# Puzzle - ordering of US States **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573 "2002-08-12T18:21:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Wulfgar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Wulfgar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wulfgar)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/141 "2002-12-29T04:29:49Z")
Doesn’t seem to have anything to do with war casulties in WWII, Korea, or Vietnam. [cite](http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/misc/stcas.htm) hmmmmm…😕 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/142 "2002-12-29T04:43:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Markxxx \* > \*\*Hmmmm… > > Did we get any more states? \*\* to date 1. Delaware 2. Connecticut 3. Massachusetts 4. Rhode Island 5. New Jersey 6. Illinois 7. Wisconsin 8. Texas 9. Arkansas 10. Louisiana 11. Indiana 12. Ohio 13. Iowa 14. Arizona 15. Alabama 16. Mississippi 17. Florida 18. Minnesota 19. West Virginia ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/143 "2002-12-29T05:26:04Z")
This is probably the biggest hint: > [@](#): > > Here is a summary of every previous comment > > 1)n/a > 2) history buff? strange pattern? > 3)USA today? Chart? > 4)not constitution ammendment > 5)not date flag adopted, not flower, nor census state rankings > 6) order electorals reported for pres. election. > 7) not 6 > 8) national geographic? other pub? > 9) olympic torch path > 10) not postcard trip > 11) not state quarter, not alphabeical of state trees, birds, flowers > > - teacher salary? state property taxes? > > 1. n/a > 2. not zipcode number order, not area code number order, not hwy > number, order of univesity founded? , not NASA satellite passovers, > not map connectedness, not population, letter ending? > 3. gun fatalaties? > 4. n/a > 5. not 14 > 6. not math of letters > 7. n/a > 8. n/a > 9. n/a > 10. letter ending? > 11. geographical clustering? > 12. geographical clustering? > 13. n/a > 14. in Sports Illustrated? > 15. not most murders, not best teacher salary, not most populus, not > largest city, not safest city, not best education, not best hospitals, > not best state for kids, in a publication for kids? > 16. not letter ending… > 17. not in state fact finder > 18. baseball - yankee conference? other sport which states are strong? > 19. population per square mile? > 20. not 30 > 21. n/a > 22. ratio? > 23. not Gross state product… number of scientists and engineers? > number of patients per 1000 workers? number of office jobs? number > imported fresh fish? > 24. freedom train (after time of hint) The puzzle creator saw this list and said that someone was “on the right track”. I can’t imagine a more important clue. ---
**Author:** ![Splanky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@Splanky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Splanky)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/144 "2002-12-29T05:50:56Z")
Was the Google page continued anywhere? It expired in September and I guess the board was shut off. They never posted an answer either. I’d really like to know, because I’ll surely become paranoid if I don’t find out the answer. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/145 "2002-12-29T16:09:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yabob \* > \*\*Be sure to check through the chatter on the link provided by the OP. It eliminates a bunch of stuff, and the guy posing it adds the following clues: > It turns out that the guy works at Microsoft, in the Sports Games Studio, where the contest originated. The originator of the contest was the head of the studio, and, thus, there is a strong possibility that it’s sports related. He also promises $100 to anybody who cracks it for him, so be sure to take him up on it. \*\* Maybe. It would have to do with players’ states of orgin, college sports or something along those lines, rather than state’s professional teams, though, since some states (most of New England for example) don’t have a single professional sport. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/146 "2002-12-29T19:23:55Z")
Cecil, where are you? ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/147 "2002-12-30T19:19:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Splanky \* > \*\*Was the Google page continued anywhere? It expired in September and I guess the board was shut off. They never posted an answer either. I’d really like to know, because I’ll surely become paranoid if I don’t find out the answer. \*\* It’s still going, and still unsolved: [https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=66398](https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=66398) The puzzle originator is, apparently, commenting there, too (though the guy who posted the puzzle no longer posts or answers e-mail). And we’re up to 23 states now: 1. Delaware 2. Connecticut 3. Massachusetts 4. Rhode Island 5. New Jersey 6. Illinois 7. Wisconsin 8. Texas 9. Arkansas 10. Louisiana 11. Indiana 12. Ohio 13. Iowa 14. Arizona 15. Alabama 16. Mississippi 17. Florida 18. Minnesota 19. West Virginia 20. Maryland 21. Pennsylvania 22. Georgia 23. Kentucky ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/148 "2002-12-30T20:14:05Z")
