Tapa" (Estonian: Tapa põlev vesi) refers to the fact that so much fuel from Soviet MiG-23 fighters leaked into Tapa's ground water that one could actually light a glass of tap water on fire. In Estonian, "tapa" is also the imperative form of the verb "kill". This has led to an urban legend that during Soviet times the town had a newspaper called Tapa Kommunist, which could mean either Communist of Tapa, or Kill a Communist. Later the name was changed to Tapa Edasi, which could mean either Tapa Forward, or Keep Killing. In reality the local party newspaper was called Edasi Kommunismile (Forward to Communism). Similarly, where a backroad from Kadrina comes to a T at route 24, a sign gives drivers directions to "Tapa" (to the left) or to "Loobu" (to the right). In Estonian, loobuma means to abandon, to desist, to waive. Therefore, drivers have the options to "Kill" or "Quit". Sister cities The former municipality of Tapa was twinned with: Akaa, Finland Preetz, Germany Dobele, Latvia Trosa Municipality, Sweden Cumberland, United States Gallery External links Tapa Museum Tapa Sausage Festival References Sources Lääne Viru Maavalitsus, 2007 Lääne Virumaa Yearbook. Estonian: Lääne Virumaa Aastaraamat. Rakvere, 2008. Cities and towns in Estonia Former municipalities of Estonia Kreis Jerwen