Everywhere you go in the United States, there are several “official” things that are claimed as representative of any state that you’re in. These include state birds, state flowers and even state nicknames. Assigning your state a tagline based on its natural features, industries, or interesting stories from its history is a widespread practice. It’s also just a fun tradition that makes for great trivia questions.
But as time goes by, cultural identities shift, and historical anecdotes are gradually forgotten, it gets harder and harder to remember how these states came by some of their nicknames. As a result, quite a few states have nicknames that don’t initially make much sense to those who aren’t in the know. Do a little digging, though, and the meanings behind these unique and unexpected state nicknames will tell you more than you would’ve imagined about each place.
Whether you’re researching the state you’ll be visiting on your next trip or trying to collect knowledge for your next bar trivia night, learning the stories behind state nicknames is a unique way to get a grasp on the character of a place. Some of these nicknames are unofficial or simply lesser known compared to more renowned names like the Golden State (California) or the Sunshine State (Florida). However, they all just might inspire you to check out a handful of places you would otherwise have skipped.
Read more: The Best Vacation Destinations Where The US Dollar Goes Furthest
Tar Heel State (North Carolina)
Longleaf pines in Croatan National Forest, North Carolina – Ryan Mcgurl/Getty Images
“The Tar Heel State” is not the most obscure nickname on this list, and you can thank college sports for that: Both students and athletes of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are known as Tar Heels, after all. But while the name circulates widely thanks to its NCAA connections, it’s a lot less clear where it came from to non-North Carolinians.
Eastern North Carolina is rich in longleaf pine trees, a species with very versatile sap that’s long been used to make tar, pitch, and turpentine. Back when ships were made of wood, these substances were vitally important to shipwrights who needed to keep worms from eating away at their vessels, so North Carolina developed a robust tar-production industry. This became a hallmark of the state’s economy whose practitioners came to be called “tar heels,” hence the name that sticks (pun only slightly intended) to this day.
The once-mighty North Carolina tar industry is not likely to be of much interest to visitors except as a piece of trivia, but it does point to something that is a huge draw: the state’s great outdoors. In addition to tar-producing pines, this heavily-forested state boasts plenty of places to enjoy the beauty of nature. And everyone may point to the Blue Ridge Mountains, but there’s much more to explore. We recommend Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the famous Outer Banks region for the state’s tallest sand dunes, and Mt. Mitchell State Park near Asheville, where you’ll find the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River and almost none of the Great Smoky Mountain crowds.
Bread and Butter State (Minnesota)
Minnesota-based Land O Lakes Butter – refrina/Shutterstock
This might be one of the more baffling state nicknames at first glance. Many of us may have heard Minnesota be called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” which is easy enough to interpret even if you’re not quite sure how many lakes there really are. But what do bread and butter have to do with Minnesota? The answer may surprise you.
Minnesota came by this nickname in 1902, when the Pan-American Exposition was held in Buffalo, New York. Wheat milling and dairy farming were key industries at the time, and it’s said that those products debuted to such acclaim that out-of-staters began to refer to it as “the Bread and Butter State.”
While visitors to Minnesota are usually headed for the scenic north of the state for outdoor recreation (or a picturesque lakeside road trip), it’s still a thriving dairy-production hub with plenty for foodies to enjoy. Sample cheese made on-site at the Redhead Creamery in Brooten; sample the freshest milk you’ll ever sip at Autumnwood Farm in Forest Lake. And kids will also get a kick out of this Minnesota industry at Curious Cows and Company, a family-owned dairy farm in Corcoran where cuddling with dairy calves tops the list of things to do — and it’s about 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis for easy access. All of the above are enjoyable opportunities to experience Minnesota’s agricultural heritage in a way most visitors overlook.
Goober State (Georgia)
The world’s largest peanut in Ashburn, Georgia – EWY Media/Shutterstock
Most people know Georgia by its more famous nickname, the Peach State. But it has another nickname you might not have heard about: the Goober State. It’s fairly common knowledge that Georgia is famous for peanut farming, but the Southern slang term for peanuts, aka “goobers,” used in this nickname might throw some non-residents off. The peanut is the official crop of Georgia.
Today, you’ll see evidence of Georgia’s gratitude to its state crop everywhere you go. In the southern Georgia town of Ashburn, stop by the World’s Largest Peanut; in the rural town of Plains, Jimmy Carter National Historic Park preserves the peanut-farming legacy of the 39th U.S. president. Plains is also a uniquely Southern city with old-school charm and nostalgia — not just peanuts. Stop by the annual Georgia National Fair in Perry every October, and you’ll have the chance to try a peanut butter burger. Fair food is notorious for its questionable spirit of innovation, but try finding another state fair with something like this. There are also countless peanut festivals scattered across the state. No matter where you roam in Georgia, evidence of its peanut-growing pride is abundant.
