Word for Wednesday: Hollywood

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On Monday it was announced that Hollywood legend Doris Day passed away aged 97. As we were reminiscing about her incredible career, we found ourselves wondering about the term Hollywood. Where does it come from? When did it start being used in reference to the film industry? 

Hollywood, a region near Los Angeles, gets its name from a ranch that once stood on its site. The ranch was named by Deida Wilcox who moved there with her husband Horace H. Wilcox in 1886. They began selling building lots in 1891 and by 1910 barns were being turned into studios. In 1926, three years after the now-iconic Hollywood sign was put up (originally reading ‘Hollywoodland’), the name started being used to describe the American film industry in general. 

Since 1977, the word Bollywood has been used in reference to the Mumbai film industry (from ‘Bombay’ and ‘Hollywood’). You can find a list of other Hollywood-inspired nicknames for film industries around the world here. 

Who’s your favourite Hollywood actor?


15 May 2019
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One of the students has put in a huge amount of effort in completing Spellzone at least 3 times a week since his arrival with us in January. Looking at his scores after the latest GL testing, his standardised score has risen from 99 to 131. This is a truly phenomenal result. I just wanted to share the best result I have ever seen.

Terrie Penrose-Toms, Casterton College

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