I guess that was sort of the reason that it came to mind; that and the ``not really an island'' crack. Rhode Island is an island. It's the island on which Newport and Middletown sit. Providence, on the other hand, is on the mainland. Thus ``Rhode Island and Providence Plantations''.

Of course, there are a few other sizable islands, but I guess they didn't care too much about those. Maybe there was a land dispute with Connecticut.