Odds are L-L you remember your Roman numerals

From Jan. 23, 2009:

Why do we insist on using Roman numerals in Super Bowls? It hurts my brain to have to stop and think about what “L” or “D” means.

I’m with you, brother, although I do think I’ve got the “L” thing nailed down. It means 42. No, not 42. It’s 50. I’m sure of it. As for “D,” beats me. When I come across a Roman numeral clue in a crossword I just skip it and hope I can figure out the answer from surrounding clues.

The first few Super Bowls weren’t Super Bowls at all. They were “The AFLNFL World Championship Game.” Super Bowl V was the first to go Roman.

So, why Roman numerals for Super Bowls? One reason, maybe the best reason if you ask me, is that, like so much of the other stuff surrounding the Super Bowl, Roman numerals are pretentious and overblown, an attempt at class.

Another reason is that the game is not played in the same year as the season that it ends. They can’t call it the 2009 Super Bowl because it is the culmination of the 2008 regular season.

So, why not just plain old Super Bowl 43 instead of LXIII? See “pretentious and overblown” above.

I have seen four ads on TV for worthy charities recently asking for donations of $19 per month. What’s the reasoning for $19?

This is known as “charm pricing.” It’s been going on since the first caveman figured out that he could sell more spear points for 1.9 shiny pebbles than he would for two shiny pebbles.

Except I don’t think cavemen understood decimals. I seldom do myself. Maybe cave wives did.

The idea behind it is that $19 is less painful to part with than $20. The charity still gets a nice donation and a steady stream of income if you stick to the permonth part. And you feel good about helping and saving a buck. It’s why so many prices end in nine. As noted, retailers have used this psychology for years and years, and it must be effective because they stick with it and because now, charities are picking it up.