IMHO good puzzles have a logical way to get to the conclusion and I’m inclined to say this isn’t one. It’s like asking what Anna Nicole Smith, Kofi Annan and James Brown all have in common: they’ve never been to my house. It may not be quite on that level but it’s looking more like a snipe hunt all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/149 "2002-12-30T20:50:30Z")
The solution will either make you groan because it was so easy, or so obscure. I hope its the former. ---
**Author:** ![Rogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@Rogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rogg)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/150 "2002-12-30T22:57:19Z")
Most of my creditors have moved to Delaware, because the state laws regarding credit cards are most creditor-favorable in that state…highest allowable interest rates, late fees, etc. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/151 "2002-12-31T00:24:09Z")
If it wasn’t for the presence of Arizona on the list, I’d guess population density. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/152 "2003-01-02T04:13:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zut \* > \*\*Whoa. I guess I was wrong about Delaware not having driver’s licenses. I was basing that statement off of information on [this page](http://www.carbuyingtips.com/driver-licenses.htm), which clearly says "Delaware Drivers Licenses (Don’t have one)… \*\* No, it says that Delaware’s driver’s license bureau doesn’t have a website. Look at rest of the page. You have to read it in context. ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/153 "2003-03-12T22:25:21Z")
I think it’s about time we had an answer to this puzzle. ---
**Author:** ![LexNet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8dc957/32.png) [@LexNet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LexNet)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/154 "2003-03-16T00:26:07Z")
Up-to-date info is online at [www.Lex.Net/puzzle](http://www.Lex.Net/puzzle) – which includes an animated list of the order in which the states were added. MOST informative. The complete list of states is now: 1. Delaware 2. Connecticut 3. Massachusetts 4. Rhode Island 5. New Jersey 6. Illinois 7. Wisconsin 8. Texas 9. Arkansas 10. Louisiana 11. Indiana 12. Ohio 13. Iowa 14. Arizona 15. Alabama 16. Mississippi 17. Florida 18. Minnesota 19. West Virginia 20. Maryland 21. Pennsylvania 22. Georgia 23. Kentucky 24. North Carolina 25. Tennessee 26. Virginia 27. South Carolina ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/155 "2003-05-16T06:03:25Z")
_BUMP_ - any updates on this puzzle? There’s been nothing since 3/15. No new info on the [Lex.net](http://Lex.net) site - is there any more info (a new state?!) from Microsoft people, or a “more official” website? ---
**Author:** ![smam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/156 "2003-05-16T12:32:16Z")
1. Delaware 2. Connecticut 3. Massachusetts 4. Rhode Island 5. New Jersey 6. Illinois 7. Wisconsin 8. Texas 9. Arkansas 10. Louisiana 11. Indiana 12. Ohio 13. Iowa 14. Arizona 15. Alabama 16. Mississippi 17. Florida 18. Minnesota 19. West Virginia 20. Maryland 21. Pennsylvania 22. Georgia 23. Kentucky 24. North Carolina 25. Tennessee 26. Virginia 27. South Carolina Perhaps they are placed in the order of states that are most often mis-spelt by [Google.com](http://Google.com) or kids of a certain age. I can see how some people may find it easy to incorrectly spell the states that come early on in the list, you know Texas could be Texis to some people etc. Pennsylvania kind of messes up my theory but I suppose most people would know how to spell it because of the Sylvania Families toys perhaps. Anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/157 "2003-05-16T12:53:11Z")
How do people spell “New Jersey” wrong? Or Delaware, for that matter? CT and MA, yes… ---
**Author:** ![LexNet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8dc957/32.png) [@LexNet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LexNet)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/158 "2003-05-16T15:54:16Z")
Hi, All – I’ll try this weekend to get the puzzle updated here and at the official site – [www.Lex.Net/puzzle](http://www.Lex.Net/puzzle) ---
**Author:** ![smam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/159 "2003-05-16T16:13:32Z")
New Jersee, Delawear, Conneticut, Massachutis, Road iland, Illanoy, Wizconsin, Arkansaw, Louiseanna, Indyanna, Ohioh, You get the picture. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/160 "2003-05-16T16:30:56Z")
I’d find it difficult to believe that Ohio is misspelled more often than Tennessee. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573.md?page=9)