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So, college football fans, you might have noticed that my beloved Iowa State Cyclones lost the big state rivalry to the Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend. Badly. It wasn’t pretty. This inevitably leads to all of the University of Iowa fans to take to Facebook and Twitter to proclaim “It’s still a Hawkeye State!!!” Yep. It is. But why is it the Hawkeye State? I have the answer to that burning question – and explanations behind nine other state nicknames – below.
1. North Dakota is the Peace Garden State. The International Peace Garden falls across both North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba and offers the state a much nobler nickname than the Flickertail State (it’s a type of ground squirrel).
2. Arizona used to be called the Valentine State. That might seem like a pretty random nickname, but when you consider that it was made a state on February 14, 1912, it all starts to make sense… and so do those “Arizona is for Lovers” shirts.
3. Delaware has the distinction of being the First State to ratify the constitution, and that’s what you’ll usually see on Delaware license plates. Surely that’s only because “Uncle Sam’s Pocket Handkerchief” won’t fit, which is a reference to Delaware’s diminutive size and its patriotic origins.
4. When I read that Colorado is sometimes called the “Switzerland of America,” I briefly thought, “Because it’s neutral?” Um… no. Because of the mountains. Duh.
5. Arkansas may have been letting it be known that they are not a state to be messed with when they called themselves the Toothpick State. The Toothpick was a large knife, similar to the Bowie Knife, but longer and more throw-able. Speaking of which, Arkansas also has the nickname “The Bowie State” because the blacksmith who made the Bowie knife for Jim Bowie lived in Arkansas and popularized the blade there. Officially, Arkansas is “The Natural State.”
6. “The Goober State” might sound like a pretty rude nickname for Georgia, but it’s really not – “Goober” is a term for peanuts, and since Georgia is famous for producing peanuts, it makes sense.
7. The state we usually know as the Free State (Maryland, in case you haven’t been brushing up on your Jeopardy! questions lately) was once called the Cockade State. I know… it sounds slightly questionable. A cockade is actually a ribbon ornament worn on hats as decoration (pictured), and this Revolutionary War-era nickname was coined when someone wrote that Maryland’s young soldiers wore brilliant cockades.
8. You likely know Tennessee as the Volunteer State, especially if you’re a sports fan, but back in the day, it wasn’t uncommon to hear it referred to as “The Butternut State” (or likewise for Tennessee natives to be called butternuts). It’s not because the area is so rich in squash, though – it’s because the tan uniforms Tennessee soldiers wore during the Civil War resembled the color of butternut squash, and eventually the name spread to the whole state.
9. Oklahoma is obviously the Sooner State, but what does that mean? Well, way back when Oklahoma was called the Unassigned Lands, “Sooner” was a derogatory term referring to people who showed up and staked claim on the land before they were legally supposed to be able to.
10. And, of course, Iowa. We’re the Hawkeye State because of literary origins, surprisingly enough. Well, maybe. There are two schools of thought there. #1: Natty Bumppo of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales (which includes Last of the Mohicans) also goes by the nickname of Hawkeye, and Judge David Rorer of Burlington, Iowa, is said to have suggested the name after reading the novels. Story #2: we’re named for Chief Black Hawk, a Sauk tribe leader. Take your pick.
Do you know the story behind your state nickname, or one of the old nicknames that isn’t used much these days? Let us know in the comments!
Comments (54)
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Nebraska is “The Cornhusker State.”
According to 50states.com, “The term ‘cornhusker’ comes from the method of harvesting or ‘husking’ corn by hand, which was common in Nebraska before the invention of husking machinery.”
Here’s what I know: I like corn. I like Huskers. I like the Cornhuskers. GO BIG RED!
posted by holly on 9-16-2009 at 5:18 pm
Connecticut used to be the Nutmeg State.
According to the book State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols by George Earlie Shankle (New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1941):
\The sobriquet, the Nutmeg State, is applied to Connecticut because its early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs. Sam Slick (Judge Halliburton) seems to be the originator of this story. Some claim that wooden nutmegs were actually sold, but they do not give either the time or the place.\
posted by Joel on 9-16-2009 at 5:26 pm
Alabama is the Yellowhammer state. In the Civil war soldiers from Alabama had gold trim on some of their uniforms reminding people of the Yellowhammer Woodpecker which is also the state bird.
posted by Brian on 9-16-2009 at 5:30 pm
Minnesota is known as the North Star state. The state motto is “L’etoile du Nord” which is French for “The Star of the North”
The hockey team, which Dallas stole was named the North Stars for this reason.
