Dangerous Holiday Driving

If you’re planning to be out and about on U.S. roadways this Labor Day holiday weekend, take extra care. The roadways can be deadly depending on where you live.

As a NH resident the following headline sure got my interest. More details were needed like who, what, where did this info come from?

New Hampshire Found Most Dangerous Place in America to Drive on Labor Day

This headline was read in a recent copy in the Hudson Times, a weekly area paper. The article stated that per data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), NH leads the country with the highest Labor Day driving fatality rate, 17.09 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Being a somewhat curious and skeptical person, and a former reporter, I needed to learn more, so (once again) fell into the rabbit hole of online sleuthing. There certainly is a lot of information available. What I learned was interesting, but often contradictory .

That newspaper article stated that research had been compiled by a law office based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine the states safest for holiday drivers. This firm is based in Waterbury, CT, and other locations in that state, handling immigration and personal injury.

According to the article, the top five deadliest states for Labor Day driving ranked by road fatalities per 100,000 population were: New Hampshire (17.09), Wyoming (9.72), Arkansas (7.86), New Mexico (6.71) and Mississippi (6.31). It further stated (not sure why) that Easter was not the deadliest driving day in Wyoming, and that it was Father's Day was the deadliest holiday in third-ranked Arkansas.

Seeking further confirmation online, I typed in various searched using words like: Labor Day weekend auto injuries and fatalities. That brought up a slew of websites of legal firms with auto fatality statistics on this holiday weekend and others too.

These websites were not only in CT, but also DE, TX and PA and other states, nearly all specializing in — that’s right — liability and personal injury; none from NH. (No firms will be named here, information can be assessed online.)

Here's what I learned from a few of these sites.

Folks living live in Mississippi should be extra cautious on Labor Day weekend. One site named it first for highest traffic fatalities due to factors like low seatbelt usage and extensive cell phone use while driving. This site also listed higher Labor Day holiday fatalities in South Carolina, Alabama, Wyoming (relative to its population) and New Mexico (rural roads and less access to trauma centers).

The website of another legal firm listed Montana as having a high fatality rate per capita on Labor Day weekend. The states of Wyoming and Mississippi made that list too.

This site also listed the five safest states for Labor Day driving (ranked by fatalities per 100,000 residents): Hawaii (0.99), Massachusetts (1.00), Rhode Island (1.28), Utah (1.63), New York (1.80).

Another site also named New Mexico as the most dangerous state to drive in on Labor Day weekend. Furthermore, the state was cited as having the most pedestrian fatalities per capita and the fourth-most speeding fatalities. I could not completely verify this claim.

And, that site's rundown for the 10 most dangerous states in order after New Mexico were: Mississippi, Wyoming, South Carolina, Arizona, Montana, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama and Arkansas. (It claimed that Mississippi has the highest U.S. fatality (24.57 per 100,000). Again, just the site's information.

The study listed the 10 safest holiday driving states as: New York (again), Massachusetts, Utah, Hawaii, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Minnesota, D.C., New Hampshire (after being named the worst in another study?) and Connecticut.

A PA-based legal firm claimed that more people would die in motor vehicle accidents on Labor Day than other day with the exception of Independence Day.

That firm cited its study, Safest and Most Dangerous States to Drive for Labor Day Weekend, based on data available from the NHTSA, FBI and Census Bureau, naming New Mexico and Mississippi as the most dangerous states to drive in.  The safest state to drive on the Labor Day holiday was said to be New York (based on info from NY accident attorney lawyers). 

Here’s the same site's rundown for the 10 most dangerous states in order: New Mexico, Mississippi, Wyoming, South Carolina, Arizona, Montana, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama and Arkansas. (It claimed that Mississippi has the highest U.S. fatality (24.57 per 100,000). Again, just the site's contention.

The study listed the 10 safest holiday driving states as: New York (again), Massachusetts,

Utah, Hawaii, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Minnesota, D.C., New Hampshire (after being named the worst in another study?) and Connecticut.

Confusing?  Yes, because of these widespread variations and there's more.

There was also information from the car accident experts at Auto Accident Team. It was listed as a free service compiling information for those seeking legal relief for auto accidents in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, MO, TX. According to the site, this was not a law firm or lawyer referral service and did not provide legal advice or endorse law firms in its network.

