# A poll about your knowldege of the greatest state in the U S of A: Kentucky! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508 "2006-02-28T20:11:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/21 "2006-02-28T21:16:57Z")
Answers to my questions: 1. Memorial Coliseum 2. Martha Layne Collins 3. Alben W. Barkley was born in Wheel, KY, which sadly no longer exists. 4. 120 5. UK has never played the Racers of Murray State University in basketball. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/22 "2006-02-28T21:28:37Z")
Again, I haven’t looked at any posts beyond this one for answers, and I’m going solely off my memory here… > [@brianjedi](#): > > 1. Where did Kentucky play basketball before Rupp Arena was built? I know there’s a Memorial Gym where the women’s team plays. Is that where the men’s games used to be contested? 1. Who was the first female governor? Of Kentucky, Martha Collins. Of any U.S. state, Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming. 1. Harry Truman’s vice-president was from Kentucky. What was his name, and where was he born? Alben Barkley, who only served during Truman’s full term (the one the Chicago paper erroneously believed Dewey had denied HST). Harry had no veep for the 1945-early 1949 portion of his administration. The word “veep” was coined (or at least popularized) when Barkley was the proverbial heartbeat away from becoming the most powerful man in the world. I’ve heard/read where Barkley was from, but can’t recall the town’s name right now. 1. How many counties does Kentucky have? It’s over 100 – 120, I believe. The name of the county is on the license plates, and the most commonly-seen ones are Jefferson (Louisville) and Fayette (Lexington). 1. There is only one Division I university in the state that UK has never played in basketball. Which one is it? Obviously not Louisville (though the 'Cats and Cardinals didn’t play in the regular season for many years). I’m left with Western Kentucky, Morehead State, Murray State, and Eastern Kentucky. I’ll guess Morehead State because it gives me an opportunity to mention my friend Crystal, a graduate of that school, and a woman whose last name happens to be shared by one of UK’s all-time hoops greats.) As for the query about commonwealths posed by **Airman Doors, USAF** : There are seven I can think of 😃 – the USA-administered Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the (British) Commonwealth of Nations, and the states of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/23 "2006-02-28T21:29:09Z")
Ok, without reading past the OP: 1. I want to say two…possibly three. 2. Umm…Kentucky Derby, Preakness and…ah, damn…right on the tip of my tongue…ah well, I forget. No idea of the order. 3. A young horse? 4. Harlan 5. 11, I believe. 6. \ 7. \ 8. Nope. What else I know about Kentucky: You’ve got a very nice amusement park in Kentucky Kingdom – had a blast there on one of our “drive around the country riding roller coasters” road trips. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/24 "2006-02-28T21:32:01Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > Tell me how Kentucky is the greatest state? Don’t worry Jim…you and I know better. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/25 "2006-02-28T21:35:57Z")
1. What age are the horses in the Kentucky Derby? **2?** 2. What are the three races in the Triple Crown, in correct order? **Preakness, umm something with two words, and Derby, in that order?** 3. What’s a gelding? **de-nutted male horse** 4. What is Colonel Sanders’s first name? **Harlan** 5. How many “secret herbs and spices” does KFC use? **11?** 6. How many NCAA men’s basketball championships has the University of Kentucky won? **Who the hell pays attention to men’s basketball? The women are more fun to watch!** 7. Who is the majority whip of the US senate (also Kentucky’s senior senator)? **dunno that one** 8. Have you ever heard of Ale-8-1? **I can confidently state that I have not** ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/26 "2006-02-28T22:28:33Z")
To clear it up, [www.kfc.com](http://www.kfc.com) lists the correct spelling as Harland. And I never really did understand the alleged wonderfulness of Ale-8-1. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/27 "2006-02-28T22:36:07Z")
