[PW] "The Great State of . . ."

[Peter Underwood]

>From time-to-time one hears of politicians in the United States referring to "The Great State of . . .", (Georgia, for example).  Is this a rhetorical flourish or part of the official name of the jurisdiction?  If the former, at what period did this affectation begin?



 
N.B. New e-mail address -- please update your address books! Peter.Underwood at uct.ac.za
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Peter G. Underwood
4.03 Hoerikwaggo (Building 27)
North Lane, Upper Campus
University of Cape Town
Private Bag X03      tel:   +27 (0)21 650 3091
RONDEBOSCH       fax: +27 (0)21 650 4542
7700                       e-mail: Peter.Underwood at uct.ac.za
South Africa
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