the order of the alphabet should be ABCDEFG .... XYZ. It made me wonder why.

Nice one CK. I know it goes a long way back but how and when?? I googled and found an intersting and new to me at least theory at http://www.lexiline.de/lexiline/lexi29.htm which suggests:

===================
The modern "order" of the alphabet perhaps originated in a mnemonic funeral prayer (Alpha to Omega, beginning to end)
which gave it the A,B,C etc. order we have today. This mnemonic prayer
may have been Indo-European and related to Hebrew words for numbers.
===================
Any takers?

Helen (of Troy) or any one else, can you confirm/correct my memory that the pair of lions/dogs guarding the temple gates in Japan represent Ah and Om, beginning (with open mouth) and end (with closed mouth).


And on a lighter note: A Norwegian female rugby team (Union not League so 15 not 13 players) were playing away with their male colleagues. After the match they partied but the men got drunk and wanted to go home, while the women wanted one last dance. The headline of the report in the local paper read;
Fjord Nymphs XV beg quick waltz.

Being all 26 letters only once. A little contrived but acceptable methinks. (Rugby teams are known as "XV"s at least in UK).

Rod