Salt of the Earth State (Kansas)
A shaker of table salt spilled on a cutting board – Synergee/Getty Images
This nickname is much more literal than it sounds. You might assume it refers to some down-to-earth quality of its people, a sort of folksy, Midwestern goodness. In reality, the earth in Kansas really is just naturally salty, and that’s how the state got its nickname. It’s one of the most fascinating lesser-known facts about this unassuming state: Kansas possesses massive underground salt deposits. This is especially true in the town of Hutchinson, where the Hutchinson Salt Member, located beneath a wide swath of Central and South-central Kansas, is located.
As such, one of the state’s unofficial nicknames pays homage to the abundant salt resources that have become one of its industries. This “salt of the earth” is oh-so-literal and it makes for a great tourist attraction. Strataca, or the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, is the only operational salt mine in America that allows visitors on tours. An above-ground museum and access to a near-hundred-year-old, operational salt mine 650 feet below the surface in the town of Hutchinson, will tell you just about everything you ever wanted to know about salt. Not only is Kansas famous for this precious mineral, but this wildly underrated flyover state is filled with secret canyons and historic towns.
Flickertail State (North Dakota)
A squirrel holding something in its paws – Davemantel/Getty Images
North Dakota is cold, largely flat, and while it has some stunning natural landscapes, it is another Midwestern state that doesn’t get a ton of travelers compared to other states. So it’s not surprising that many people may not know the origins of its various state nicknames, like being known as the “Flickertail State.” This obscure nickname has a nice ring to it, but what could it possibly mean?
It is, in fact, named for a squirrel. North Dakota boasts an impressive population of Richardson’s ground squirrels — a species that “flick” their tails, hence the colloquial name. Once upon a time they were nearly the state’s symbol, though the legislation that would’ve codified this wasn’t passed.
As the zoological nickname suggests, North Dakota is rich in wildlife and is an underrated, practically tourist-free paradise with surprising trails. In fact, it’s home to more wildlife refuges than any other state. Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the north of the state, for example, is a great place to spot iconic plains species like bison. Or the Little Missouri National Grasslands, home to the rare Pronghorn Antelope.
Battle Born State (Nevada)
The state flag of Nevada waving in the wind with the U.S. flag in the background – rarrarorro/Shutterstock
You might think of a “Battle Born State” as one of those significantly involved in the Revolutionary War or Civil War, but somewhat anti-climactically, Nevada’s dramatic state nickname doesn’t come from the result of a specific battle, but during one. The nickname originated when Nevada was recognized as a fully-fledged state in 1864, during the tail end of the American Civil War. Although Nevada has seen it’s share of skirmishes in its history, there were no official battles fought on its soil as a part of this particular conflict.It’s a curious reminder of the immense distance between coasts: Nevada, a Western latecomer to the Union, is nicknamed for a war that played out thousands of miles away. Instead of Civil War battle memorials, you’ll find unique Wild West towns, the Las Vegas Strip, and the world-class ski resorts of the Lake Tahoe area. Nevertheless, this quirk of Nevada history immortalized it on the state-nickname books in relation to a combat it technically never participated in.
Nutmeg State (Connecticut)
Whole and powdered nutmeg arranged on a burlap mat. – Apomares/Getty Images
Connecticut is so much more than it’s Ivy League, upper-crust connotations. It’s easy to forget the state’s enterprising merchant past in addition to ratifying the first written constitution in history, which is why it’s official nickname is actually the “Constitution State.” However, there’s another, unofficial title that this New England state holds.
Though it’s hard to verify historically, according to the Connecticut State Library, it’s rumored that some Connecticut residents took up a slightly shifty method for selling spices by carving pieces of wood to look like whole nutmeg, which has a wooden, nutlike appearance in its original, solid form. Although this is mostly just a legend among many others, it’s a memorable story that encapsulates Connecticut’s identity as a state of go-getters.
You’re not likely to find too many attractions riffing on this particular state nickname in Connecticut, but you’ll see evidence of its vibrant intellectual culture everywhere. Yale University’s campus and open-to-the-public museums are a worldwide center for learning. In addition, the town of Mystic is a laidback, scenic coastal spot that boasts a maritime museum and an aquarium that both exemplify the state’s ties to the sea and the pursuit of knowledge.
Show Me State (Missouri)
Kansas City’s Gateway Arch at night. – Agnieszka Gaul/Shutterstock
Apparently, Missouri is a state of skeptics. It’s a place where you might not be believed without proof — at least, if you take a now-iconic 1899 speech by Missouri Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver at face value. Presented with a claim he didn’t quite buy, Vandiver reportedly said, “Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.” Whether that was really the first use of the phrase or not, it took off from there. Missourians loved the proud skepticism of Vandiver’s words, and they’ve been the source of the state’s best-loved nickname ever since.
