Rhode Island: not actually Rhode Island. NPR broke the news to me today that the real name of the state is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. i had my 50 states and capitals memorized by the time i was eight (and was a rather proud little brat about it), and it took until i was 34 to learn this fact? i'm left wondering what other knowledge i feel secure in but have wrong. nobody thought to mention this???
i had a similar reaction when i learned about lymph, The Bodily Fluid They Don't Tell You About.
at least in this i'm joined by millions of intelligent Americans. there's a This American Life segment (episode 293) showcasing examples of where someone is alone in their misunderstanding---like the guy that thought Nielsen Families all had the last name Nielsen---until they have Their Moment: they say something that betrays their misunderstanding, everyone laughs at it, realize the person with the misunderstanding isn't laughing, awkward silence as they stop laughing, then the realization. it's the same episode where they define the "modern jackass" phenomenon. i recommend it.
1 comment:
This will REALLY mess with you:
Kentycky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia are all "Commonwealths." Not States.
In Phil Collins song "Like China" off of his album "Hello, I must be going" the lyrics "I'll hold you like China" clearly sounds more like he wants to fondle her nether regions.
Do I qualify for the 'jackass' thing yet?
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