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A list of demonyms for US states and territories (official and unofficial) [SLWikipedia]
posted by schmod (64 comments total) 10 users marked this as a favorite
 
Utahn is fun to say. Utahn Utahn Utahn.

Utahn.
posted by sugar and confetti at 3:24 PM on June 24, 2020 [4 favorites]


Two alternates I've heard for Connecticut:

Connecticuties

Connecticutlery
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:30 PM on June 24, 2020 [14 favorites]


I saw the word "demonyms" and I thought "Oh like Massholes? There's one of those for every state? Cool"
posted by bleep at 3:33 PM on June 24, 2020 [10 favorites]


(There isn't one of those for every state unfortunately as per the list) (anyway I learned a new word)
posted by bleep at 3:35 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


Illinois: sucker.
I’ll allow it as long as Cheesehead sticks for Wisconsin.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:36 PM on June 24, 2020 [2 favorites]


I once convinced visitors to the city of Memphis that we were called, "Memphibians."
posted by grimjeer at 3:37 PM on June 24, 2020 [43 favorites]


Wisconsinite sounds like a mineral.
posted by FishBike at 3:39 PM on June 24, 2020 [11 favorites]


Californian ... Prune Picker, [6][7][8][9][10][11]

Cite as many articles as you like—nobody says that.
posted by The Tensor at 3:43 PM on June 24, 2020 [16 favorites]


No, but I might say "Now wait a prune-pickin' minute!"

I might start saying it, I mean.
posted by sugar and confetti at 3:45 PM on June 24, 2020 [6 favorites]


Sorry gang, this state may not win at much but "Alligator" is the best one.
posted by saladin at 3:52 PM on June 24, 2020


Because someone will probably ask, Michiganders from the Lower Peninsula are called Trolls (they're not really except on like T-Shirts or something) because they live below the bridge (the Mackinac bridge).
posted by axiom at 3:54 PM on June 24, 2020 [4 favorites]


Utahn

I tahn't pronounce it, but apparently U tahn.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:14 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


Arkansawyer is the only true and correct demonym for a person "native" (in the sense of born/raised in) to Arkansas. Arkansan is what we call the imports.
posted by wierdo at 4:16 PM on June 24, 2020


One more "Hey Spud", and I will hurt you.

And it's Idahoan, not Idahoeene.
posted by BlueHorse at 4:27 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


Two alternates I've heard for Connecticut:

Connecticuties

Connecticutlery


In all my years living here, I've never heard anything but Nutmeggers. On the rare occasion that someone wants to refer to us as a group it typically begins, "All you...what are people from Connecticut called?"
posted by dances with hamsters at 4:32 PM on June 24, 2020


No alts for WA? Am disappoint. I submit Cascadian for your consideration.
posted by calamari kid at 4:32 PM on June 24, 2020 [2 favorites]


The names for the people who are here (at least from where I'm at now) are the Wapato, Chinook, Cowlitz, or Kathlamet. This is all territory taken from others.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 4:37 PM on June 24, 2020 [10 favorites]


Local is widely used in Hawaii, but has strict if not rigid parameters. More widely used than islander (at least in Honolulu). Kama‘āina is more formal of a word and not spoken as much as it is written... except when asking for the in-state resident discount at businesses. Hawaiian, as noted, means Native Hawaiians.
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:38 PM on June 24, 2020 [4 favorites]


Fair point schnitzengruben, fair point.
posted by calamari kid at 4:41 PM on June 24, 2020


Utahn

Oh man of all my Star Wars figures when I was a kid Utahn was my favourite cantina alien
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:42 PM on June 24, 2020 [2 favorites]


I've always regretted not spending time in my phonology class looking into the research on demonym formation. This paper [pdf] offers some interesting ideas:
certain phonological properties of place name bases trend towards a preference for a given demonym allomorph, but these trends are not absolute, and they are not always adopted by speakers in the formation of new demonyms.
posted by audi alteram partem at 4:46 PM on June 24, 2020