What state did the site list as the most dangerous? 

Ready or not, it was Vermont. The Auto Accident Team experts claimed to have analyzed 9 years of fatal crash data (2013-2022) from the NHTSA, which lead to it naming Vermont, especially on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, when crashes were 58% above the state’s average, four weeks before and after Labor Day.

This site's top 10 dangerous holiday driving states in order of ranking were: Kansas (especially on Friday), Delaware (largest increase of drunk driving fatal crashes on Labor Day weekend), New Mexico (second highest increase in drunk driving, nationally), Oklahoma (with fatal crashes increasing by 29% over the weekend), Iowa (with an increase of 28%), Alaska, West Virginia, Wyoming and Idaho completed the list with increases from 26 to 23%.

The safest state named to drive on Labor Day weekend was Hawaii with a 16% decrease in fatal crashes. It’s one of 11 states with a holiday accident decrease and has the fourth lowest increase in drunk driving rates on Labor Day weekend.

Another online article labelled the states of Wyoming, Montana and Mississippi as the most dangerous states for Labor Day weekend driving. While, the site conceded that the majority of fatalities occur in urban areas, these three states were named as the most dangerous — with nearly three times as many fatalities per capita as the U.S. as a whole. 

It also listed Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington as having the least holiday driving fatalities.

Analyzing data from several years ago (2017–2021), the NHTSA found that states of California, Texas and Florida had the highest rate of Labor Day accidents and fatalities due to population and number of cars. However, states like Montana and Wyoming have higher accident rates per capita (based on the number of residents).

While the majority of fatalities occur in urban areas. Wyoming, Montana, and Mississippi were listed quite often as the most dangerous states for driving with nearly three times as many fatalities per capita as the U.S. as a whole. On the flip side, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington were listed as having the fewest driving fatalities.

I don't know which state is the most dangerous/safest for motorists this upcoming holiday weekend. So many legal firms have online articles and data about holiday auto accidents and fatalities and not all (very few) agree.

What are some contributing factors?

According to a website, which quoted a high-level spokesperson for the Automobile Association of America (AAA), Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides a final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins. And, while some people are going on cruises or far-off vacations, many otherss are staying closer to home and taking road trips to nearby beaches or national parks.

The AAA website didn't include estimates for how many travelers are expected on roadways driving on the Labor Day holiday weekend. However, it noted that two recent 2025 holidays, Memorial Day and July 4, had record number of motorists on the roadways.

What makes Labor Day a dangerous time to drive?

Traditionally, summer holidays have the highest number of U.S. auto fatality rates. Many Americans celebrate Labor Day as the end of summer leading to higher road traffic and increased chances of accidents through factors such as: Impaired driving, heavy traffic and traffic congestion, speeding, fatigue and drowsy driving and increased nighttime driving.

Is Labor Day weekend the deadliest driving holiday in the U.S.?

I'm uncertain as the answer depends on which website, study or statistical data is believed to be the most creditable.

Several law firm sites and the ASC rated Independence Day (July 4) as the most dangerous day to be on the road followed by Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Other sites listed the deadliest driving holidays as Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day and Memorial Day. The popular holiday of Christmas was not listed as the most dangerous holiday for driving on most sites.

After reading through so many online data and statistics, it seems that the most dangerous state to drive on any holiday depends on so many factors: population, number of drivers and more. And, of course, the actions of the driver.

That said, we’re not taking any chances being on the roadways this Labor Day weekend.

Instead, we'll stay home enjoying outdoor walks or visiting friends in the mill apartments. We're not taking any changes that NH could be one of the most dangerous states to drive on Labor Day weekend. 

We hope that all fellow U.S. bloggers and motorists everywhere enjoy a safe holiday too.

Birthdays, Mine & Others

Do you know who celebrates the same birthday as youself?

