Nightly "What is the origin of that phrase?"

[caledesi]

What is the origin of "Ivy League?"

Tonight folks, we have a short one, but it's not what you think. It has nothing to do w/ ivy adorning the buildings.

No Googling or searching on the Web.

Congratulations to: AlabamaYankee (first to correctly answer the last question).

Winner of tonight's question can talk to me in Braille for 5 minutes!

[JVS]

1. I had a friend wo would joke that it they were league 4 at one time

4=IV

[Zorba607]

2. I think that's right

the league originally had only 4 teams

[caledesi]

3. Hint: Roman Numerals...hmmm

No, answer will be given at 8:30 EST.

[caledesi]

4. Origin of Ivy League - The Answer

Over a century ago, an interscholastic athletic league was formed by Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Princeton. It was officially known as the "Four League." The Roman numeral "IV" was often used instead of the word four and the term "IV League" came into use. When spoken, the IV was spelled out and sounded like "Ivy League." Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell and Pennsylvania were the major opponents of the IV league, and in the early 1900's were members of the league.

Surpise, surprise! Didn't you all think that it had to do with the ivy on the school buildings?