# For US Citizens, here's YOUR STATE MOTTO\* \* **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 6, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675 "2005-05-06T13:00:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/41 "2005-05-06T23:36:49Z")
> [@biddee](#): > > _Wisconsin_ > Come Cut The Cheese!\* When I was growing up it was **Wisconsin** : Come smell out dairy air. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/42 "2005-05-06T23:48:34Z")
Pennsylvania: “Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, with Alabama in Between” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/43 "2005-05-07T00:31:54Z")
**ouryL** , you really felt the need to quote the whole OP for a post that was only relevant to one-fiftieth of it? My wheel finger is tired now. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/44 "2005-05-07T00:42:09Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > 😕 > …and I _live_ in Illinois. What does this mean? Hee! I was just going to come in and say that some residents of Illinois don’t even know how to pronounce it. I was in Orange Krush last year. During halftime, when Chief Illiniwek comes and dances, we all gathered around the court and sang the Alma Mater. We sing the last line like this: _Victoryyyy Illinoiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzssssssssssszzzzzzzzz, Varrrsityyy!_ ---
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/45 "2005-05-07T00:49:56Z")
Hmmm. I think the Florida one should be less obvious. Poking fun at the elderly is like shooting elephants in a barrel. I was thinking something along the lines of this would be more fitting: > [@](#): > > Florida: turn around, your family’s not worth it. I can’t even begin to tell you how many people I’ve met say they only moved down here because this is where their family is. And they all regret it! Like a venus flytrap this state is… Or maybe: > [@](#): > > Florida: Now you can live out the same day over and over like Bill Murray in Groundshog Day! ---
**Author:** ![biddee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/46 "2005-05-07T01:07:05Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > When I was growing up it was > > **Wisconsin** : Come smell out dairy air. I would assume that was supposed to be come smell\* **our** \* dairy air? And are you serious or is this a whoosh? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/47 "2005-05-07T01:12:37Z")
> [@biddee](#): > > I would assume that was supposed to be come smell\* **our** \* dairy air? And are you serious or is this a whoosh? Yes, and if you mean if it’s the **real** state motto, heavens no. He was offering the Wisconsinite’s perspective on what their joke state motto should be. (And being an expatriate cheesehead, I can vouch for that.) ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/48 "2005-05-07T01:33:36Z")
Sorry **Guin**. It’s: Welcome to Pennsylvania. Road construction next 359 miles. State mineral: Asphalt. State animal: Flashing Detour Horse. State bird: Penndot Mack CF dumptruck, known by it’s distinctive call when backing: “Beep beep beep beep.” State food: Stew in Traffic. State flower: Eastern Pothole. State tree: Lane Closure Ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/49 "2005-05-07T01:45:51Z")
Here’s a few I remember from my last trip to the Great White North _Manitoba_ Just like North Dakota – only BIGGER! _British Columbia_ Not the Prairies, not the Maritimes, not French and who needs Ontario? _Ontario_ Better deals on prescription drugs! _Nunavit_ Try to find us. Really. Here’s a map. Go ahead. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/50 "2005-05-07T01:47:28Z")
For New York how about? **Do we have a motto? Who wants to know? Maybe we got a motto. Maybe we don’t. You got a problem with that? Hey Motto this !!!** ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/51 "2005-05-07T01:53:21Z")
If you want to see the **real mottoes** they are here: [http://www.1728.com/page1.htm](http://www.1728.com/page1.htm) and the **state nicknames** (which have yet to be discussed) are here. [http://www.1728.com/page2.htm](http://www.1728.com/page2.htm) For those in Michigan, I apologize but I feel your state has the strangest motto of ALL 50 states: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.” (and someone had the temerity to say New Mexico has a strange motto?) ---
**Author:** ![rfgdxm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@rfgdxm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rfgdxm)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/52 "2005-05-07T02:00:20Z")
> [@](#): > > _Michigan_ > First Line Of Defense From The Canadians\* Have things got that bad? Years ago I remembered crossing between MI and Canada without notice on either side. Last I read this soon will be no longer possible because as I don’t have a US passport I couldn’t reenter the US. I remember the day when the Detroit/Windor border was porous. So long as I didn’t make a jerk of myself in Canada, it wasn’t an issue. I am saddened by the thought that going to Canada is a thing to fear. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2005, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/53 "2005-05-07T02:02:58Z")
> [@biddee](#): > > _Ohio_ > At Least We’re Not Michigan\* \* Actually, that’s only for northern Ohio. Anything from Columbus on down is: “At Least We’re Not Kentucky. Or worse, West Virginia.” And of course the state is called “Ahia” down there. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/54 "2005-05-07T02:16:29Z")
> [@raz](#): > > I love the Kansas motto! Very fitting. > > We WERE the first of the rectangle states, dammit! Maybe your motto should be “We just \*\*think \*\*our state is rectangular.” (it’s not) ---
**Author:** ![Typically\_Sunday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Typically\_Sunday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typically_Sunday)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/55 "2005-05-07T03:07:30Z")
I have to say, the Arizona motto is so true it’s almost not funny. Almost. 🆒 And the Jersey motto should be: What, ya wanna make a cheap joke about Jersey here? Well come here and say it to my face, big guy! Wha, you scared? That’s right, tough guy! Run away! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lizard\_Queen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@The\_Lizard\_Queen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lizard_Queen)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/56 "2005-05-07T03:17:29Z")
Arizona Motto Haiku… The Sun is too hot. It will melt you where you stand. But it’s a dry heat. TLQ (who resides in the Valley of the Sun(stroke), Metro-Phoenix, AZ ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/57 "2005-05-07T04:01:51Z")
Man, all the possible things you could do for New Mexico and you come up with something stupid about lizards? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/58 "2005-05-07T04:26:19Z")
> [@TheOnlySaneOne](#): > > It would terrifying to wake up and be in Ohio. I’d miss the sun actually coming out for more than five minutes. I’d miss being able to drive in a direction that doesn’t somehow lead to Cleavland. I’d miss…well, basic dignity. > > 😛 You Wolverines and Buckeyes, sigh. Need I remind you that Iowa won **its** bowl game this year? ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/59 "2005-05-07T04:32:29Z")
**Come to Florida and could ya bring a tarp?** ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675/60 "2005-05-07T06:16:45Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Man, all the possible things you could do for New Mexico Here’s an alternative to the OP’s. **New Mexico** : _Yes, we are part of the United States of America, not Mexico!_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-citizens-heres-your-state-motto/302675.md?page=4)