I've heard people in the Bay Area use "Bay Areans" without noticing it's got an unpalatable homophone.
posted by kirkaracha at 5:10 PM on June 24, 2020 [17 favorites]


A Swamp Yankee is not the same as a Rhode Islander. It's more like "redneck," maybe affectionate, maybe a slur.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:16 PM on June 24, 2020 [2 favorites]


I am very disappointed that my state of origin is one of those with no fun demonym.
posted by eirias at 5:17 PM on June 24, 2020


I've always thought that Michigander only refers to men from Michigan. Women, of course, are Michigeese.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2020 [30 favorites]


Weirdo, I just remembered a fun fact about Arkansas: there is a state law on the books governing how to pronounce the state name.

2018 Arkansas Code
Title 1 - General Provisions
Chapter 4 - State Symbols, Motto, Etc.
§ 1-4-105. Pronunciation of state name

Be it therefore resolved by both houses of the General Assembly, that the only true pronunciation of the name of the state, in the opinion of this body, is that received by the French from the native Indians and committed to writing in the French word representing the sound. It should be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final "s" silent, the "a" in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables. The pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of "a" in "man" and the sounding of the terminal "s" is an innovation to be discouraged.
posted by grimjeer at 5:23 PM on June 24, 2020 [4 favorites]


Also, "Bay Stater" is pure nonsense, like a kid trying to give themselves a nickname. "Massholes" indeed.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:38 PM on June 24, 2020 [4 favorites]


Californio means something very specific and isn’t the same as Californian (as the linked description makes clear)
posted by cali at 5:43 PM on June 24, 2020 [3 favorites]


A "nutmegger" sounds like something high schoolers would drink to experience a crappy high using the ingredients in their parents' cupboards. (Yes, nutmeg in sufficient quantities will get you high, dizzy, cranky, and tired!)
posted by sugar and confetti at 6:10 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


I've only lived here for eight years and for a small state we're surprisingly diverse but I haven't ever heard people in Delaware referred to as "Blue Hen's Chickens" or "Muskrats." The mascot of the largest university in the state, the aptly-named University of Delaware, is the "Blue Hen" so students, alumni, and others affiliated with the university refer to themselves as "Blue Hens." (And I think that it's one of only 2 or 3 female mascots among U.S. colleges and universities. But the person-in-a-costume mascot - YouDee - that attends games and events is clearly intended to be a male which is made clear because there is a separate person-in-a-costume mascot that is clearly coded as female - Baby Blue.) Perhaps the other two terms are more common in other parts of the state or historically accurate but out-of-date...?
posted by ElKevbo at 6:18 PM on June 24, 2020


The pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of "a" in "man" and the sounding of the terminal "s" is an innovation to be discouraged.

Yes, the Kansas practice of calling the river the Are-Kansas and the consequent pronunciation of "Arkansas City", Kansas in the same way annoys Arkansans and Arkansawyers alike, especially when they call our state that, too.

Nevertheless, I respect their opinion and refer to the city in Kansas in the Kansan style. They can fuck right off about the river, though. Thankfully, the Oklahomans pronounce it as the baby Jesus intended and the Missourians don't give a shit, which leaves a sufficient buffer to avoid a shooting war.
posted by wierdo at 6:21 PM on June 24, 2020 [6 favorites]


When did Vermont people stop being Woodchucks? Asking as a Flatlander.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 6:23 PM on June 24, 2020


I'm not convinced states are meaningful. But, I'm down with Chitowners nd San Franciscans if we're on cities.

