Bad used with place name

[W124Bob]

Whats the meaning when "Bad" is placed before a place name?

[nonplussed]

Bath, as in spa bath. And stuff. No really. It is.

[Benni]

Please stop the nonsense, the guy asked a serious question.
It means that Michael Jackson has been a visitor to this town.

[W124Bob]

I did a bit of checking before asking here ,so I was aware that it means bath but couldn't quiet get why it was connected with town names cheers.
PS good job Spa is in Belgium!

[Benni]

Seriously (really, this time) :
Like everythingin Germany, having a "Bad" (bath) status for a town is strictly regulated.
The spring must be in the town´s borders, the water must meet some health requirements
like the minerals etc. included, the town must offer some more health-oriented facilities etc etc.
Motorcycle drivers have to watch out,
because large areas of the "Bad" towns (around hospitals and health/care centres) are banned for them.

[Rushmore]

Bad Homburg (15km north of Frankfurt) is a very good example - and a very English by the way. The Homburg hat derived its name from there, it has a smart park and casino.

[cardigankid]

Bad means Bath in the same sense as the town of Bath, and for the same reasons. It is better translated as Spa, as in Leamington Spa. In Germany, they insist on this being truthful.