Not surprising, the state kinda looks like a star w/ the northeastern Arrowhead region, the “chimney” at Lake of the Woods, and the points in the other 3 corners. It’s also the furtherest north state other than Alaska (which took another 90+ yrs to become a state) because of the Lake of the Woods extension.
posted by Jonny on 9-16-2009 at 5:32 pm
a statue by my house in albany claims george washington stood at that particular spot overlooking the hudson and claimed it would be a good “seat for an empire.” thus the “empire state.”
posted by bill on 9-16-2009 at 5:41 pm
I know CA is called The Golden State for the Gold Rush but I always say it’s because in the summer, when we get very little to zero rain, all the grasses die and turn a golden color so the hills in my area are rolling hills of gold.
posted by Sarah in CA on 9-16-2009 at 6:56 pm
Ohio is the BUCKEYE State. Named for the Buckeye tree, whose leaves resemble marijuana on steroids and whos fruit is a nut-like thing that looks like the eye of a deer….hence “buckeye.”
Also the name of a delectible peanut butter and chocolate confection that resembles the fruit of said tree.
That’s why the OSU teams are the Buskeyes and the mascot- Brutus the Buckeye- looks like he does. His head is a buckeye.
posted by Irene on 9-16-2009 at 7:28 pm
I’ve lived in Indiana my whole life and I still don’t know what a Hoosier is. There are several theories, none of which seem right to me.
reCAPTCHA: soiled erately ewww
posted by Cait on 9-16-2009 at 8:11 pm
Rhode Island: Called the “Ocean State” apparently to attract tourists and despite being 38 miles wide and 48 miles long we supposedly have 400 miles of coast line. We’re also known as “Lil Rhody”
posted by Eric on 9-16-2009 at 8:15 pm
As an Iowan with a brother in-law at Iowa State, I still have no idea why we’re called the hawkeye state, but it sounds a lot better than most states.
posted by David on 9-16-2009 at 9:15 pm
My parents are from Oklahoma. When I asked my dad why it was called the Sooner State, he said, “Because the sooner you leave the better.”
posted by Harvey on 9-17-2009 at 12:22 am
I’ve lived in California for over half my life, but I was born in Virgina and lived there ’til I was 10. Virginia is the Old Dominion. I don’t know why they call it that, does it have to do with the fact that the first European settlement was in Jamestown, Virginia? Virginia is also known as the Birthplace of Presidents, even though we haven’t had a president born in Virginia since the 19th century. That’s kind of like Cleveland calling itself the “City Of Champions” even the Browns haven’t won anything since the ’60’s. (Sorry Browns fans, nothing against you personally; the SF Giants haven’t won a World Series since they got here, so we know a little about what you’re going through.)
Sarah, I never thought about that for California, but it certainly makes sense! Unfortunately, maybe we should call California the “Fuel for Wildfires” State.
posted by Justin on 9-17-2009 at 12:58 am
The least interesting, but probably most likely origin of Hoosiers, comes from an old Scottish word “Hoos” meaning “Hill.” So Hoosiers are people that live in the hills. So, basically, our state’s nickname means hillbilly. Talk to someone from St. Louis, and they’ll confirm this.
But, I still prefer the “Who’s Ear [is this]?” version.
posted by John on 9-17-2009 at 2:49 am
Don’t forget about Oregon! We’re the BEAVER State!
posted by Kate on 9-17-2009 at 5:12 am
South Carolina is the “Palmetto state.” It has to do with Fort Moultrie, in Charleston, where the walls of the fort were built with Palmetto logs. The Palmetto logs were soft, and cannonballs sunk into them rather than exploded when the British fired on the fort in the Revolutionary War. Fort Moultrie’s steadfastness kept Charleston from being taken by the British albeit temporarily; ultimately the British took Charleston by other means. The original logs have obviously fallen, but the fort has been restored to it’s Revolutionary War condition, with palmetto logs and all. A great place to stop in Charleston if one is visiting.
posted by Joel on 9-17-2009 at 8:40 am
@Justin – Virginia being the birthplace of presidents refers to the fact of four of the first five presidents were Virginian. Since total, there have been 8 presidents born in VA, that means that 11% of the American Presidency has Virginia origins – even if it’s not recent. Virginia was given the title “Dominion” by King Charles II of England at the time of The Restoration, because it had remained loyal to the crown during the English Civil War, and the present moniker, “Old Dominion” is a reference to that title.
The one I want answered is Missouri. WHY are they the Show Me state? That has baffled me ever since I spent a summer internship there 7 years ago!
recaptcha: tortilla school
posted by Hastings on 9-17-2009 at 8:47 am
I believe the “show me” state is a term to do with the toughness of the missouri soldiers.