Birthday cards displayed on our bookcases

Since today is my 🎂 birthday, I did an online search to see who else was celebrating even if we won't be doing so together. As mentioned last week, we’re on a celebratory adventure. I already knew the names of a few of these famous co-celebrants. It was interesting to learn that many of those also celebrating today are (or were) active in the creative arts fields, like these folks:

• Nathan Lane, actor
• Blythe Danner, actor, singer, dancer
• Amal Clooney, lawyer & human rights activist
• Fran Tarkenton, football quarterback and announcer
• James Michener (1909-1997), author
• Morgan Fairchild, actress
• Maura Tierney, actress
• Bridget Regan, actress
• John Handy, musician
• Shelley Berman (1925-2017), comedian and actor
• Horace Greeley, newspaper editor & publisher
• Warwick Davis, actor & TV show host
• Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, 1st woman in U.S. to receive a medical degree
• Daddy Yankee (Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez), rapper and singer

So, it seems I am in some very well known birthday company.

Some February 3 birthday folks along with myself

Aside from birthday celebrations of myself and others, the date of February 3 is significant in several other ways — historic, sweet and very tragic.

On this day in 1870, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, which guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race and intending to ensure, with the 14th Amendment, the civil rights of former slaves.

For those who enjoy cake, In the U.S. today is National Carrot Cake Day, a sweet and delicious way to celebrate. That has me thinking that I should have a piece tonight.

Sadly, it's also known as The Day the Music Died in reference to the deaths of three young pop music stars: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Jr. All died in a 1959 plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. Don McLean's 1971 hit song was in homage to their passing.

In astrology, Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac, considered as governing the period from January 20 to February 18. I knew that there was Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In popularized by the American pop vocal group, the 5th Dimension was a song associated with the sign.

According to the "birthday paradox," in a random group of 23 people, there is about a 50% chance two people will share a birthday. Any more than that, and it gets increasingly likely that a pair of matching birthdays exist. It's considered a paradox as it goes against our intuitive understanding of probability

While that be true, I know that in my own family, I shared this birthday with my late cousin, Richard, was also born on Feb 3; his older brother will be celebrating on Feb 5.

Did you know that the other 11 signs of the zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Pisces) also have songs named for them? 

Here's some examples, most nearly all of these songs were unknown to me: 

• Aries: "Aries" by Gorillaz, "Aries (YuGo)" by EMike WiLL Made-It
• Taurus: "Dirty Taurus" by EAnt Beale, "Taurus" by EAby Coulibaly
• Gemini: "Gemini (2 Sides)" by E Wale, "Gemini Feed" by BANKS
• Virgo: "Virgo" by Atmosphere, "Virgo" by Victor Internet
• Libra: "Libra" by Pity Party (Girls Club)
• Scorpio: "Scorpio Rising" by Soccer Mommy
• Sagittarius: "Sagittarius" by 88GLAM, "Sagittarius" by Trevor Hall
• Capricorn: "Capricorn Dancer" by Richard Clapton, "Capricorn" by Elderbrook
• Aquarius: "Aquarius" by Tinashe
• Pisces: "Pisces" by RIZ LA VIE, "Pisces Dream" by Shamefac

An interesting statistic is that my birth month, February, comes in last place when birth months of the year are ranked. According to online data sources, birth months from most common to least common are: August, July, September, October, May, December, March, June, January, November and April. Where do you rank?

Did You Know?

More people are born in summer (May to August) than in winter (October to January). And, the most common birthday is September 9 (also my late mother's birthday). This is based on data collected for over 20 years by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and the Social Security Administration. 

On average, over 12,000 babies are born on September 9 annually. Nine of the top 10 most popular birthdays fall between September 9 and September 20. 

Famous September 9 Celebrants

If you were born on the most popular day of the year, here's some of the famous folks who also share the same birthday:

• Adam Sandler
• Hugh Grant
• Michelle Williams
• Otis Redding (1941-1967)
• Colonel Harland Saunders (1890-1980)
• Angela Cartwright
• Michael Bublé
• Cesare Pavese
• Tom Wopat
• Eric Stonestreet
• Zoe Kazan
• William Miller
• Kelsey Asbille
• Henry Thomas
• Constance Marie

Some folks who celebrate on Sept 9, including my late mother

What's the Rarest Birthday?

