How big is your TV?

When you buy a television set, it is measured diagonally. A big one measures 26 inches. Why don't they measure the width across the top? Well, it would measure 22 inches and you would think it was smaller.

Why is a watch called a "watch"?

It is from Old English meaning to "keep vigil." The first watches were carried by night watchmen. Early clocks struck the hour. "Clock" was derived from the Latin word cloca, meaning "bell." Watches have minute and hour hands. So you really have to literally watch the watch to find out what time it is. A worker who works by the hour may be clock watcher, not a watch watcher.

Tissue paper and weddings

When you receive wedding invitations from the printer, you also receive a box of tissue paper to put in them before you mail them. Why? Because it keeps the fresh ink off the invitation. This is no longer necessary because the printer now uses ink that dries fast and is no longer necessary.

Wrist watches on left wrist

Do you wonder why you wear your wrist watch on your left wrist? Well, there is a reason. Probably because most people are right-handed and uses the right hand to do the thinks that might damage the watch. Have you ever seen a right-handed person try to buckle a leather strap on his right wrist? Also he does most things with his right hand, such as winding the watch and he might damage the watch if it is on the right wrist if he is doing heavy work with his right hand.

Why is a hamless burger called a "hamburger"?

Because it isn't named for the meat in it, but because it is named from the city where it was popularized--Hamburg, Germany.

Why is there no Channel 1 on television?

There was a channel 1, but the FCC gave back the band to original users--mobile radios. Television bands are much wider than radio bands, and as anyone who has a radio with TV-audio reception knows, the TV band is just an extension of the FM frequencies.

Why are TV sets measured diagonally?

Scott J. Stevens, of General Electric, says "The diagonal measurement is larger than either the horizontal or vertical measurement, hence making the picture appear as large as possible to potential customers."

How did the football get its shape?

The Danes occupied England in the 11th Century. They were vanquished by the English in 1042, and an Englishman dug up the skull of a Danish soldier and kicked it around the field. Others did likewise, but the skulls were hard on the kicker's foot. So they inflated cow bladders and would drop one between neighboring towns.

Contestants never touched the ball with their hands. (They called the game "futballe".) King Henry II banned the sport because his soldiers were playing "futballe" instead of practicing archery. The game continued to be played for the next 400 years, although it had been outlawed.

Dr. A.O. Goldsmith of Kennett is a retired director of the School of Journalism, Louisiana State University.