Twice in the past week the topic of weeds and the machine used to trim them has come up.

The first occasion was here at the studios where a STIHL brand string trimmer -- a prize for an upcoming contest -- sits in the hallway. The second occasion was a recent game night with friends. On both occasions, the matter of what that particular machine is called led to pretty heated debate: is it called a "weed whacker" or a "weedy whip" ("string trimmer" was also suggested, though ultimately thrown out as an option since there's no reference to weeds in the name)?

I've always called the machines "weedy whips" myself, probably because that's what I heard my dad call them when I was a kid. I don't know if the fact that I grew up in Illinois had something to do with it, but it seems that those who call the machines "weed whackers" are born and bred Minnesotans.

Well, to settle the matter of weedy whips vs weed whackers once and for all, we took to the Mix 94.9 Facebook page with a poll.

According to the poll results, about 85% of Central Minnesotans call weed trimming machines "weed whackers" and only 15% call them "weedy whips."

I can concede. I may be in the minority on this one, but I don't think I'm wrong for saying "weedy whip!"

What do you call a weed trimmer?