Out of the 365 annual calendar days, that would be December 25, Christmas Day. These folks, among others, celebrate both a birthday and holiday:

• Jeremy Strong
• Justin Trudeau
• Issac Newton (1643-1727)
• Anwar el-Sadat (1918-1981)
• Jimmy Buffett (1946-2023) 
• Clara Barton (1821-1912)
• Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957)
• Annie Lennox
• Rod Serling (1924-1975)
• Eartha Kitt (1927-2008)
• Sissy Spacek
• Barbara Mandrell

Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas to these folks

While a Christmas Day might be unusual, the least common birthday occurs on leap year, February 29. That's because as this date only happens every four years, it yields the fewer number of birthdays. The odds of being born on Leap Day are 1 in 1,461 and that's compared to 1 in 365 for any other day of the year. If your birthday is on this date, it's a very special one.

And, now you know the rest of my birthday story (for now).

Thanks, in advance, for the birthday wishes; taking a blog break for a few days.

Good Gosh Geese 😧

Canada geese are famously among the most well-known and widespread birds — despite this fact, they don't have many human fans. 

That's because anyone who has lived near or visited an area these geese frequent knows WHY.

Wherever the geese gather, they leave behind messy and abundant evidence of their presence, it's on the grass, walkways, in short — everywhere. 

Even though geese these are migratory birds, many will remain in the same place year long. 

Why? 

Because they have everything they need: water, grassy areas, few natural predators in these spots and most often a number of humans willing to feed them. 

There's a burgeoning population here in Nashua, NH.

The mill apartments we live in are along the Nashua River, and this area has become a year-round home for the Canada geese. At this time of year, their numbers have been going up because it's time to raise a family. 

Most geese begin breeding at 2 or 3 years of age and nest every year for the rest of their lives, which is a very long time considering that the average life span of a Canada goose is between 10 to 25 years.

Canada goose is the common name for the species Branta canadensis. This name comes from the species being mainly distributed in Canada and the northern U.S. Branta was a Latinized form of Old Norse Brandgás, translated to burnt (black) goose and canadensis is a thought to be a Neo-Latin word meaning from Canada.

It's correct to call this bird Canada goose, just don't call it a Canadian goose, which could be any goose from Canada. Now, that it's adapted to live all across the U.S. even Mexico, calling it a North American or Mexican goose would be just as incorrect.

As with any bird, the official name is its Latin name which is the same worldwide. The species name for this goose is Branta canadensis which became known as a Canada goose. 

Some species are named after people, in this case it's an urban legend that this goose was named for John Canada, an ornithologist and taxidermist, who's said to have separated the species from other geese. No record of anyone by that name exists in either profession, so this legend, while popular, remains unproven.

A mated pair will raise one brood each year. The female will lay five to six eggs and incubate for up to 4 weeks in late spring, while the male keeps watch on the nest. Eggs hatch in late April to June, depending on location. The largest family size we've seen here is six young goslings. 

Adult geese are fearless parents who can be mean when there's a threat, actions like stretching their neck hissing and honking loudly serve as a warning, sometimes biting and slapping their wings; attack is also possible. Not surprisingly, they're protecting their territory and family. 

Geese aren't necessarily any more aggressive than other birds. Humans have more encounters with them because we live alongside them. When that happens, the best policy to avoid an encounter with an angry male goose is to steer clear, walk slowly and give them a wide berth.

The goose in this photo was hissing at another group of geese that it perceived as being too close.

Goslings get flying lessons at two to three months and stay with their parents for the first year, and can even migrate with them. As they mature and become more independent, they go with other juveniles in groups, known as gang broods, which can consist of up to 100 goslings, just like teenagers ? 

Within 2 to 3 years, most will seek a partner, a search called assortative mating, which means they look for a mate similar to themselves in size. Humans similarly mate with those resembling themselves in many ways, a process known as positive assortative mating (PAM).

Unlike many species, geese are monogamous and bond for life. If a partner dies, the remaining goose will try to find a new one within the same breeding season and often in the location.

Canada goslings are very captivating when young

And change very quickly as they grow up

There's a continuously large presence here  — with food, water and safe places, not to mention a river view, there's no need to leave — life is very good in Nashua, NH.

How about where you live — are Canada Geese very populous ?

Fueled Up for Summer?

Welcome to May. Warm weather is finally coming — time for planting, fishing, opening doors, stowing winter gear, patio  sitting and dining, setting up grills and switching from winter to summer gas in your car.