If I recall, they were told they would lose a battle handedly and they should surrender. in response they said “show me”
posted by ee the c on 9-17-2009 at 9:11 am
Delaware claim at being the first state is bogus. In fact I suggest that Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina and New Hampshire should change their nickname to “One of the Other First States”
Article VII of the Constitutition required 9 of the 13 colonies to ratify prior to it becoming effective meaning that it was upon New Hampshire’s ratification on 6/21/1788. The 12/7/1787 ratification by Delaware means nothing!
posted by Martin on 9-17-2009 at 9:38 am
Martin, I grew up in Delaware. Being the first state is all they have. That, and a throw away line in Wayne’s World. It’s a terrible place…let them have their title.
posted by Caitlin on 9-17-2009 at 9:46 am
The most accepted story of how Missouri became the Show Me State is that Willard Duncan Vandiver, a congressman, during a political debate said, “I am from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”
posted by Dustin Fritsche on 9-17-2009 at 10:13 am
I had never heard of the whole state of Colorado being referred to as the Switzerland of the United States, but Ouray, CO is referred to as the Switzerland of the U.S. and has a sign proclaiming it.
I grew up in Connecticut, and found this interesting for the origin of the Nutmeg State nickname…
“The sobriquet, the Nutmeg State, is applied to Connecticut because its early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs. Sam Slick (Judge Halliburton) seems to be the originator of this story. Some claim that wooden nutmegs were actually sold, but they do not give either the time or the place”
http://www.cslib.org/nicknamesCT.htm
posted by Ben Erickson on 9-17-2009 at 10:42 am
Being a CURRENT Delawarian, I would like to defend the First State nickname.
Regardless of how many were needed to sign in order to become independent, Delaware was the first to ratify, period.
We are also the Small Wonder, in relation to our size.
Thomas Jefferson commented on how our location is a jewel compared to other states, thus coining the Diamond State.
I like living here. Aside from Caitlins opinions, it really is a jewel of a location. We have beaches, farms, cities, colonial downtowns, colleges, lakes, etc. All of these are within a two to three hour drive of each other, because that’s how long it takes to get from one far end of the state to the other. How many other states can say that? We are also centralized between Baltimore, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Myrtle Beach S.C., and more. We also have a NASCAR track (not my thing, but hey, it’s something). Gambling is legal here. Our options for things to do are nearly limitless, because it’s so easy to get anywhere and do just about anything.
posted by Steven on 9-17-2009 at 10:43 am
Pennsylvania is The Keystone State. Keystone is the shortened and mispronounced Native American word “Kesheshtone” which means – “Watch where you step, the bison have diarrhea.”
posted by Tdave on 9-17-2009 at 10:45 am
IN all fairness, many states could claim the title of First State. Rhode Island was the first colony to declare its independence from England, doing so on May 4, 1776.
posted by Kate on 9-17-2009 at 11:05 am
Before Arkansas was “The Natural State” we were “The Land of Opportunity” which always made me laugh.
posted by Nicole on 9-17-2009 at 11:47 am
@Steven! Don’t tell anyone! Let them think Delaware is a hole. The less know, the better, as far as I am concerned. I love Delaware! (Of course, I only visit — often — and don’t live there year round, YET.)
posted by Hyacinth on 9-17-2009 at 11:52 am
Pennsylvania- the keystone state… It looks like a keystone so it’s pretty self-explainitory
posted by Dave tsunami on 9-17-2009 at 11:58 am
Well Steven, if it takes you 3 hours to get to the beach, you must at least be from northern DE and therefore not have any of those “slower lower” issues going on, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt there. However, I still stand by my point. Our options in high school were to hang out at Wawa or Acme. And before you ask, I graduated in 2003 so I’m not some “back when I was your age” fogey. There’s just not a lot to do there. The beaches are fine. Living in Baltimore, I get to them in just as much time now, plus I’m closer to the Carolina’s. My entire high school went to U of D. On the rare occasions I talked to people I went to high school with, they were taking the same classes and working the same jobs as other people I went to high school with. I’m not sure they actually ever made other friends. When I got my first tattoo, I was shunned from crowd. Meh. I’m glad you like it, but Delaware does nothing for me. Living in the city is so much better to me. And no, Wilmington doesn’t count.
