re: #46 000G

I live in Florida, where we have BIG cockroaches.
Q. How big are they?
A. They are so big that, when they back up, they are required by federal law to emit warning beeps.
These cockroaches could harm Florida’s image. But we Floridians solved that problem by giving them a new name, “palmetto bugs, ” which makes them sound cute and harmless. So when a guest walks into a Florida kitchen and screams at the sight of an insect the size of Charles Barkley, we say: “Don’t worry! It’s just a palmetto bug!” And then we and our guest have a hearty laugh, because we know there’s nothing to worry about, as long as we do not make any sudden moves toward the palmetto bug’s sandwich.

-Dave Barry