You’ll need to spend some quality time in the “Show Me” State to get a feel for its people’s pragmatic skepticism, but even if you don’t, it’s got plenty to show you. Everyone recognizes St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch, but how about a leisurely floating trip in the Ozarks? Or perhaps Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, where unusual geology has created a vast landscape of pools and waterfalls that local hikers can’t recommend highly enough? Those not fond of wild, outdoor adventure can also dig into some Kansas City barbecue in one of the country’s premier barbecue cities. You decide what you want the state to show you — either way, you’ll likely leave convinced.
Yellowhammer State (Alabama)
A Northern Flicker in flight. – Irving A Gaffney/Getty Images
The yellowhammer is a bird, not a tool. It’s the colloquial name of the northern flicker, a species of woodpecker common in North America from practically everywhere from the Southwest to Maine. But that’s not exactly where Alabama comes by this unexpected nickname. That actually traces back to the Civil War, when a certain Alabama regiment began wearing uniforms with yellow trim that supposedly resembled the yellow bands at the edges of the woodpeckers’ wings. The name stuck, and the yellowhammer, aka the northern flicker, also became Alabama’s official state bird as well.
If you’re interested in either birds or the Civil War, Alabama has plenty to offer you. On the Gulf Coast, visit Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to spot the migratory birds that stop here in droves. And for Civil War buffs, Historic Blakeley State Park is the site of the last major battle of the Civil War. There are battlefields and forts all over the state, but this one is by far the most significant. So, if you’re visiting Alabama, it’s fairly easy to understand both sides of the story of this unusual nickname.
Volunteer State (Tennessee)
A welcome sign in Tennessee that says it’s the “Volunteer State” – Oak City Drone/Shutterstock
With a nickname like “Volunteer State,” you might expect Tennessee citizens to turn up in record numbers to assist with trash cleanup or disaster relief. And while that spirit of community duty is now considered to be an essential layer of meaning behind this state nickname, it’s not specifically where it came from. Instead, back in the War of 1812, Tennessee sent a disproportionate number of volunteers into battle and gained a reputation for itself. The same thing happened again during the Mexican-American War, cementing the nickname in the minds of a new generation. Although that was over 200 years ago, the name has stuck and become part of the Tennessee identity.
While signing up for a war isn’t likely on your travel agenda, there actually is a readily-available way to get a feel for what the Volunteer State is all about: “Voluntourism” programs are popular and widely available. Various organizations in major cities like Knoxville and Nashville, who’d always be happy to have your help, offer one-day volunteer opportunities to visitors. Whether you’re delivering fresh flowers to hospitals or repurposing old musical strings for a work redevelopment program that uses them to make jewelry, there’s always a need for extra hands. So, in the spirit of the Volunteer State, why not offer yours?
Diamond State (Delaware)
A diamond reflecting various colors through its facets – Iuliia Tarabanova/Getty Images
No, diamonds are not mined in the tiny state of Delaware. Instead, this nickname reflects its once-critical strategic importance. Because Delaware was located very centrally among the 13 colonies that became the first states, it was allegedly dubbed “the jewel among the states” (or in some retellings, the “diamond among the states”) by Thomas Jefferson in reference to its strategic position in the early days of America, according to the Delaware government website. Though this theory is, like most historical anecdotes, not technically proven, it’s a catchy story that gives the state an equally catchy nickname.
Instead of diamonds, you will find plenty of examples of Delaware’s importance in early U.S. history. The First State National Historic Park preserves a 1732 courthouse and complex of buildings where countless events significant to the state’s development occurred during the colonial period, and the Copeland Maritime Center in Wilmington chronicles the maritime history that made Delaware a key economic engine of the early United States.
Beehive State (Utah)
Bees on a honey comb – Bacasa/Shutterstock
Utah is perhaps best known for its iconic Mighty 5 national parks that make for an epic road trip across the state. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the Great Salt Lake, which has a connection to the name of its capital, Salt Lake City? For all the things Utah is known for, its official state nickname seems totally unrelated to its better-known natural landscapes and outdoor adventures. So, why are beehives important here?
There are a few layers to it. Firstly, the state’s Mormon settlers imported beehives from to produce honey for lack of other sweeteners, so beekeeping became an important early Utah industry. And then there’s the symbolic side of the nickname: Beehives are bustling workplaces, and the idea of industry that is so important to the settlers’ worldview. The beehive appears on Utah’s flag and is a key symbol of the state.
If that honey connection interests you, you’ll be glad to know that a handful of Utah business owners are still in the honey business. Family-owned Beehive State Honey in American Fork has been making honey for over 140 years (and is open for tours), and visitors to the Utah State Capitol should keep an eye out for the beehive motifs and artwork in its design.
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Read the original article on Islands.