posted by Caitlin on 9-17-2009 at 12:01 pm
So, Caitlin, it isn’t the whole state, just the rural part? That’s okay, nothing wrong with preferring the city. Somebody has to! I like the peacefulness I find in DE, but then I am an “old fogey,” I guess, by your standards. I have lived in the city, and enjoyed them for what they offered too. I just prefer to live outside the city and venture in when it suits me. It takes all kinds to make this world go round! You can be the City Mouse and I will be the Country Mouse!
posted by Hyacinth on 9-17-2009 at 12:17 pm
North Carolina is the Tar Heel State a reference to the naval stores industry that the state was know for early on. Its also said to be a reference to our Civil War soldiers holding their ground. The story goes:
North Carolina troops held their ground during a battle in Virginia during the Civil War while other supporting troops retreated. After the battle, supporting troops asked the victorious North Carolinians: “Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?” and they replied: “No, not a bit; old Jeff’s bought it all up.” The supporting troops continued: “Is that so? What is he going to do with it?” The North Carolinian troops’ response: “He is going to put it on you’ns heels to make you stick better in the next fight.”
North Carolina is also know as “The Old North State”. The name comes from when Carolina was one colony. When it was divided, the older settlements ended up in North Carolina, and the nickname the Old North State was made popular.
posted by Chris on 9-17-2009 at 12:32 pm
Delaware DOES have the worst drivers in the country, so…yeah.
posted by mike on 9-17-2009 at 12:33 pm
I read somewhere that in the early days of Indiana if someone was visiting a cabin, when they got within shouting distance of the cabin, to prove their intrntions were friendly, they’d yell “Hello the cabin!” Someone in the cabin would yell back “Who’s there?”, which got slurred into “Hoosier.”
posted by Sara in AL on 9-17-2009 at 12:48 pm
I’m from the Land of Lincoln. Not much explanation necessary…
posted by Liza on 9-17-2009 at 1:22 pm
Oklahoma’s cheer/fight song is “Boomer Sooner”. Boomer is the slang for a Sooner who was caught sneaking into the territory before the land rush, thus Boomer Sooner.
ALSO, the two horses that pull the Sooner Schooner (the covered wagon seen after touchdowns, etc) are named Boomer and Sooner.
BOOMER SOONER, BABY!
Also, I’m currently in South Carolina and the residents of this state are *obsessed* with their flag – the Palmetto and cresent moon are everywhere. Stickers on cars, t shirts, tats, etc etc etc. I agree with @Joel – if you visit, hit Charleston and then leave, immediately.
posted by OkieMelissa on 9-17-2009 at 1:42 pm
First of all, Caitlin, Delaware is NOT a terrible place. Jesus, did we kick your miserable butt out or something? I hope so. I’ve lived here all of my life. The beaches are not three hours away. I live in Wilmington (Northern Delaware). Do you drive 10 miles an hour? We are close to Philly, NYC, Baltimore, and DC. We have beautiful parks, and great music and theatre. Whatever state you are in now can have you.
posted by Shannon O'Connell on 9-17-2009 at 1:55 pm
Oh, Baltimore. You have . . . um . . . Ace Of Cakes. Only the losers hung out at Wawa. Just saying.
posted by Shannon O'Connell on 9-17-2009 at 1:57 pm
My only point in saying that Delaware is not the first state is to correct the fallacy implied in the name. Some of my frustration is caused b/c my home state, PA, didn’t ratify for another 5 days – which is still impressive given its like a million times bigger than Delaware.
posted by Martin on 9-17-2009 at 2:16 pm
Which still makes Delaware the first state to ratify. What does size have to do with it?
posted by Shannon O'Connell on 9-17-2009 at 2:30 pm
Wow. Lots of Delaware love on here. So much so that now that I’m a miserable loser. That’s neat. Losers hung out at Acme when I lived there, and the cool kids went to Wawa, but maybe that’s changed.
Baltimore has Ace Of Cakes…yes. Actually my best friend lives on that block. There’s a great local bar at the end of it. Anyway, we also have the Inner Harbor, actual sports teams, the best crabs in the country, the best hospitals and medical schools in the country, the national aquarium, Babe Ruth, Upton Sinclair, Tom Clancy, John Waters, and the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner. Look, I’m sorry I insulted it. If you like it, fine. For me and my lifestyle, Baltimore is about 300x better than Hockessin, DE. That town is so small people FROM Delaware don’t know about it. I’m just really glad I’m gone and have no need or want to return. You guys do have cheap cigarettes though, so that’s nice.
posted by Caitlin on 9-17-2009 at 2:36 pm
The Sunshine State Florida
But as everyone who has ever been here in the summer will tell you, there will be a thunderstorm every afternoon around 3 pm.
posted by Mary on 9-17-2009 at 2:56 pm
@OkieMelissa, sorry to hear about your QB, Bradford. Hook’em!
posted by Izzi on 9-17-2009 at 2:56 pm
@Izzi – I hope that Bradford’s back in top form by the Red River Rivalry, otherwise McCoy’s experience/strong arm will most likely crush OU (which doesn’t even feel like a fair game, really). It hurts to admit it, but a Heisman contender vs a red shirt Freshman? Yeah. :\
ps – when Bradford was injured, did you hear that McCoy text him? That’s so weird to think they probably sit in class and text eachother, lol. How very Romeo and Juliet of the Big XII variety.
