# N. Carolina = N. Cackalacky. WHY? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 27, 2000, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563 "2000-10-27T05:23:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/1 "2000-10-27T05:23:34Z")
I’ve picked up the habit of referring to the Carolinas as the Cackalackies. Might anyone have an idea as to the source of this term? ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/2 "2000-10-27T05:37:56Z")
My bet is controlled substances, but I’ll check back later to see if there are any other theories. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/3 "2000-10-27T05:41:20Z")
Well, first time I heard that term is from the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz. Have you ever heard his stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/4 "2000-10-27T06:59:07Z")
Yes. Wirtz. It just sounds like a silly way of saying “Carolina.” Laughs. Woo. * * * Yer pal, [Satan](http://www.members.tripod.com/jmspoofe/sdmb/satan.jpg) _TIME ELAPSED SINCE I QUIT SMOKING: Six months, two weeks, four days, 4 hours, 59 minutes and 56 seconds. 8048 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,006.04. Extra time with Drain Bead: 3 weeks, 6 days, 22 hours, 40 minutes._ ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/5 "2000-10-27T09:36:49Z")
I’ve heard this before as well, though I’ve no idea where it originates. My guess is its the same guy who came up with “Californ-eye-ay”,“Virginy”, “Flooridia” and “Jawja” - all of which I have heard as well. And, yes he was probably on drugs at the time. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/6 "2000-10-27T10:53:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Punoqllads \* > \*\*Well, first time I heard that term is from the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz. Have you ever heard his stuff? \*\* No. Who is he? (Can you post a link?) ---
**Author:** ![mazzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mazzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazzer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/7 "2000-10-27T14:38:57Z")
Californ-eye-ay is from a Beach Boys song. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/8 "2000-10-27T16:37:21Z")
I must admit confusion – I had been informed that the alternative pronunciation of N. Carolina was “North Bumf\*\*k” GD&R Sua ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/9 "2000-10-27T18:26:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by screech-owl \* > (Can you post a link?) [http://www.reverendbilly.com/](http://www.reverendbilly.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/779978/32.png) [@Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zumba_The_Cat)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-carolina-n-cackalacky-why/38563/10 "2000-10-27T18:54:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SuaSponte \* > **I must admit confusion – I had been informed that the alternative pronunciation of N. Carolina was "North Bumf** k" > \*\* Hey Sua, those are fighting words! There are some people on this board who live in North Carolina. I think that NC is the most beautiful state in the USA. The mountains in the fall and the outer banks in the summer…I think that I live in paradise. If you haven’t spent a weekend camping on a practically deserted island you haven’t lived. Anyway, I have heard Cackalackies too. I have no idea where it comes from either. It is fun to say though.