BOOK-A-HOLICS discussion

Discussion room enjoy chatting :)

i didn't anticipate this book for nothing, it lived up to my expectations and higher. but i would like some help in one understanding as it has baffled me for quite some time, after reading jane austen and now charlotte bronte, i've come across the same "-shire".

could someone explain to me what it means to have a hyphen before the "shire" part? i understand it to be a place, most certainly, but are all the "-" relating to the same place or ??

Your question caught my attention, so I googled it. The following was the top hit:
Link to Answers.com
Here's the second hit: Link to Fun Trivia

ohh, is that what it is? thanks so much for putting my mind at ease. :]

i can't believe i didn't even think about google-ing it myself. lol. i google everything.