I’m from the UK, now living in the San Francisco Bay Area. _(no peeking at previous answers.)_ 1. What age are the horses in the Kentucky Derby? **3 years old, I think.** 2. What are the three races in the Triple Crown, in correct order? **Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Derby, Preakness.** (That’s the correct _alphabetical_ order. 😛 ) 3. What’s a gelding? **A castrated male horse.** 4. What is Colonel Sanders’s first name? **Harlan.** 5. How many “secret herbs and spices” does KFC use? **Eleven.** 6. How many NCAA men’s basketball championships has the University of Kentucky won? **No idea, and I’ll forget as soon as someone tells me.** 7. Who is the majority whip of the US senate (also Kentucky’s senior senator)? **Mitch McConnell.** 8. Have you ever heard of Ale-8-1? **Yes.** Not only have I heard of it (although I remember it as being “Ale-81”, and people just called it “Ale-8”), but I have actually _drunk_ it in its town of origin, Winchester KY, while eating a “Hot Brown” sandwich (which is from the Brown Hotel, Louisville, IIRC). I stayed in Winchester for a few days on a consulting job at GTE Sylvania. Ale-81 is a ginger drink, although I don’t remeber what else is in it. I make my own ginger beer, so now I’m tempted to try to recreate an Ale-81. If only I had the secret formula… ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/28 "2006-02-28T22:44:07Z")
I can’t answer any of those questions, and frankly I’d be hard-pressed to give half an arse about any of them. Well, I might give half an arse about the baskeball one, and at least three quarters of an arse about the Senator (but probably not _to_ the Senator). Now that I think about it I would’ve been able to answer the Colonel Sanders’ question a few years ago, but no more. I think the nickname comes from an award he won called the Kentucky Colonel, having to do with some community service he did or something. I do know that Kentucky-grown marijuana, known in the smokers’ parlance as Kentucky Bluegrass, has a great rep. Some Kentuckians will tell you it’s better than Southern California chronic. I’ve never smoked the stuff and I’m not a currently practicing smoker, so I couldn’t tell ya, but having smoked a lot of Southern California chronic in my lifetime (and a lot of Arizona stuff, too–yech!) I can tell you I have a hard time believing the latter claim. Disclaimer: Don’t do drugs. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/29 "2006-02-28T22:44:40Z")
Since this is a poll, it belongs in IMHO. I’ll move it there for you. ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/30 "2006-02-28T23:17:17Z")
> [@This space intentionally blank](#): > > I’m from KY, and I’ve lived here all of my life. I’ve also rarely traveled, so I wonder about what I consider “common knowledge,” ie every one _here_ knows, is actually well known outside of KY. So, please tell me which of the following questions you know the answer to, and where you’re from. > > 1. What age are the horses in the Kentucky Derby? > 2. What are the three races in the Triple Crown, in correct order? > 3. What’s a gelding? > 4. What is Colonel Sanders’s first name? > 5. How many “secret herbs and spices” does KFC use? > 6. How many NCAA men’s basketball championships has the University of Kentucky won? > 7. Who is the majority whip of the US senate (also Kentucky’s senior senator)? > 8. Have you ever heard of Ale-8-1? > > That’s all. Thanks. OK, without reading any answers down below. I’m from Los Angeles, born and raised in Calif., never been to Kentucky. 1. I think they’re 1 year old. 2. Belmont, Kentucky Derby and one other. (What does that have to do with KY, by the way?) 3. Gelding is a “fixed” horse. (Again, question as to what that has to do with the state.) 4. Lee? 5. More than 10? 6. 8? 7. Mitch McConnell. 8. Nope. Now I’ll read the thread! ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/31 "2006-02-28T23:28:29Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#): > > As for the query about commonwealths posed by **Airman Doors, USAF** : > > There are seven I can think of 😃 – the USA-administered Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the (British) Commonwealth of Nations, and the states of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. There’s the Commonwealth of Australia too. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/32 "2006-03-01T00:46:28Z")
Former Resident of Danville, KY here - just wanted to state that it is DEFINITELY _Ale-8-1_, and if you look at the top of the [label](http://www.sodapopstop.com/images/products/large_3.jpg) here, you will notice that it says “A Late One” - Yes, they put the pronunciation on the bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/33 "2006-03-01T01:39:01Z")
> [@lawoot](#): > > Former Resident of Danville, KY here - just wanted to state that it is DEFINITELY _Ale-8-1_, and if you look at the top of the [label](http://www.sodapopstop.com/images/products/large_3.jpg) here, you will notice that it says “A Late One” - Yes, they put the pronunciation on the bottle. Hi Lawoot! I live in Lexington and so consider myself disqualified. (and **Brianjedi** should be a little sheepish about going for such easy pickin’s as well… 🙂 ). However, I appear to be the first in this thread to claim that I _routinely_ drink Ale-8-1, in spite of its stupid name. Every Derby day, I’m at the **Drive-Thru Betting** windows at Keeneland. Life is good. I’m hoping that the responses will help underscore the fact that the rest of the world doesn’t necessarily revolve around University of Kentucky basketball. :rolleyes: Go Hoosiers!!! ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/34 "2006-03-01T01:49:10Z")
