When my family went on summer vacation, we usually made it a road trip, which gave us the opportunity to play license-plate bingo and other fun car games that my brother and I loved. My parents hated them, but at least they kept us from killing each other in the backseat. We were constantly on the lookout for plates from faraway places, which led to our guessing where certain states’ nicknames came from. Some were obvious: Florida as “The Sunshine State” made sense, just like Delaware’s nickname, “The First State,” was pretty self-explanatory. But we were always a little stumped by nicknames like “The Show-Me State,” or even the nickname of our own home state of Ohio. It turns out that some state nicknames and slogans have surprising origins.
Idaho, the Gem State: There are plenty of gold, silver, and copper mines in Idaho, but no gemstone deposits. The nickname arose in 1860 when a lobbyist for the mining industry pressed Congress to designate the area as a new territory, telling the legislature that “Idaho” was a Shoshone Indian word that meant “gem of the mountains.” In fact, he made the whole thing up, and when Congress found out about the lie, it retaliated by tentatively naming the region Colorado. But “Idaho” had already come into common usage, and by the time the territory became a state in 1863, the name (as well as the nickname) became official.
Pennsylvania, the Keystone State: In architectural terms, the keystone is the stone at the very top of an arch, the pivotal linchpin that keeps the whole structure sound and sturdy. Pennsylvania was considered the literal and figurative “keystone” of the original thirteen colonies, since it occupied a central position on the map, gave rise to many of our founding fathers, and became the center of revolutionary thought.
Alaska, Seward’s Folly: This common nickname derives from William H. Seward, who was the secretary of state under president Andrew Johnson. In 1867, he purchased land from Russia that would eventually become the state of Alaska. Because it was perceived as nothing but a barren wilderness, the press and the public ridiculed the purchase as a terrible mistake, but when gold was discovered in Alaska in the 1890s, public opinion began to come around.
Utah, the Beehive State: The first settlers to the Utah territory in 1847 were the Mormons, led by Brigham Young. One powerful symbol in the Mormon faith is the honeybee, also called a deseret, which represents community, industriousness, and cooperation. The deseret and the beehive are also featured prominently on the state flag and state seal as a symbol of these virtues.
Ohio, the Buckeye State: Aesculus glabra, or the Ohio buckeye, is a variety of horse chestnut tree found not just in Ohio, but also Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, southern Ontario, and across the plains. Ohio was the first state to be settled out of the territory of the Northwest Ordinance, and it’s said that a buckeye tree was the first tree to be cut down by settlers west of the Ohio River.
Oklahoma, the Sooner State: In 1889, the territory was officially opened to white settlement, prompting a land rush as homesteaders tried to stake a claim. “Sooners” were those who illegally snuck onto the land in advance in order to pick out the choicest plots.
Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: It may seem that this state owes its nickname to its plentiful supply of lakes, but it’s not really true that the state of Minnesota has 10,000 lakes; the actual number is more like 12,000.
Health Top Tips Nutrition Love Lifestyle Happiness Weight LossVermont, the Green Mountain State: The state’s name and nickname both derive from the moniker Samuel de Champlain bestowed on the area in 1647. The French explorer called the region “Verd Mont,” meaning “green mountains.”
Missouri, the Show-Me State: Sources are conflicted about the origin of this nickname. Sometimes it’s credited to a congressman who spoke of Missourians as no-nonsense people who demanded real proof, instead of fancy sleights of hand or turns of phrase, while other sources claim it’s related to Missourian miners brought in as strike breakers in Colorado, who needed extensive instruction because of their lack of familiarity with their surroundings. Either way, it connotes hard work, common sense, and fair play.
New York, the Empire State: Most sources credit George Washington for coining this nickname. In 1784, he gave a speech in which he described New York as “at present the seat of the Empire,” since at the time, the nation’s capital was New York City. By 1820, the nickname of “Empire State” had stuck.
New Hampshire, Live Free or Die: The most famous state motto arose in 1809, when the state’s most decorated soldier from the Revolutionary War, general John Stark, was invited to give a speech at a battle commemoration. In poor health, he declined the invitation, but sent his toast by mail. Stark wrote, “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.”
Indiana, the Hoosier State: Although it’s been the state nickname and the nickname of Indiana residents for at least 150 years, no one is sure where the term “hoosier” came from or what it means. It may be another word for “hillbilly,” a word for a boatman along the Ohio River, or perhaps a word from some long-forgotten local dialect. We’ll probably never know the true etymology of the word.
Fifty states, fifty stories. The history behind these nicknames is good knowledge to have handy, in order to break up backseat brawls while you’re on the road this summer. As usual, the truth is way more interesting than fiction could ever be.