Bruce:
> CONUS technically does include Alaska, which of course is on this
continent,
Technically and historically, but not legally; the definition, when used
in official government documents, is the original 48 states+DC. We used
to use this a lot when I worked for the USEPA.
Jonathan:
> "Lower" in this phrase is just a familiar word that does not
> need to be interpreted, any more than if you were to use "the
> floogle 48 states".
Now you're stretching! The term "lower 48" originated in Alaska, where
it was in use years before statehood (Charles can probably confirm this
by asking old-timer neighbors, I'm basing this on online info) and where
the reference was certainly based on the fact that down=south on most US
maps.
If what you guys are saying is that "lower 48 states" is accurate
because it is not the same thing as "lowest 48 states", and only asserts
that these 48 states are lower than Alaska, then I won't argue with that
except to say that this would not make it any less silly of an
expression.
In reality, I would guess that most people who use the term "lower 48"
are simply not aware that Hawaii is south of the other states, any more
than most Americans know where France or Idaho are.
> Each of them can't touch ALL of the others, that would
> be impossible
That is why "contiguous" is not quite correct; California and New York
are not contiguous. They are, however, conterminous!
Vicky from Washington:
>Having spent time in both Alaska and Hawaii, I know I now live
>in the lesser 48. Wouldn't you agree, David?
Hell, I spend so much time in front of my ThinkPad [note clever
injection of topicality] that it doesn't much matter whether I'm here in
Hawaii or there in the mid-48, except it was easier to read the screen
when I lived in your neck of the woods and the sun was blocked by clouds
all the time!
- David R.
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Received on Thu Sep 9 03:42:33 2004
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