Wow, I didn’t get a single one. I thought I had #3, but I was wrong. That’s pretty sad! ---
**Author:** ![Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grits_and_Hard_Toast)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/35 "2006-03-01T02:05:07Z")
> [@shelbo](#): > > OK, without reading any answers down below. I’m from Los Angeles, born and raised in Calif., never been to Kentucky. > > 1. I think they’re 1 year old. > 2. Belmont, Kentucky Derby and one other. (What does that have to do with KY, by the way?) > 3. Gelding is a “fixed” horse. (Again, question as to what that has to do with the state.) > 4. Lee? > 5. More than 10? > 6. 8? > 7. Mitch McConnell. > 8. Nope. > > Now I’ll read the thread! The questions you asked wondering what they have to do with Kentucky, I am guessing that the op thinks of these as things people who live in Kentucky know, but others not from Kentucky might not know. I grew up in Northern California, and can tell you where gold was discovered and by who. Why the gold rush led to our wearing jeans. Those are things I doubt most others would know about, but in my part of California is considered common knowledge. I now live in Kentucky, and could answer all but 2 of the questions, I wasn’t here for school, so didn’t know how many counties there were. And I didn’t know the vice president question either, but did know Zachary Taylor was raised in Kentucky, and burried not far from my house. I’ll add a few more questions: 1. Name all the states that share a border with Kentucky. 2. Name as many Kentucky Derby winners as you can, with year if possible. 3. Why is January 1st and important day for thoroughbreds? 4. Why is February 14th and important day for thoroughbreds? 5. Can you fill in the blanks for this unofficial state motto? 6. What qualifications does a horse need to run in the Kentucky Oaks? 7. What president was born in Kentucky? ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/36 "2006-03-01T02:54:34Z")
1. Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia and Missouri. 2. Two, actually: Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/37 "2006-03-01T02:55:58Z")
> [@Kilvert's Pagan](#): > > Hi Lawoot! > > I live in Lexington and so consider myself disqualified. (and **Brianjedi** should be a little sheepish about going for such easy pickin’s as well… 🙂 ). > > However, I appear to be the first in this thread to claim that I _routinely_ drink Ale-8-1, in spite of its stupid name. > > Every Derby day, I’m at the **Drive-Thru Betting** windows at Keeneland. Life is good. > > I’m hoping that the responses will help underscore the fact that the rest of the world doesn’t necessarily revolve around University of Kentucky basketball. :rolleyes: > > Go Hoosiers!!! Hey, I admitted that I was cheating by living here. And you forgot part of that last little line: It’s “Go TO HELL, Hoosiers!” ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/38 "2006-03-01T02:58:18Z")
> [@Grits and Hard Toast](#): > > 1. What president was born in Kentucky? IIRC, Kentucky is the only state to have two presidents at the same time. I’m from NY. Here’s question 21. The University of Kentucky basketball team has a lifetime losing record against which NY college? ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/39 "2006-03-01T03:21:55Z")
1. What age are the horses in the Kentucky Derby? Three 2. What are the three races in the Triple Crown, in correct order? Kentucky Derby Preakness Belmont Stakes 3. What’s a gelding? A Castrated Horse 4. What is Colonel Sanders’s first name? Deion 5. How many “secret herbs and spices” does KFC use? Seven or eleven 6. How many NCAA men’s basketball championships has the University of Kentucky won? I’m sure it’s more than one. 7. Who is the majority whip of the US senate (also Kentucky’s senior senator)? LeVar Burton 8. Have you ever heard of Ale-8-1? No ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508/40 "2006-03-01T03:26:14Z")
> [@Plan B](#): > > IIRC, Kentucky is the only state to have two presidents at the same time. > > I’m from NY. > > Here’s question 21. > > The University of Kentucky basketball team has a lifetime losing record against which NY college? Let’s see… UK is 0-1 against both Cornell and CCNY, and 0-2 against New York University. The CCNY loss was an NIT Quarterfinal in 1950, the NYU losses came in the late 30s and the Cornell loss was in 1966. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-about-your-knowldege-of-the-greatest-state-in-the-u-s-of-a-kentucky/346508.md?page=3)