Maryland: Clam Thumper or Craw Thumper (nickname)
A person from Maryland was called a "Clam Thumper" or a "Craw Thumper in the 1800s. "Craw-thumper" was old slang for a Roman Catholic, and while this also applies to many…
Delaware: Muskrat (nickname)
A person from Delaware was called a "Muskrat" in the 19th century, from the abundance of the animal in the state. "Delaware, Muskrats" was cited in an 1845 list of national…
Clubstaurant (club + restaurant)
A "clubstaurant" (club + restaurant) is part nightclub, part restaurant. An entertainment is provided along with the meal. The word "clubstaurant" appeared in the book…
Vermont: Green Mountain State (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Green MountainsThe Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range runs primarily south to north and extends approximately 250…
Alabama: Lizard (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksApril 1845, Cincinnati Miscellany (Cincinnati, OH), pg. 240, col. 1:Alabama, Lizards. Chronicling America23 August 1845, Ripley (MS) Advertiser, pg. 1, cols.…
Kentucky: Corn-cracker (nickname)
Kentuckians were called "Corn-crackers" is the 19th century, and Kentucky was known as the "Corn-cracker State." "In Kentucky they're call'd Corn-Crackers"…
Georgia: Buzzard (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksApril 1845, Cincinnati Miscellany (Cincinnati, OH), pg. 240, col. 1:Georgia, Buzzards. Chronicling America23 August 1845, Ripley (MS) Advertiser, pg. 1, cols.…
Mississippi: Tadpole (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksApril 1845, Cincinnati Miscellany (Cincinnati, OH), pg. 240, col. 1:Mississippi, Tadpoles.**This name is especially appropriate, as among a certain class in…
Maine: Fox (nickname)
A resident of Maine was called a "Fox" in the 19th century. "The inhabitants of Maine, are called Foxes," an 1845 national nickname list began. An 1898 dictionary explained,…
New Jersey: Clam-catcher (nickname)
The New Jersey shore is a haven for many clam-catchers, and it became a nickname for people from the state. "Clam-catchers of Cape May" was cited in an 1835 book. "New Jersey,…
Rhode Island: Gun Flint (nickname)
A person from Rhode Island was nicknamed a "Gun Flint" in the 19th century. "Rhode Island, Gun Flints" was cited in a state nickname list in 1845, but the term was only…
Fly-up-the-Creek (Florida nickname)
A person from Florida was called a "fly-up-the-creek" in the 19th century. This was originally a name for the green heron that can be found in the state. "Florida, Fly up the…
South Carolina: Weasel (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: List of mammals of SOuth CarolinaMustelidae . Least weasel (Mustela nivalis). Long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata). Mink (Mustela vison). North American river…
New Hampshire: Granite State (nickname)
New Hampshire was first called the "Granite State" at an honorary dinner for Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) on June 22, 1825. Philip Carrigain (1772-1842), a former secretary of state…
Nebraska: Cornhusker (nickname)
Citizens of Nebraska were called "Bug Eaters" in the 1800s, and Nebraska was called the 'Bug Eater State" and the "Tree Planters State." Charles Sumner…
Albany: Sturgeondom (nickname)
Sturgeon in the Hudson River were so numerous that they were called "Albany beef" since at least the 1770s. The city of Albany itself was called "Sturgeondom" or…
Nebraska: Bug Eater (nickname)
Citizens of Nebraska in the 1800s were called "Bug Eaters" (or "Bugeaters"), and Nebraska was called the "Bug Eater State." The name is from the bug-eating European…
New England: Eel (nickname)
Eel fishing was very popular in New England in the 19th century. "The Yankees are called Eels" was cited in an 1834 newspaper. "The Eels of New-England" was cited in a passage…
Snowzilla (snow + Godzilla)
"Snowzilla" (snow + Godzilla) is the name of a snow monster -- such as a snowman, a snow machine or a snowstorm. "Snowzilla" was the 1999 name of a snow sculpture, the 2004 name…
Origin of “Gopher” (Minnesota nickname)
Minnesota officially became a state on May 11, 1858. Slightly before 1858, Minnesota had been called the "Gopher State" and its residents called "Gophers." A widely reprinted…