Internet source

OK so that last item may sound confusing as it was to me this week, but it's true. As the season goes from winter to summer, car fuel changes. Usually, this semi-annual switch of winter to summer gas goes unnoticed by most motorists, except at their next fill-up.

I never understood about this seasonal gas changeover, until reading a news article this week, and learned (a lot) about it.

Filling a car's gas tank costs more in summer months (here in the U.S. I'm not sure in other countries). Today, the average U.S. gas price nationwide is up about 15 cents from the past month. That's not demand leading to higher pump prices — it's all about the gas.

Why not continue using cheaper winter gas? It's because the so-called winter gas contains a cheaper ingredient, butane, that helps cold weather starting. Summer gas contains a more costly ingredient, alkylate, which is better for hot weather driving. 

Most of us are familiar with the use of butane as lighter fluid and an ingredient in fuel for gas grills and camping. As a fuel, it's less costly than other gas components; however, its high volatility limits how much can be included in summer car fuel.

Another factor leading to the higher gas cost is that refineries are switching from the winter to summer gas supplies and doing maintenance, which, in turn, reduces the fuel supply.

Internet source

U.S. environmental regulations require that gas sold in summer months be less susceptible to evaporation. That requires refiners to replace evaporative gas components with ones that have the opposite characteristics which can be more expensive, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

This switchover happens in March and April. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires refineries to have a summer blend in their system by May 1. Gas stations must comply by June 1. Refineries produce than 14 types based on different state regulations. Because of this production takes longer, the overall yield per barrel is lower, and motorists can pay up to 15 cents more per gallon in summer months.

Internet source

Why does summer gas differ from winter gas? Here's what I learned. Winter fuel has a higher Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), a measure of how easily fuel evaporates at increased temperatures. This means that it evaporates easier in colder temps, letting cars start faster. If the fuel didn’t evaporate fast in cold temperatures, a car engine would start hard and run rough (which no motorist would like). To achieve this, refineries blend winter gasoline with butane, an inexpensive additive with a high RVP. 

Most of us are familiar with the use of butane as lighter fluid and an ingredient in fuel for gas grills and camping. As a fuel, it's less costly than other gas components; however, its high volatility limits how much can be included in summer car fuel.

Once summer temperatures heat up, high RVP gasoline can evaporate faster which can lead to increased emissions, ground level ozone and air pollution (smog). That's why U.S. federal law restricts sales of gasoline with an RVP greater than 9.0 psi from June 1 through September 15.

To comply, refiners reduce the amount of butane in the gas with pricier additives, leading to
higher gas prices in summer. This blending process also takes longer adding to the cost.

Some states set lower summer RVP standards to further limit emissions. California has a 7.0 psi limit. Due to the state’s climate, refiners can sell summer gas as early as April 1 and as late as October 31. Other U.S. cities such as Phoenix, AZ, extend summer fuels into the fall. Also, during emergencies that cause fuel shortages, the EPA has relaxed its rules. 

Internet source

So what's the good news? Better MPG. Cold weather and winter driving conditions reduce fuel economy which, in turn, can reduce mileage as gas blends in winter contain less energy than those in summer. According to the EPA, the summer blend has 1.7% more energy, so, your MPG could be better in summer months to offset some of the added cost when filling up.

Also, gas costs are expected to level off as the winter to summer gas change is done and not expected to rise much in coming weeks. The average price of gas in the U.S. today is about is $3.66 per gallon. Currently, the average price per gallon in NH is about $3.57.

These figures are well below the highest U.S. gas prices. In California, a gallon of regular gas is priced at an average of $5.40 per gallon, followed by Hawaii, Nevada, Washington and Oregon at between $4.50 and $4.81 per gallon. The country's lowest gas prices are in Mississippi, Colorado, Oklahoma Louisiana, Arkansas averaging from $3.10 to $3.20.

In case you consider these costs high,, they're not when compared to international gas costs: residents of Hong Kong pay the highest gas prices with 1 gallon averaging $11.43 followed by Iceland at $8.91 and Monaco at $8.49 per gallon just a few examples.

