This is post 1,083, which holds absolutely no sentimental value aside from the notion it’s exceedingly strange how far we’ve come from the first day. Seriously, 12 comments in the first month. Twelve!

Things have changed and 5,593 comments have followed, many of which have been memorable from equally memorable contributors. Things have evolved and everyone involved has done something to develop a unique style. It’s almost like this place has its own language, which can lead to some head-scratching.

Most common question I get about this little project? “Who is Oll Stewart?”

Well, that’d be Bill Stewart, who captivated and puzzled us last season with what became known as The Quizzical Comment.

“We’ve got enough coal in this state to heat the world. We’ve got enough oil in this state to lubricate the world. We’ve got enough brains in this state to run the world. Good evening.”

A mystery ensued. Turned out it was a pretty clever reference to the 1890s, the Fairmont Opera and Oll Gallahue. And so it was Oll Stewart was born.

It’s not an insult — honest — and was intended to tie the deal together. That both were pretty passionate speakers only helped. And sustained. People kept referring to Stewart as Oll Stewart, I played along and it kind of stuck. I actually know people at the University who refer to Oll, um, Bill as Oll Stewart. That’s neat.

It’s occurred to me, though, we have some inside jokes, nicknames and themes here as well as a growing audience. It wouldn’t be fair to leave anyone out in case there’s another TBA and Marvelous Robon rushes to his defense.

(See?)

So while I’m away, let’s build the authoritative reference for this place. It’ll go to its own spot the right and anytime someone has a question, someone can click Oll Encyclopedia. Use the comments here to dop an item or two or however many you can come up with and include the definition. If there’s one you don’t know and would like to see defined, that’s OK, too.   

I started with the most obvious, but I think there’s a bunch out there. I’ve got a list, but I don’t want to spoil the fun. Take it away …