I know lots of random stuff. That is just kind of me. It frequently annoys me. I’m sure it annoys other people a lot more. And yet I can’t help sharing things I learn that are interesting! So here we go.
You know the phrase “third world countries”? It’s used to talk about economically less successful countries with poor infrastructure and/or health problems. But you know what? THAT IS WRONG!
It actually came from world war two. “First world countries” were the allies (US, UK, France, you know the lot). “Second world countries” referred to the USSR and her buddies. This explains why we hear about first and third, but not second. “Third world countries” referred to those not allied with either group. This means most of central and south america, most of africa, and so on. Obviously, there are some economic trends there, which explains the rise of the new meaning. To be more politically correct, it is better to use “developing world” in place of “third world” and “developed world” for everything else.
(Picture from wikipedia. Blue would be first world, red second, and green third.)
Now see, wasn’t that interesting? (And hopefully not terribly obnoxious?)