Summer Driving Tips. According to the Automobile Association of America (AAA), there's ways to lessen the higher cost of summer gas by following a few driving habits to conserve fuel: Keep tires properly inflated; avoid rapid acceleration and braking; use cruise control for highway driving when it’s safe to do so.

Now I know something new to me, and so do you.

Your Turn — Have you also noticed an increase in gas prices in your state?

How About That ?

It's official, again, as Merriam-Webster stated in an online post that a sentence can end with a preposition. 

As someone who writes a lot, this declaration was much appreciated. Admittedly, I know I've not adhered to the former "rule" about prepositions. How about you?.

Now, the long-held authority on the English language has unleashed writers (as we all are at one time or another) from the constraints of what many have long regarded as a grammatical faux-pas. 

To be sure, dictionary publishers like Merriam-Webster are not rule makers nor rule breakers, but rather report how language is used and how people speak.

Among grammarians and lexicographers, Merriam-Webster's declarations are widely accepted. That's because for over 150 years, in print and now online, its been America's leading provider of language information.

This isn't the first time the online dictionary has tried to end the end preposition prohibition. As with many long-held beliefs, it's a tough one to dislodge with such a centuries old stronghold. 

Prepositions are common in the English language with over 150 in use, including these common ones: above, across, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, down, from, in, into, near, of, off, on, to, toward, under, upon, with and within.

If the ending preposition is "permissible" and "not wrong" is it right?

That depends on whether or not you agree with the Merriam-Webster declaration.

In its online post, the dictionary publisher stated: It is permissible in English for a preposition to be what you end a sentence with." 

The post continued, The idea that it should be avoided came from writers who were trying to align the language with Latin, but there is no reason to suggest ending a sentence with a preposition is wrong.

The people who claim that a terminal preposition is wrong are clinging to an idea born in the 17th century and largely abandoned by grammar and usage experts in the early 20th.

Soon enough, the post ignited emphatic responses. Many of the respondents were steadfast in believing that a concluding preposition was lazy or unusual; others embraced the permission.

Why such a reaction?

Merriam-Webster touched on a heretofore grammar no-no of ending a sentence with a preposition, a restriction that many, including myself, have grown up with from primary school. That lead to finding ways to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition. 

Learning there's no such rule was a big deal for some who still cling onto a long-held belief. Personally, I'm delighted to let it go. (Advance apology if you get an ear worm from the song , Let it Go,  from the Disney film, Frozen.)

Who Made This Rule & When?

This grammar issue has been a concern for years. There's dissent on how it became common to admonish those who ended a sentence with an of, to, through or with. 

The story dates to the 17th century and involves two Englishmen, grammarian and rhetorician, Joshua Poole, and John Dryden, poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright. Both men along with others wanted to make English more like Latin. 

English poet John Dryden

In 1668, Dryden was appointed England's first Poet Laureate and, in 1672, he chastised English playwright and poet Ben Jonson stating: The preposition in the end of the sentence; a common fault with him. Jonson himself wasn't concerned with this criticism, he had died years earlier in 1637.

It's a shared issue as many credit Poole with creating the rule and Dryden for popularizing it. Both men and others wanted to make English grammar more like Latin, a language in which a structurally sound sentence can't and with a preposition.

In the 18th century, some folks decided Dryden was correct and began advising against the end preposition.

Sometimes, the advice was never to end a sentence with a preposition. Other times it was more general, for instance, Noah Webster, in a 1784 book on grammar, advised against separating prepositions from the words which they govern. He conceded that grammarians seem to allow of this mode of expression in conversation and familiar writings, but it is generally considered inelegant, and in the grave and sublime styles, is certainly inadmissible.

Even though there's no reason to suggest ending a sentence with a preposition is wrong. The idea that was a rule became widespread.

By the 20th century, however, most grammar and usage guides had concluded that there was nothing wrong with terminal (end) prepositions. In fact, there has been, for about 100 years now, near unanimity in this regard from usage guides. The matter must therefore be settled, right?

Apparently, that wasn't exactly the case.

Those determined to hold onto the "rule," no matter how many times they're informed that it really isn’t one, find the end preposition so annoying. According to articles I read, they've gone so far as to contact the editor of a newspaper when they find an occurrence.

