Ahoy...That is All

NPR has an interesting piece on the history of the word "hello" and the evolution of phone greetings and sign-offs.  It seems that hello is a new word and wasn't used as a greeting until the telephone was invented.  Edison favored hello while Alexander Graham Bell thought ahoy was better.  The world's first phone book, published in New Haven in 1878, instructed it's users to sign-off with a crisp "that is all."  I like that.  You can read it all here, and see how Montgomery Burns answers the phone.

We're the Worst!

A few weeks ago I posted a map showing how every state is number 1 for something positive.  Today's map is not so fun.  This shows how every state is number 1 for something nobody wants.  According to this, Texas ranks 50th in high school graduation.  No surprise.  Of course, the Lege is going to solve our budget deficit by slashing education.  Shockingly, my home state of South Carolina is number 1 in mobile homes.  I'm surprised there aren't more tornadoes.  However, Sandlappers can keep the state motto of Thank God for Mississippi because the Hospitality State is the most obese.  At least we're not fat in our trailers.  Actually, you might want to avoid the whole Gulf Coast area.  A high school drop out from Texas who heads east can expect gonorrhea, obesity and stroke!  If he takes that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World, he'd better hold on to his wallet because Florida leads the nation in identity theft.  Those sinners in Delaware have the most abortions.  I wonder what other sins they're committing there?  No wonder they created Christine O'Donnell.  New Yorkers have the longest commutes, unless you're a smart Manhattanite who walks to work.  Illinois is the "least green," whatever that means.  California has the worst pollution.  Actually, I'm surprised Texas didn't take that crown since Houston often leads lists of the most polluted cities.  Finally, I wonder if PETA knows about Washington?  

We're Number 1!

Here's a fun time-waster for a holiday weekend.  Every state is number 1 at something, what about your state?  You can find them all here and the poster promises that some of the stats will "blow your mind."  Prepare to be blown! 

Some of them aren't surprising, such as California has the biggest economy and New York has the largest city.  Some were unexpected, at least to me.  Did you know that those smart folks in Delaware have the largest percentage of doctorate-level scientists and engineers?   Who knew South Carolina has the largest Ginko farm in the world?  What do they do with all that Ginko?  How about Illinois, which has the highest rate of gang membership?  Actually, that one isn't such a surprise considering those hell-raising Olney Crips.  The squirrels get so scared, they turn white!

And what about Texas, The Lone Star State where everything is bigger?  We're the windiest!  I'm not talking about all the Mexican food.  Texas has the most windy land area and thus the most potential for wind energy.  So there!