patgund | Theory......

In the 1800's, while the Puget Sound area was getting settled by Western settlers, a little known religious group was looking for a retreat to call home and live their life according to the word and gesture of God. This group was known for their religious salute, usually with a raised middle finger while calling out the name of God to bless each other.

Around that name time, in much the same way that lepers were sent to colonies to live their lives in isolation from others, there was a move to found a isolated colony where sufferers of Tourette syndrome could live away from those who were offended by their pitiful condition.

In time, both groups found their refuge. For the religious, they found an isolated community, hard to get to, where they could attend to the sufferings of their fellow human beings. For the Tourette sufferers, they found a remote area where they would not offend delicate Victorian morals with their rude uncontrolled profanities.

Over time, the two groups intermarried, merged together, became one group that exhibited the tell-tale traits of both groups of fore-bearers.

Today, these proud descendants still live on their ancestral land, adding their unique charm and distinctiveness to that jewel of Lake Washington called Mercer Island..........