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Entertainment > Xlvi in Indianapolis
 

Xlvi in Indianapolis

I have a confession to make.

I never learned my Roman numerals. I don't think I could have figured out XLVI is 46, as in this year's Super Bowl. I think I was born in MCMXLIIV! But I'm not positive.

Was I day dreaming in class when this was taught? What I know has been through experience over the years. I took French in high school, not Latin. Am I alone?

Oh, I suppose the XLVI block letters standing magestically in front of Indianapolis' downtown Circle Monument looks more impressive than 46. But I think that's because we've grown accustomed to seeing these "numerals" to represent the S.B.
And why are they called "numerals"? They're letters.

This is a huge week for Indianapolis: Another feather in the cap for the "sports capital of America". They have no large universities (IU and Purdue are 50 miles south and north).
No seaside, no mountains, no national parks. Just flat land.

Yet, the city has transformed itself from a laid back "Naptown" (a former perjorative name) to a vibrant, exciting "happening" place to visit. They have knocked themselves out putting on a good show. Locals and out-of-towners alike have given thumbs-up reviews to all the pre-game hype events and activities.

Remember the saying in "Field of Dreams"? It's been true of Indy: "Build it and they will come." A stadium brought in the Colts from Baltimore. A Field House brought in the Pacers, Pan-Am games and NCAA Final Four basketball, etc.

Kudos to my state's capital city. Enjoy the festivities!

posted on Jan 31, 2012 6:10 AM ()

Comments:

I struggle with Roman numerals too and yet I have to figure out how to write them correctly when the volume number changes in a newsletter from one year to the next. It is getting to where my little rental in Indianapolis is worth almost as much as my house in Florida- more if you base the price on square footage.
comment by dragonflyby on Feb 6, 2012 10:31 AM ()
I'm surprised. Indy housing is considered cheap by most US standards.
reply by solitaire on Feb 7, 2012 6:01 AM ()
And here I was thinking of doing another piece on DFW as the "sports capital of America." It seems Indy may be seriously competing for that title, though. I think they are called "numerals" because they were the way the Romans made their numbers. I have a decent working knowledge of Roman numerals, simply because they appear a lot in crosswords, and I do a lot of crossword puzzles.
comment by redimpala on Feb 1, 2012 7:55 AM ()
I finally figured out what DFW was when I got to the end of the reply. I am going to a Super Bowl party. No football fan, but I like the commercials.
reply by boots586 on Feb 2, 2012 5:09 PM ()
I do one crossword a day (plus other puzzles), and yes, it helps. It may be a toss up between Indy and DFW as to who is the king. I think Dallas gets more publicity--size matters!
reply by solitaire on Feb 2, 2012 6:02 AM ()
If you were born in 1944, I think you have an extra I before the IV. I took French and Latin. We did not learn Roman numerals in Latin. We learned about Gaul being divided into three parts. And the Via Appia. And Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants. I have trouble remembering what L and D are. I know the others.
comment by boots586 on Jan 31, 2012 5:22 PM ()
1943! War baby, but Dad was rejected (blind in one eye). I'm seldom wrong. I'm impressed you took two foreign languages. Don't try your French on me--it's been LII years!
reply by solitaire on Feb 2, 2012 5:59 AM ()
all day long of and on we are seeing news from the stadium.
How cold is it there.I noticed that our guys were bundle up there.
Used to know them and may still have some idea on it .
Just google it and you will get the information that you want or need.
comment by fredo on Jan 31, 2012 9:40 AM ()
The weather has been great--around 60 degrees and sunny! Amazing. We'll take it.
reply by solitaire on Feb 2, 2012 5:56 AM ()
That's pretty cool actually. I wonder if they have before and after pics? And I was just reading how kids these days have no idea what roman numerals are aside from X, V and the I's. I am 100% with you on not having a clue on how they are put together. I kind of wonder why they are still used?
comment by kristilyn3 on Jan 31, 2012 7:11 AM ()
My knowledge of Roman numerals ends with 30. I never was taught anything about Roman numerals. Somehow I do not feel deprived. If cities are happy to be sports capitals, I would not deny them, but I feel no emotion about that either way. Color me elsewhere on Super Bowl day, although I might actually go to a party across the street. Hey, they're going to serve chili.
reply by tealstar on Feb 4, 2012 5:24 AM ()
I guess we use them for the same reason we use Latin in various forms--like "etc."(et cetera) and "visa versa". Old habits are hard to break!
reply by solitaire on Feb 2, 2012 5:55 AM ()
Maybe the first Super Bowl promoters thought using Roman numerals would add some status and importance to the then fledgling contest. But they needn't have worried. It was always is too gimmicky for me, but it didn't matter initially, as long as we were dealing with lower numerical values, which most folks could figure out. Now that we've moved into the "L" (50) category, no one has a clue, or cares, for that matter. Who knows that XL = 40? XLVI (50-10 = 40 + 5 + 1 = 46) — Indecipherable!

Hat's off to Indianapolis. Hope everyone has a blast. As for me, I'll be watching Downton Abbey on PBS.
comment by marta on Jan 31, 2012 6:39 AM ()
I noticed my subject title ignored the capital lettered Roman numerals. I didn't type it that way. Shows how much "they" know--less than I.
Perhaps I should take a peek at Downtown Abbey? Unfamiliar.
reply by solitaire on Feb 2, 2012 5:53 AM ()
So, you are another Downton Abby fan
reply by elderjane on Feb 1, 2012 3:42 AM ()
I heard a lot of good review on Downtown.
reply by fredo on Jan 31, 2012 9:41 AM ()
comment by jondude on Jan 31, 2012 6:25 AM ()

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