there is a small island that lives in complete terror of Wallace and Gromit. The islanders are so scared of Wallace and Gromit that posters for their new movie have had to be especially changed. Where is this bizarre little island? Some remote Indonesian outpost? Maybe one of the least populated Faroe Islands?

No. It’s in Dorset.

Wallace And Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (DVDs) has been causing a
stir on the island of Portland in Dorset, because the word ‘rabbit’ is
unlucky to the residents. Not because they’re a bunch of clodhopping
yokels – well, not entirely – but because rabbits have the ability to
destroy their precious island. The mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Les
Ames, told the BBC:

"If the word
rabbit is used in company in Portland there is generally a bit of a
hush. In the olden days when quarrying was done by hand, if
one of these animals was seen in the area, the quarryman would pack up
and go home for the day – until the safety of the area had been
reconnoitred. It is an unwritten rule in Portland that you do not use
the word rabbit."

Instead of saying "rabbit", Portland locals
say "underground mutton" or "furry thing". Portland posters for Wallace And Gromit: The
Curse Of The Were-Rabbit now just feature the slogan "Something bunny
is going on."

Maybe you think we’re being a little hard on the people of Portland, by calling them yokels and inferring that they’re nothing more than a bunch of undereducated rubes. Maybe you’re from Portland yourself. In which case, don’t click this link, it’ll scare the shit out of you.

Read more:

Wallace And Gromit Spook Island – BBC

[story by Stuart Heritage]