English statesman Winston Churchill

In a similar vein, many who like to use end prepositions will give some mangled version of a quote incorrectly attributed to English statesman Winston Churchill, This is the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put. 

The story goes that when an overzealous editor attempted to rearrange one of Churchill's sentences to avoid it ending in a preposition, the Prime Minister scribbled the single sentence in response. Like so many Churchill quotes, this was almost certainly never said by him, but it does make for a great anecdote.

What to Know

Not only can you end a sentence with a preposition, but there's no problem doing it. In many sentences, where it's been avoided, it would have been better to have ended with a preposition. 

If you don’t like to end your sentences with prepositions, it's OK too, just don’t claim it's a rule. Conversely, if you prefer to end sentences using with or to, that's OK too. But, don’t quote Churchill when someone says that you shouldn’t.

Merriam-Webster captioned its now controversial post: That's what we're talking about which sounds much better than: That's about what we are talking?

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated is an American company that publishes reference books and is the oldest dictionary publisher in the U.S. In 1831, George and Charles Merriam founded the company as G & C Merriam Co. in Springfield, MA. In 1843, after the death of Noah Webster, the company bought the rights to An American Dictionary of the English Language from his estate. All Merriam-Webster dictionaries trace their lineage to this source. In 1964, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., acquired Merriam-Webster, Inc., as a subsidiary. The company adopted its current name, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, in 1982.

Happy Leap Year — From Our Pad to Yours

Mah Jongg Anyone?

That the game of mah jongg (Americanized name) supposedly sharpens memory, improves concentration, and challenges the brain. It's known by various names: mah jongg, mah jong, mahjong or maahj and there are two versions, Chinese and American

Since I celebrated a milestone birthday recently, I thought that if learning the game would help in even one of those areas, then why not?

Even better, the public library here in Nashua, NH, was offering a series of four free lessons for American mah jongg with a request that those at the first session commit to attend all the weekly sessions. That's understandable as the two sisters teaching the class were also volunteering their time.

So given an opportunity to possibly improve my cognitive abilities and get at least an introduction to a game that has always fascinated me — what's not to like. After all, free is good as well.

Internet source

If you're wondering why learning this game is good for your mind, it's because it requires a player to be calculating and decide on every move using strategy. These variables must be balanced together in a short time — before another person wins. 

OK, not to target specific age groups as I'm also in the seniors category, but researchers, who studied the effects of playing the game on human brains, concluded that compared to non-players, the minds of mah jongg players were sharper with longer lasting memory. A conclusion was that regular playing could improve short-term memory, attention, and logical thinking in middle aged and elderly adults. Studies have also shown that stimulating intelligence through game playing and puzzling solving could even prevent or delay dementia.

Hmmm, now where was I? (just kidding)

Internet source

Experts are mixed on whether games have long-term brain benefits. Some counter that, while games stimulate the brain in important ways, other beneficial and scientifically proven ways to improve brain health, include physical activity, diet and social engagement. Research has not proven if these might actually prevent cognitive decline.

In short, there's agreement and disagreement even among aging experts. Regardless, most agree there’s more good than harm done playing games, doing puzzles or brain games. A good thing to know.

Maj jongg solitaire

The mah jongg game that many play through online apps is a single-player matching game, often referred to as mah jongg solitaire. It uses the same tiles as in traditional Chinese mah jong.

I've played some of these versions without knowing that it was nothing like playing the actual game.

The traditional Chinese game, mah jong, which translates to sparrows, is a four-player game with rules similar to the card game of rummy. Sparrows are shown on traditional sets of tiles. Theories as to why mah jongg is so named are that the moving of tiles resembles the noise of sparrows. (To me, the moving around of mah jongg tiles doesn't sound anything like bird sounds, just clatter.) 

As noted above, mah jongg is a rummy-like game that's played with tiles not cards. While it started in China as a variant of card games, its exact origins are shrouded in story and myth. Some claim it was the game of Chinese royalty, played in secret to keep the knowledge private. Others claim it was invented by a Chinese general to amuse troops during long months of battle. 

