What are the informal "nicknames" used to refer to the residents of
individual states in the U.S.A.? Used (1) by themselves, and/or (2) by
residents of adjacent states--there may be a difference? [Example: we
Wisconsinites are "cheeseheads," and we speak of Illinosians (?) as
"flatlanders" (or "F.I.B."), perhaps Minnesotans as "river-jumpers."]
CANNOT find a roster of these informal terms--perhaps not all states
have them? bkb

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Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 22 Nov 2002 05:15 PST

Hi! It seems that some have different list than yours. Also some are
more formal like Califronia as Californians while it also lists
monickers as

Delaware - Blue Hen's Chickens

Would lists like these together with some formal ones be an acceptable
answer? Some states have no funny nicknames. I have not also found any
reference to Wisconsites as "cheeseheads".

Just let me know. :)

There is an entertaining article about national and regional nicknames
here (for the nicknames of residents of U.S. states, do a page search
for "Californians.")

Aussie in America: Language Name-Calling
http://www.geobop.com/World/NA/Topics/People/Names/

Here's a nice essay on the subject. But how could he have left "Okies"
off the list?

Geobop: Who Are You? WHAT Are You?
http://www.geobop.com/World/NA/Topics/People/Names/

~pinkfreud (an Okie and unashamed)

The URL for the "Aussie in America" page should be
(http://www.aussieinamerica.com/language/names.htm).

In addition to "Okie" (a word familiar to readers of John Steinbeck),
there is "sourdough," slang for a longtime resident of Alaska.

You need the book "What do You call a person from...? : a dictionary
of resident names"  by Dickson, Paul. New York : Facts on File, Inc.,
c1990.

I know the Indiana University library owns this book.  It's pretty
comprehensive.  The mystery of "Hoosier" is discussed at length.

Additionally a Google search "what do you call a person from [state]"
will retrieve humorous answers to the question.

Sorry for giving the wrong URL for "Aussie in America," above. My
fingers run ahead of my mind when I type. ;-)

http://www.aussieinamerica.com/language/names.htm