Hi there! I’m John Green, and welcome to my fun fact corner. Today, we’re diving into some quirky and unusual nicknames for people from different states in the U.S. Let’s get started!
Did you know that people from Delaware were once called “muskrats”? This nickname comes from the abundance of muskrats in the state. There was even a time when hunting and eating muskrats was a hot topic in Delaware. By 2014, only a few places still served this unique dish.
In Arizona, residents have been called “sand cutters.” While the exact reason is unclear, it might have something to do with the state’s vast deserts.
People from Indiana are known as “Hoosiers,” a term that’s been around since the 1830s. Some say it originally referred to Indiana boatmen, while others think it was a nickname for rougher folks. Either way, Indiana residents embraced it!
In Arkansas, people might be called “Ares,” a name that started in the 1930s for wandering workers. Alternatively, they can be known as “Arkansawyers.”
While Californians is the common term, those of Spanish ancestry from the 18th to mid-19th century were called “Californios.”
North Carolinians are known as “Tar Heels,” a nickname that possibly dates back to the Revolutionary War or Civil War times.
Ohio residents are called “Buckeyes,” named after a local tree. The term was first used in 1788, even before Ohio became a state.
“Jayhawker” is a nickname for Kansans, likely linked to their role in the Civil War. Originally, Jayhawkers were involved in guerrilla fighting against pro-slavery forces.
In Oklahoma, “Sooners” refers to people who participated in early land claims races.
Connecticut residents are called “Nutmeggers,” possibly because colonial merchants used nutmeg in cooking.
Floridians were once known as “fly up the creek,” a nickname for a small green heron found in the state.
In Georgia, a “goober grabber” is someone who picks peanuts, a common crop in the state.
Alaskans are called “sourdough,” a term important to early travelers heading west.
Wisconsin residents are known as “cheeseheads,” a nickname that started as a joke but is now embraced with pride.
Idahoans were once called “Fortune Seekers” due to the gold and silver rushes.
People from Illinois have been called “Suckers” since the 19th century, possibly linked to mining habits.
In Hawaii, different words are used to distinguish between those born in the state and newcomers.
Iowa is known as the Hawkeye State, a nickname popularized by a character in “The Last of the Mohicans.”
In Maine, particularly in the southeast, residents are called “Down Easters.”
People from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are known as “Yupers.”
The early Catholic founders of Maryland were called “Craw Thumpers,” referring to a religious practice.
Massachusetts residents are known as “Baysiders,” named for the state’s many bays.
Tennessee is sometimes called the “Butternut State.”
“Knickerbocker” became a term for New Yorkers in the early 19th century.
People from Missouri are referred to as “Pikers.”
Pennsylvanians were once called “Pennamites.”
From the 1930s to the 1960s, “Swamp Yankee” referred to rural folks from the Northeast.
A “Sandlapper” is a resident of South Carolina, possibly linked to the Revolutionary War.
People from Wyoming are known as “Wyomingites,” which is also a type of rock found in the state.
And there you have it! A list of some of the most interesting and unusual nicknames for residents of different states. If you know of any other fun nicknames, feel free to share them. Remember, stay curious and keep learning!
Choose a state from the article and research the history behind its nickname. Create a short presentation to share with the class, explaining why residents are called by that nickname and any interesting facts you discover.
Create a map of the United States and label each state with its unique nickname from the article. Use different colors and symbols to make your map visually appealing. Share your map with the class and discuss any patterns or surprises you notice.
Write a creative short story that incorporates at least three of the state nicknames from the article. Your story should explain how these characters (representing the nicknames) interact with each other in a fun and imaginative way.
Form small groups and choose a state nickname from the article. Prepare arguments for why your chosen nickname is the most interesting or unique. Present your arguments to the class and engage in a friendly debate to see which nickname is the class favorite.
Create an art piece that represents one of the state nicknames from the article. Use any medium you like, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Present your artwork to the class and explain how it captures the essence of the nickname.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m John Green. Welcome to my salon. This is a Mental Floss video, and did you know that, according to some people, those from Delaware used to be called muskrats? Historically, the state had a lot of muskrats, and in the past few decades, the debate about hunting and eating muskrats in Delaware has been intense. However, in 2014, it was reported that there were only a few restaurants in Delaware still serving this delicacy.
Anyway, that’s the first of many states with unusual nicknames for their residents that I’m going to share with you today. According to multiple sources, people from Arizona have been referred to as “sand cutters” over the years, but we don’t really know why—although the deserts in Arizona could be a hint.
