Mystery of 42 Revealed

Why did Douglas Adams choose 42 as the " Answer to the ultimate question of Life, The Universe, and Everything".?

This has been a widely debated, analyzed and argued topic since the Hitchhiker's series was published. Although there are many sophisticated interpretations, there is one simple answer that could be the reason for this choice.

Character Count

Below are some amazing examples which could be more than just coincidences

1. Character Count of "Answer to life the universe and everything"  = 42

2. Character Count of "Ultimate answer to life,  universe and everything" (with space removed)  = 42

3. Character Count of "Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything"  = 43  

 (Here Adams must have wanted an even number and subtracted one from above to get 42.)

Why it could be that simple?

Stephen Fry, a friend of Adams, claims that Adams told him "exactly why 42", and that the reason is "fascinating, extraordinary and, when you think hard about it, completely obvious." However, Fry says that he has vowed not to tell anyone the secret, and that it must go with him to the grave. 

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy#The_number_42

Note: What could be more "completely obvious", than a simple word count as the solution to the question. Adams also might have chosen a suitable character count from the different possible ways to phrase the question.