# Your geographical misconceptions **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 30, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294 "2020-12-30T20:58:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 49
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/964 "2026-07-23T13:30:50Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > I had the same misconception about Vancouver, WA and Vancouver, BC. Me too. My son was running in the NAIA cross country nationals in Vancouver, WA and I assumed that I could fairly easily pair attending that with seeing my cousins in Seattle. Uh, nope. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/965 "2026-07-23T14:04:52Z")
Following this thread, I have often pulled up Google Maps to affirm what has been stated. This morning, while looking at the map of the USA, I realized a fact that I had never before considered. I live in Kansas, smack dab in the middle of the country, approximately equidistant from both coasts. If I were to drive to the west coast, I could take a route that would take me through four states: Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. But if I were to drive to the east coast, I could do so by travelling through just three states: Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. That, however, is with a caveat: the 60-mile-long border between Missouri and Kentucky is the Mississippi River. And there are no bridges along that stretch of the river. There is, however, the [Dorena-Hickman Toll Ferry] ([http://www.dorena-hickmanferryboat.com/](http://www.dorena-hickmanferryboat.com/)) that crosses the river about 15 times each day during daylight hours. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/966 "2026-07-23T14:32:29Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > But if I were to drive to the east coast, I could do so by travelling through just three states: Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. > > That, however, is with a caveat: the 60-mile-long border between Missouri and Kentucky is the Mississippi River. And there are no bridges along that stretch of the river. You could replace Kentucky with Tennessee in your itinerary. There’s the I-155 bridge between MO and TN. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/967 "2026-07-23T14:46:13Z")
This isn’t a misconception, more of a trivia question, what country is in all 4 hemispheres? A: The Pacific archipelagic state of Kiribati. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/968 "2026-07-23T14:56:01Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > You could replace Kentucky with Tennessee in your itinerary. There’s the I-155 bridge between MO and TN. I absolutely could! Good catch. I could also then replace Virginia with North Carolina. Or Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/969 "2026-07-23T18:13:30Z")
> [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](#): > > In reality, they’re named after types of jumper. Long Jump? High Jump? 🤣 Bill Bryson asked why do the British call Sweaters = Jumpers?" ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/970 "2026-07-23T19:15:24Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > why do the British call Sweaters = Jumpers? I think it is because women are supposed to jump while wearing them. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/971 "2026-07-23T22:17:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Bill Bryson asked why do the British call Sweaters = Jumpers?" Why do Americans call jumpers sweaters? Are they supposed to sweat in them? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/972 "2026-07-23T23:48:16Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > Why do Americans call jumpers sweaters? Are they supposed to sweat in them? Well, yeah. > [@eschereal](#): > > I think it is because women are supposed to jump while wearing them. > **[Why Are Sweaters Called Jumpers?](https://www.gingtto.com/blogs/news/why-are-sweaters-called-jumpers?srsltid=AfmBOoqhX4XWXHxJ5X1kbw3Wm3JC8q--ys9NZTtAnBPkc5cq-ZqBMnPl)** > > The term "jumper" for a sweater is primarily used in British English and some Commonwealth countries. It's a curious name, given that sweaters don't typically involve jumping. So, where does this peculiar terminology come from? The Origins of the... ### \> Jumper as a Smock > In the early 19th century, the term “jumper” was used to describe a type of **loose-fitting, sleeveless smock** commonly worn by sailors and workers. > > These garments were practical and protective, worn over regular clothing to keep the wearer warm or shielded from the elements. > > The idea of a jumper as a protective outer garment eventually evolved into its association with knitted woolen tops, which similarly served the purpose of warmth and protection… > > In contrast, **“sweater”** is the term primarily used in the United States and Canada. The word “sweater” is derived from the notion that the garment makes the wearer sweat, as it is typically made from warm, insulating materials such as wool or cotton. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/973 "2026-07-24T00:35:43Z")
In contrast to the american sweatshirt, which is like a heavy T-shirt, to be worn while doing things that might make you sweat. Do they have T-shirts in UK? To be worn at around 4pm, whilst eating little cakes? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/974 "2026-07-24T00:42:13Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Do they have T-shirts in UK? Of course, but sometimes just called a “tee”. > [@eschereal](#): > > To be worn at around 4pm, whilst eating little cakes? 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/975 "2026-07-24T03:36:44Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > what country is in all 4 hemispheres? There’s a problem with that question. Specifically, the use of the word ‘hemisphere’ there. A hemisphere is half a sphere, not a quarter of one. I don’t think we have a term for a 1/4th sphere, but perhaps **quartarisphere** or maybe **quartosphere** would work. (Latin experts are invited to chime in if my suggestions are insufficiently Latinish.) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/976 "2026-07-24T03:48:40Z")
But if you allow for overlapping a sphere can have 4 halves, the top one, the bottom one, the left one and the right one, or North, South, West, East… ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/977 "2026-07-24T03:57:30Z")
But the question implies 4 non-overlapping sections. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/978 "2026-07-24T06:19:57Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > Why do Americans call jumpers sweaters? Are they supposed to sweat in them? > [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, yeah. Surely just to keep warm though, not to actually sweat in? If a garment makes me sweat I take it off, I’m too hot (deliberate exercise excepted perhaps). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/979 "2026-07-24T07:10:40Z")
Crikey, I knew it would be a mistake not to code switch. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/980 "2026-07-24T11:52:23Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > Surely just to keep warm though, not to actually sweat in? If a garment makes me sweat I take it off, I’m too hot (deliberate exercise excepted perhaps). I think you want Sartorial Misconceptions, down the hall ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/981 "2026-07-24T12:45:56Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > But the question implies 4 non-overlapping sections. I understand your concern, but I don’t agree with it. I _think_ most people would understand that the question means north/south and east/west independently because of the use of the word _hemisphere_, but perhaps the question could be worded more clearly. If you go with Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest the question would work, except those aren’t hemispheres. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/982 "2026-07-24T12:46:32Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > But the question implies 4 non-overlapping sections. No, I don’t think so. There are four hemispheres of the Earth that anyone ever talks about, northern, southern, eastern, and western. A reference to “all four hemispheres” means those four. Of course, if you don’t limit it to those four, then every point on Earth is in an infinite number of hemispheres. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294/983 "2026-07-24T12:51:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > No, I don’t think so. There are four hemispheres of the Earth that anyone ever talks about, northern, southern, eastern, and western. A reference to “all four hemispheres” means those four. Then in that case, France is also an answer to the question, since it’s in the North, East and West hemispheres just in Metropolitan France and French Guiana is in the South hemisphere. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294.md?page=48) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-geographical-misconceptions/929294.md?page=50)