If I get to pick, I'm voting "Ills," for Illinois.
posted by eotvos at 6:40 PM on June 24, 2020


Huh, I thought it was just one of those things that Arkansas and the Arkansas River were pronounced differently, but then I’m from Kansas, so.
posted by sjswitzer at 6:43 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


They got ‘Masshole’ but not ‘Floridiot’.
posted by mattholomew at 7:02 PM on June 24, 2020 [3 favorites]


Went to college in Connecticut and I always thought it was “Connecticution” (same ending as electrocution).
posted by kellygrape at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2020


Words cannot describe how much I fucking hate "Sconnie". Wisconsinite, Badger, Cheesehead. All perfectly fine and appropriate.

Sconnie is most assuredly a retort to "Coastie" (which is itself, IME already a shit term that attempts to soften the racism inherent in the term "Princess" (which is itself a softer term for NY Girls who go to UW Madison - and I'm not gonna say the full phrase because it's racist and bullshit)).

But they miss the best Illionois one! FIBs.
posted by symbioid at 7:37 PM on June 24, 2020 [5 favorites]


I've only lived here for eight years and for a small state we're surprisingly diverse but I haven't ever heard people in Delaware referred to as "Blue Hen's Chickens" or "Muskrats."

I’m a native Delawarean and I’ve never heard either of these before.
posted by Automocar at 7:49 PM on June 24, 2020


> Arkansawyer is the only true and correct demonym for a person "native" (in the sense of born/raised in) to Arkansas. Arkansan is what we call the imports.

Uh, sorry fellow ArKANsan, but I must disagree. No one says Arkansawyer. Where does that come from? (and I mean, where in Arkansas do people say that?)
posted by zardoz at 8:44 PM on June 24, 2020


If it's any consolation, I have heard of DelMarVans, and even cuter, Delmarvels.

Mainerds (also lobsterf*ckers, but you have to be able to pronounce it lawbstuhfukkahs properly)
Ver-mud-ers (applies during Feb. thaw)
New Hampsters (logo is a gerbil with a gun in each paw)
It's never been anything other than Massholes
Connecticut's not real
Virgins
Crabcakes, Hons (welcumtaballmer,hawn)
Ohioids
Californicators
Oh, and which Portland: plaid flannel (ME) or handlebar mustache (OR)?
posted by bartleby at 8:45 PM on June 24, 2020 [4 favorites]


Connecticut's not real

Can confirm it's one of the fakest places I've ever been.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:12 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


Illinoids.
posted by hototogisu at 9:38 PM on June 24, 2020


MetaFilter: It should be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final "s" silent, the "a" in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables.
posted by ejs at 9:55 PM on June 24, 2020 [6 favorites]


Illinoids
I have sometimes said it in the French manner.
A hot dog with everything on it, comme les Illinois.

Also, pronouncing Nebraska so it rhymes with Cheburashka is fun.
posted by bartleby at 10:30 PM on June 24, 2020 [1 favorite]


Oh, and which Portland: plaid flannel (ME) or handlebar mustache (OR)?

Having been to the Oregon Portland where many hipsters are still pretty lumberjacky and/or grunge I'd argue plaid flannel is not disambiguative, but having not been to the Maine Portland I don't have an alternate suggestion.

What I can tell you is that taquito boyfriend was very confused to be asked "How's it going, prune picker?" just now
posted by taquito sunrise at 11:21 PM on June 24, 2020 [3 favorites]


At least he's not from a fig growing region. Where they get all muddy plucking them off the branches. Those dirty fig-pluckers.
posted by bartleby at 11:32 PM on June 24, 2020 [5 favorites]


West Virginians are sometimes referred to as "Mountaineers."
posted by frodisaur at 12:26 AM on June 25, 2020


Now do cities!

I grew up as a Bellinghamster.
posted by Jacqueline at 1:37 AM on June 25, 2020


In all seriousness, Arkansawyer went out of style back when the state was furiously attempting to distance itself from the hillbilly stereotypes in the latter part of the 20th century. Arkansan is the commonly accepted modern term, aside from some of us who find Arkansawyer amusing.
posted by wierdo at 1:58 AM on June 25, 2020


Now do cities!