Recaptcha: “that foulest” longhorn? :) (haha, had to do it)
posted by OkieMelissa on 9-17-2009 at 3:17 pm
I like Maryland too, Caitlin. You aren’t a loser for liking where you are. I have lived or visited a lot of states and found something good about all of them. Sometimes it’s harder to find in some states. Interestingly, like you, I have no desire to return to my home state to live.
Usually the folks that post on mf are nicer. You must have struck a nerve! Wow!
posted by Hyacinth on 9-17-2009 at 3:42 pm
Yep. It’s called don’t insult where people live.
posted by Shannon O'Connell on 9-17-2009 at 3:56 pm
I am born and raised in Florida, “The Sunshine State”…or as everyone else calls it “The Place I am Going to Move to as Soon as I Can”
posted by graham on 9-17-2009 at 4:13 pm
Oh come on. It’s not like I insulted you personally. Everyone has bad stuff about where they live. I love my city, but I don’t love being referred to as Bodymore. I don’t love that we’re usually in the top 5 most dangerous cities. I don’t love that my car got totaled by a drunk 3 weeks after moving into the actual city because it was parked on the street and not in a lot. Take the good with the bad. If you think every little thing about where you love is dandy, more power to you. I lived there for 17 years, long enough to form my own opinion that it’s boring, and the people can be close-minded, especially in the town I grew up in. It’s a personal opinion that you obviously don’t share. We can still live in harmony. Hell, it’s Delaware, I’m sure our cousins/sisters/brothers/parents know each other or all worked at DuPont together. No need to be rude. I already apologized for my rudeness. (And thank you, Hyacinth. Good luck with your move.)
posted by Caitlin on 9-17-2009 at 4:49 pm
Technically, Arizona does not have a nick name at all. The article I read locally is listed below… I always thought my stae was “The Grand Canyon State” but I guess that was too easy and obvious for our idiot legislators
http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/central/story/Arizona-one-step-closer-to-getting-an-official/5G0gKfN8N0Wq5G7LdqLLgw.cspx
posted by jeremiah on 9-17-2009 at 6:41 pm
I know that Utah’s “Best Snow on Earth” shold probably be self explanatory. Ha ha. Mostly because we have a LOT of ski resorts and get a lot of snow :o)
posted by Erica on 9-17-2009 at 6:43 pm
also regarding my comment about Arizoan not having a nickname, the legislators spent about $1 million – $2million to figure out a new nickname for our state… all while this recesion is going on… think your state is screwed look at the waste in AZ
posted by jeremiah on 9-17-2009 at 6:44 pm
Hastings — thanks for the info. Very interesting. One other thing I remember learning in elementary school about Virginia is that the dogwood is both the state flower AND the state tree! Woohoo!
Ah, but who cares about Virginia on this post. Everyone’s talking about Delaware! I’ve never been there, but I say, if was the first state to ratify the Constitution, it should get to call itself the First State.
posted by Justin on 9-18-2009 at 2:25 am
Tennessee is also sometimes called “The State of Franklin,” referencing the state’s failed first attempt to secede from North Carolina. The northeast portion of Tennessee was originally named Frankland, but later changed the spelling to honor Benjamin Franklin in an attempt to gain the necessary 2/3 majority of the states needed to be admitted to the Union. The Tri-Cities area has all sorts of streets and historic sites named as such.
posted by Matt Koenig on 9-18-2009 at 8:52 am
In Iowa, a retarded ex-governor wanted “A State of Minds” on the license plates. It sure didn’t fly.
posted by gene on 9-19-2009 at 12:12 am
Washington, the “Evergreen State” for obvious reasons, has no other nicknames about which I’m aware. What, however, could better suit us than the moniker we currently hold?
posted by KellyS on 10-20-2009 at 12:42 pm
My dad always says Louisiana is “the Boot state” because we’re shaped like a boot. I don’t know of any official nicknames though.
posted by Heather on 3-19-2010 at 2:35 pm