Joseph P. Babcock

Its introduction in the U.S. was through Joseph P. Babcock, an engineer who worked for the Standard Oil Company in Shanghai and Beijing in the 1920s where he and his wife enjoyed playing a Chinese tile game. He created a simplified version of Mahjong with a goal of introducing the game to America. 

He trademarked the spelling Mah-Jongg and began exporting sets to the states. Since the game could be confusing to Westerners and to increase interest, Babcock added Arabic numerals and Western letters, simplified, published rules that became the American standard and invented racks to facilitate playing. 

When the game was introduced in the U.S. and incorporated into an American version, it was eagerly enjoyed by not only the American public, but also by European game players. As the sets became popular, Babock, ever the promoter and salesman, advertised the game as a cerebral pursuit. He fabricated a posthumous endorsement from Confucius, odd considering that Confucious had died some 2,000 years before the game was ever played.

Mah-Jongg trademark advertisement page
Toys and Novelties, September 1924 

The main difference between American mah jongg and Chinese mahjong, the traditional game established in China, is that hands allowed in American mah jongg are listed on a card. These hands change on an annual basis, but the allowed hands in Chinese mahjong never change. Another key difference is that in American mah jongg, The Charleston involves the passing of three unwanted tiles from one player to another. 

A Chinese mahjong set has 144 tiles, an American set has 152 (with the inclusion of 8 joker tiles) and can cost more as it has more tiles and includes a set of racks to hold them. More tiles, the addition of racks, and a larger box makes the set more expensive. Many manufacturers also include added extra tiles to replace any lost ones.

Playing the Game

Mah jongg tile suits

Mah-jongg tiles consist of three suits of one through nine referred to by specific names: Craks (called characters, wan, or ten thousand), bams (called bamboos or sticks), and dots (called balls or circles). Special tiles are: winds (North, East, West, South), dragons (red, green, white), flowers and jokers. In American Mah-Jongg, season tiles are referred to as flowers.

The game is played with four players seated around a table. Tiles are shuffled, die are cast, and rituals involving the allocation of tiles and then the exchange of tiles begin. The first person to match a hand of 14 tiles and call mah jongg ends the game. How fast a game is played depends on the level of the players experience (newbies tend to need more time). With experienced players, a game finishes in less 10-15 minutes so many are played in the course of a few hours. 

Many variations exist, most have some basic rules in common such as how a piece is drawn and discarded, the use of suits (numbered tiles) and honors (winds and dragons), how to deal the tiles and the order of play. Beyond the basic common rules, regional variations may have different criteria, different scoring or extra rules. A group of players may introduce house rules that change the feel of play.

Of course, there is quite a bit a lot more to the game playing procedure. As a beginner (newbie) I'm still learning about the its intricacies, which will take more than the 4 lessons. The library hosts a mah jongg playing group, which everyone has been encouraged to join.

Who sets the rules in the American playing community?

The National Mah Jongg League headquartered in NYC standardizes the American version rules. In 1937, a group of female Jewish mah jongg enthusiasts met in New York City to ensure that they were all playing the same game with the same rules and winning hands. Soon, the group developed a card with winning hands and took it when traveling. Women they played with adopted the card, taking it back home. Within a couple of years, the card went viral with women countrywide using it and rules set forth by the newly established National Mah Jongg League which today is headed by David and Larry Unger, whose late mother, Ruth, was a founder.

Current 2023 rules card

Each year, the League changes the hands and rules. An official rules card issued annually contains hands for the current year. The 2024 card will be available in April; there is a $15 cost.

 

Creation of the rules card is a volunteer-led process that's continued for over 8 decades years. Starting in August, a group meets to discuss the new card. Collectively, group members have over 500 years of combined playing experience. They play variations and improve the winning hands and in November finalize the card that will be used in the coming year.

Last year over 350,000 members ordered a card to see what hands they would be playing in 2023. Proceeds from sales of the card benefit charities.The organization has supported various organizations including Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Deborah Hospital, Epilepsy Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, Make A Wish Foundation, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Muscular Dystrophy Association and others.

Formal dress not a play requirement

The game surged in popularity in the U.S. until the 1950s, followed by a decline. Today, mah jongg is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with millions of dedicated players worldwide and various Internet and computer versions. 

Soon, I hope to be counted among them.

Your turn — do you play?