Here. (This is a global list). My favourite is 'sluff' for someone from Slough.
posted by plep at 2:29 AM on June 25, 2020 [2 favorites]


Those dirty fig-pluckers.

Will no one let Cavid Dameron forget?
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:51 AM on June 25, 2020 [16 favorites]


Two alternates I've heard for Connecticut:
Connecticuties
Connecticutlery


Was coming in to suggest Connecticutie. Never heard Connecticutlery but I love it for a collective noun.

I don't know where they're getting the two weird versions of "Connecticutians" that I'm seeing; that's really the only sanctioned alternative to "Connecticuter"--which I think should be spelled with two Ts for pronunciation's sake--that I've seen debated. (Yes, this pops up in the media every now and then.) My problem with "Connecticutians" is that it reeks too much of "executions." Granted, "Connecticutter" doesn't sound so good either. Makes our state sound like a bloodthirsty lot either way. Which isn't inaccurate.
posted by dlugoczaj at 6:28 AM on June 25, 2020


Re: "Masshole": early on in the pandemic the Portland (Maine) Press-Herald wouldn't print it in an article about people coming into Maine from out of state, instead just referring to it obliquely as "a derogatory name for people from Massachusetts".
posted by madcaptenor at 7:05 AM on June 25, 2020 [2 favorites]


As a former Iowa Citian, I love that "Hawkeye" is - properly - listed as the alternative to "Iowan."

As for cities, the page listing those demonyms shows "Waterluvian" for my present city. I've been using it for years, and I appreciate the sanction, as it's much better than than the locally-preferred "Waterlooan," which sux.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:11 AM on June 25, 2020 [1 favorite]


Wait, no one is going to comment on "Alyaskinskie" for Alaska? Because that's awesome.

If we're doing cities then I'm legally obligated to mention the city of Bartlesville, Oklahoma near my hometown has a the official demonym of "Bartian" (rhymes with Martian).
posted by midmarch snowman at 7:49 AM on June 25, 2020 [1 favorite]


I'm impressed that Indiana managed to get Hoosiers to be the official Federal term.
posted by tavella at 9:57 AM on June 25, 2020


I presume "Wyomese" rhymes with "mayonnaise."
posted by nickmark at 11:43 AM on June 25, 2020


I'm just tickled that "Goober-Grabber" is on the list for my adopted home state of Georgia.

A "goober" is an official nickname for peanut, y'all.
posted by foxywombat at 12:00 PM on June 25, 2020


plep - thanks for sharing the city list.

I vote for:
Albuquerque/Albuquerquean/Burqueño
posted by foxywombat at 12:02 PM on June 25, 2020


Someone from New Amsterdam Colony in the Americas is a Dutch Baby.
posted by sugar and confetti at 1:19 PM on June 25, 2020


I've never heard of the word "Massachusettsan". Bay Stater is what I grew up hearing and reading in the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune.

Seriously, how do you even pronounce that?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:38 PM on June 25, 2020 [1 favorite]


Local is widely used in Hawaii

And you can't even be that until you've been there a while. I mean, I lived there six years and still didn't call myself a local. That's more of a honorary gift you have to be given, not a mere fact of where your house is.

And I used to think that was weird, but then the more I think about it, it's not so strange. I mean, just because I lived in Japan for a while, I would never call myself a Japanese. Maybe states isn't quite the same as ethnicity, but still. Californians coming up to Washington and immediately calling themselves Washingtonians... gonna get some side eye.
posted by ctmf at 8:29 PM on June 25, 2020 [1 favorite]


No one from DC calls it Washington-- they all say "DC". Don't we have any alternatives to "Washingtonian"? "Washingtonian" was people who threw elegant political dinner parties in the 80s.
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:44 PM on June 27, 2020


I had a Mexican friend who always referred to people from Santa Cruz (CA) as "Santa Crucians" and that's what I have used every since.
posted by deadbilly at 8:44 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]


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