The Ohio Constitution: A Wordy Leviathan, or Just Really Chatty?
Let's face it, constitutions aren't exactly known for their page-turning thrills. They're the instruction manuals of government, dense with legalese and full of enough "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots" to put a bedtime story to shame. But Ohio's constitution takes the cake (or should we say, the buckeye?) for sheer verbosity.
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| How Many Words Are In The Ohio Constitution |
Clocking In at... A Telephone Book's Worth?
We're talking over 67,000 words here, folks. That's roughly nine times the length of the U.S. Constitution. You could probably write a whole novel about a lawyer falling in love with a comma splice with that word count.
Seriously, Ohio, did you have a LOT to say? Did the founding fathers get into a heated debate about the best type of pie (pecan, obviously), and someone decided to settle it in the constitution?
Why So Wordy, Ohio?
Here's the thing: unlike the U.S. Constitution, which focuses on the big picture, Ohio's document gets down in the weeds. It includes everything from the rights to bear arms (important!) to the surprisingly specific details of how you can borrow money as a state (yawn).
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
Some folks say this level of detail is great, providing a clear roadmap for governance. Others, well, let's just say they think it could use a good editor (and maybe a nap).
Fun Facts:
- The Ohio Constitution is so long, it could probably win a staring contest with a glacier.
- If you tried to read it out loud, at an average reading speed, it would take you about 30 hours. That's a whole lot of "whereases" and "hereinunders."
- Challenge time! If you could rewrite the Ohio Constitution in under 10,000 words, what would you leave out? Let us know in the comments!
FAQ: Ohio Constitution Word Count Edition
How do I count the words in the Ohio Constitution myself?
Well, you're a glutton for punishment, aren't you? But hey, respect! You can grab a copy of the constitution online and use a fancy word counting tool, or the old-fashioned method: grab some pencils and get counting!
QuickTip: Focus on one line if it feels important.
How long would it take to memorize the Ohio Constitution?
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That depends on your memory and your sanity. Let's just say you'd have a better chance of winning the lottery.
Is there a shorter version of the Ohio Constitution?
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
Nope, but there probably should be. Maybe a CliffsNotes version for busy government officials?
How does the Ohio Constitution's word count compare to other states?
Ohio's is definitely on the longer side. Most state constitutions come in around 20,000 words.
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
Is there anything else interesting in the Ohio Constitution besides all the words?
Actually, yes! It used to have a clause requiring voters to be white (yikes!), which wasn't changed until 1923. Talk about outdated!
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