The designation of this tasty legume as the official snack is the result of an idea from Winthrop University graduate Tom Stanford. State Rep. Gary Simrill of Rock Hill introduced the bill that now is headed for the governor's desk.

We doubt the governor would risk the ire of all the fans of boiled peanuts by refusing to put his moniker on the bill. Failing to pay proper homage to this Southern delicacy would be close to heresy.

In the event you aren't exactly sure what a boiled peanut is, here is the text of Section 1 of the new law : "The General Assembly finds that boiled peanuts are a delicious and popular snack food that are found both in stores and roadside stands across the state, and this unique snack food is defined as peanuts that are immersed in boiling water for at least one hour while still in the shell."

Well, that's not precisely what they are. One doesn't simply put peanuts in boiling water and call them the state snack. There is, for example, the matter of the peanuts, themselves. They're raw and still in the shell.

And the boiling water. It's salty, about like sea water.

The result: Salty, soft peanuts that taste more like beans than what one usually thinks of as a peanut. They are, as some claim, an acquired taste, which is not to say, however, that some don't acquire that taste the first time they try a boiled peanut. And to those who have acquired a taste for the official state snack food, there is no substitute.

Southern? Yes, indeed, they are. In fact, one of their prime attributes is that many who hail from north of the Mason-Dixon line don't even know what they are. Thus, they can be foisted on unwary visitors from the North as a test of their willingness to sample the culture: "Here, ya'll, try this."

We're grateful to Stanford and Simrill for this inspired effort to elevate the noble boiled peanut to its deserved place of honor. Governor, get your pen ready.