How did "Mississippi" become the state name used when counting seconds?

[excavating_for_a_mind]

@CalMeacham

I know, but I give you what I find. And the other “spacers” are relevant.
I don’t know why “Mississippi” got the nod as the most common state, but my naïve guess would be that it was simply because it’s a long single-word state name. But Pennsylvania’s longer and has as many syllables. I think they ought to sue.

Oh, c’mon! Mississippi is the poorest state in the union! Can’t you rich guys think of anything else besides how to take things away for poor people?