Another mysterious nickname is “Hoosier,” meaning a person from Indiana. It’s been a popular term since the 1830s. One theory is that it used to refer specifically to boatmen from Indiana, while another suggests it referred to more uncivilized people. Perhaps residents of Indiana took a rude nickname and made it positive.
The term “Ares,” or residents of Arkansas, came about around the 1930s and was originally a disparaging way to refer to vagrant workers, likely from Arkansas. You can also call people from the state “Arkansawyers.”
If you’re from California, you’re a Californian, which is a pretty straightforward nickname. However, people of Spanish ancestry born in the region during the 18th to mid-19th century had a more colorful name: “Californios.”
Some of the names on this list are recognizable thanks to sports teams. For instance, people from North Carolina are called “Tar Heels,” just like the UNC athletic teams. This nickname is believed to have originated during the Revolutionary War or from Civil War troops in North Carolina.
A “Buckeye” is someone from Ohio, named after a tree native to the region. The first known use of the term was in 1788, before Ohio was even a state. There’s a legend that it was originally a nickname for a tall Continental Army officer, but it was popularized by William Henry Harrison’s presidential campaign.
“Jayhawker,” a resident from Kansas, has vague origins but likely relates to Kansas’s role in the Civil War. The original Jayhawkers were people from Kansas who participated in guerrilla fighting against pro-slavery residents.
In modern-day Oklahoma, eager participants in land claims races were called “Sooners.” Meanwhile, “Nutmeggers” refers to people from Connecticut, possibly due to colonial merchants cooking with nutmeg.
A “Floridian” used to be known as a “fly up the creek,” referring to a small green heron common in Florida. A “goober grabber” is someone who picks peanuts, and this term is commonly associated with Georgia.
Alaskans are known as “sourdough,” which was important for westerners traveling to Alaska. Wisconsin residents are called “cheeseheads,” a term that started as an offensive label for Dutch people.
The people of Idaho were once called “Fortune Seekers,” as many moved there for gold and silver mining. Citizens of Illinois have been called “Suckers” since the 19th century, possibly related to mining habits.
In Hawaii, words are sometimes used to distinguish between those born in the state and newcomers. Iowa is known as the Hawkeye State, and the nickname was popularized by a character in “The Last of the Mohicans.”
Someone from Maine, particularly in the southeast, is called a “Down Easter,” and in Michigan, residents of the Upper Peninsula are known as “Yupers.”
The primarily Catholic founders of Maryland were called “Craw Thumpers,” referring to the act of beating one’s chest during confession. A “Baysider” is someone from Massachusetts, named for its many bays.
Tennessee is known as the “Butternut State,” and “Knickerbocker” became a term for New Yorkers in the early 19th century. Someone from Missouri is referred to as a “Piker,” and Pennsylvanians were once called “Pennamites.”
From the 1930s through the 1960s, a “Swamp Yankee” referred to someone from the Northeast who was rural and perhaps less cultured. A “Sandlapper” is a resident of South Carolina, with origins possibly related to the Revolutionary War.
Finally, if you are from Wyoming, you are known as a “Wyomingite,” which is also the name of a type of rock found in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
That’s the kind of fact that’s just barely interesting enough to be included on our list. As for the other states of the Union, I’m sorry, but you are less interesting. Thank you for watching this Mental Floss video, made with the help of all these lovely people. If we missed a nickname from your state or country, please let us know in the comments. And as we say in my hometown, don’t forget to be awesome!
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This version removes any potentially offensive language and maintains a respectful tone throughout.
Nicknames – Names given to people, places, or things that are different from their real names, often used to show affection or familiarity. – During the American Civil War, General Thomas Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall” for his steadfastness in battle.
Residents – People who live in a particular place. – The residents of Boston played a significant role in the American Revolution by participating in events like the Boston Tea Party.
States – Political entities with their own governments, which together form a country like the United States. – The original thirteen states of the United States declared their independence from Britain in 1776.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about the history of ancient civilizations helps us understand how modern societies have developed.
Civil – Relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters. – The civil rights movement of the 1960s was a pivotal time in American history, advocating for equal rights for all citizens.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. – The American Revolutionary War was fought between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain from 1775 to 1783.
Unique – Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. – The unique culture of Ancient Egypt, with its pyramids and pharaohs, continues to fascinate historians today.
Culture – The social behavior, norms, and practices found in human societies. – The Renaissance was a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe, marked by advancements in art, science, and literature.
Terms – Words or expressions used in a particular context or field. – Understanding historical terms like “feudalism” and “democracy” is essential for studying medieval and modern history.
Geography – The study of the Earth’s physical features and the human activity that affects and is affected by these features. – Geography played a crucial role in the development of ancient civilizations, as fertile land and access to water were vital for agriculture.
