# Ariz. is AZ, dammit **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 17, 2013, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168 "2013-06-17T08:27:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/1 "2013-06-17T08:27:12Z")
Every frickin’ news story I see (most lately McCain’s blather) refers to Arizona as Ariz. AS IF this state didn’t have the FOURTH biggest city in the US. What … are people really that stupid? What other state would they confuse an A and a Z with? Arkansas? Alaska? As far as I can see they do this with NO OTHER state. As a lifetime **AZ** resident, it just really pisses me off. What can I say? I’m in a bad mood. We are sending arms to Syria (I know…another forum etal.) … just really finally had enough. PHOENIX, people. TUCSON. FLAGSTAFF. SEDONA. Mexican border. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/2 "2013-06-17T08:35:53Z")
[Traditionally](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_abbreviations), the abbreviation for Arizona is Ariz. ---
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/3 "2013-06-17T08:51:59Z")
Find me another state where they use the ‘old’ abbreviation versus the postal code and I’ll shut up!!! (But thanks for the info.) AND I still maintain that we are the “forgotten” state. People just don’t realize how huge our urban population is…sigh. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/4 "2013-06-17T08:56:09Z")
Tex. Fla. Calif. Others? Too lazy to check… Tenn. just came to mind. W. VA. Penn. At any rate, the 2 letter designation was for postal codes only, wasn’t it? Isn’t it being kind of, uh, strange, to want to have postal designations subvert traditional references? Esp. now that the PO is going to crap? Hey, wait, I know you! You’re the new IG at the PO! You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to drum up business with this stunt! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/5 "2013-06-17T09:02:43Z")
At least no one believes Ariz. is [a foreign country.](http://www.nmmagazine.com/one-of-our-50-is-missing/) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/6 "2013-06-17T09:16:14Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > Every frickin’ news story I see (most lately McCain’s blather) refers to Arizona as Ariz. AS IF this state didn’t have the FOURTH biggest city in the US. We don’t. Houston, TX is the fourth largest city in the US. According to the 2010 census, Phoenix is sixth. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/7 "2013-06-17T10:36:47Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > Every frickin’ news story I see (most lately McCain’s blather) refers to Arizona as Ariz. The problem is that these damned journalists blindly follow the [Associated Press Style Guide](http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/) without even considering the negative impact it might have on people from Ariz. > [@](#): > > State abbreviations in AP style differ from the two-letter ZIP code abbreviations. Here is how each state is abbreviated in AP style: > > Ala. > Ariz. > Ark. > Calif. > [etc.] ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/8 "2013-06-17T10:43:24Z")
That’s the answer! I never use postal abbreviations-yuck. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/9 "2013-06-17T12:11:50Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > Find me another state where they use the ‘old’ abbreviation versus the postal code and I’ll shut up!!! (But thanks for the info.) This post approved by the Penna. Dept. of Abbreviations. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/10 "2013-06-17T12:14:17Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > (I know…another forum etal.)… It’s _ **et al** _. As a lifelong nitpicker, this just really pisses me off. Just really finally had enough. Sheesh. mmm ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/11 "2013-06-17T12:48:22Z")
The authors of the news stories may be aware that anyone who uses the two-letter abbreviation places him- or herself inside a Federal Area, which includes the District of Columbia, which covers the entire US, and is therefore required to pay income tax. All because of the [cue ominous music] [Buck Act](http://www.rogermwilcox.com/debuck.html). Read it and weep, sheeple. (The linked site is actually a debunking of the various claims about the Buck Act. I’ve only dipped into the originals enough to confirm that they’re jaw-droppingly insane.) ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/12 "2013-06-17T13:01:34Z")
Let me see: I’m from Ind. To my north is Mich. Traveling clockwise, well, nobody around here abbreviates Ohio; then Kentucky usually does get dropped down to KY (or Ky.), and on around to Ill. Nothing unusual about over-two-letter abbreviations in the Midwest (MW). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/13 "2013-06-17T13:04:43Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > Every frickin’ news story I see (most lately McCain’s blather) refers to Arizona as Ariz. AS IF this state didn’t have the FOURTH biggest city in the US. What … are people really that stupid? What other state would they confuse an A and a Z with? Arkansas? Alaska? As far as I can see they do this with NO OTHER state. People outside of the USA may not understand two-letter state abbreviations. I mention this only because I’ve experienced a number of cases where people seem to be unaware of the world outside the borders of the USA. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/14 "2013-06-17T13:13:09Z")
Born in Arizona, you say? Did you move to Babylonia? Have a condo made of Stone-uh? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/15 "2013-06-17T13:31:03Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > . . . nobody around here abbreviates Ohio; No, they just think it’s the same as Iowa. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/16 "2013-06-17T13:46:42Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > The problem is that these damned journalists blindly follow the [Associated Press Style Guide](http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/02/) without even considering the negative impact it might have on people from Ariz. I was going to say, all US news stories (at least those filed by organizations whose stylebooks are based on AP style, which is pretty much most of the American ones) use the traditional abbreviations (or a slight variant thereof) rather than the USPS abbreviations. It’s somewhat odd, as AP style is usually space-saving, but I assume it’s because the more “natural” abbreviations just look better in a line of text and are less prone to causing some readers confusion. Like the confusion that may surround “AL” (Alabama vs Alasaka), “AK” (Alaska vs Arkansas), “AR” (Arkansas vs Arizona), etc. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/17 "2013-06-17T13:55:58Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > People outside of the USA may not understand two-letter state abbreviations. I mention this only because I’ve experienced a number of cases where people seem to be unaware of the world outside the borders of the USA. Agreed. I mean if I saw AZ, I would no doubt pick Arizona, but what about MI? Is it Michigan? Is it Minnesota? Is it Missouri? Mississippi perhaps? Sorry, I don’t have them memorized. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/18 "2013-06-17T14:01:37Z")
I was very surprised recently when I was driving in IN near the IL border and saw official green highway signs identifying destinations as Anytown “Ill.” Especially noticed it as I had just read a book on fonts that addressed the historical trends and standardization re: road signs. But Ariz? Isn’t that some place in the Middle East? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/19 "2013-06-17T14:22:34Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Agreed. I mean if I saw AZ, I would no doubt pick Arizona, but what about MI? Is it Michigan? Is it Minnesota? Is it Missouri? Mississippi perhaps? > > Sorry, I don’t have them memorized. And it’s not even people outside the US. I still hiccup or have to think for a second or two if I come across a town I’ve never heard of with a two-letter postal code. For example, for some reason, my brain always wants to parse AK as Arkansas rather than Alaska. And I can see all the A and M abbreviations being confusing, which is why in news copy the true abbreviation style (as opposed to the two-letter code system or contractions) is clearer. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168/20 "2013-06-17T15:12:55Z")
Phoenix is NOT the 4th largest city in the U.S. That distinction goes to Houston. Phoenix is the 6th largest (just smaller than Philly) > **[List of United States cities by population](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population)** > > Population > This is a list of the most populous incorporated places of the United States. As defined by the United States Census Bureau, an incorporated place includes cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and municipalities.\[a\] A few exceptional census-designated places (CDPs) are also included in the Census Bureau's listing of incorporated places.\[b\] Consolidated city-counties represent a distinct type of government that includes the entire population of a county, or county equivalent. Some c... [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ariz-is-az-dammit/661168.md?page=2)