# Ridiculous Official State Whatevers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2020, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668 "2020-06-14T20:05:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/1 "2020-06-14T20:05:20Z")
In your opinion, what is the most ridiculous official symbol of the 50 states of the United States? You know, official state bird, official state tree, etc. To be fair, I suppose we should also hear about analogous official symbols from U.S. territories, Canadian provinces, Mexican estados, etc. I find the description of the official state soil of Arkansas rather amusing: “The Stuttgart soil series, member of a soil family of fine, smectitic, thermic albaquultic hapludalfs, is designated and declared as the official Arkansas state soil.” (AR Code § 1-4-124 (2012)). ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/2 "2020-06-14T21:16:25Z")
I always giggle at California’s official state fossil. (The saber-toothed cat.) New Mexico’s official state question (“Red or Green?”) is also delightful. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/3 "2020-06-14T21:33:30Z")
In 1962, Maryland was the first state to adopt a state sport. They could have chosen any sport at the time. Which one did they pick? JOUSTING! And not the good kind, either! Participants spear a carousel-type ring suspended in the air. Jeez! I can think of a lot of Marylanders I’d pay to see go mano-a-mano on horseback with a lance: William Donald Schaefer, Earl Weaver, Sally Thorner, Bob Turk, Cal Ripken [remainder of lengthy list expunged] ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/4 "2020-06-14T21:34:12Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > New Mexico’s official state question (“Red or Green?”) is also delightful. Green! A lot of these things are mainly for tourism purposes really. I don’t think it ridiculous but rather have always liked Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. A beautiful fish, and we often see it in the waters here in Waikiki. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/5 "2020-06-14T21:39:44Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > \ Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. \ Walla walla bing bang! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/6 "2020-06-14T21:47:45Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I always giggle at California’s official state fossil. (The saber-toothed cat.) Hey, as state fossils go, that one’s pretty cool. Some other states have cool ones like dinosaurs or woolly mammoths, but a lot have crap like petrified wood or seashells. But for sheer ridiculousness, you really can’t beat Illionois’ [Tully Monster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tullimonstrum#/media/File:Tullimonstrum_NT_small.jpg) _Tullimonstrum_. Even though it looks like it should be a pal of Spongebob Squarepants, it really existed. Its relationships have long been a mystery, but the best guess recently is that it’s related to lampreys. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/7 "2020-06-14T21:53:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Hey, as state fossils go, that one’s pretty cool. Some other states have cool ones like dinosaurs or woolly mammoths, but a lot have crap like petrified wood or seashells. But for sheer ridiculousness, you really can’t beat Illionois’ [Tully Monster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tullimonstrum#/media/File:Tullimonstrum_NT_small.jpg) _Tullimonstrum_. > > Even though it looks like it should be a pal of Spongebob Squarepants, it really existed. It’s relationships have long been a mystery, but the best guess recently is that it’s related to lampreys. Indeed. Look at New York’s State Fossil, Donald J. Chump. Or is that Florida’s now? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/8 "2020-06-14T23:02:51Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Indeed. Look at New York’s State Fossil, Donald J. Chump. Or is that Florida’s now? This isn’t a political thread. Don’t try to make it one. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/9 "2020-06-14T23:23:47Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Green! > > A lot of these things are mainly for tourism purposes really. > > I don’t think it ridiculous but rather have always liked Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. A beautiful fish, and we often see it in the waters here in Waikiki. It’s also in a song sung by Alfred Apaka! I loved trying to sing along when I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/10 "2020-06-14T23:36:08Z")
We have kids in Wisconsin. They say the mosquito is the “state bird” but on any of our drives there over the years I’d have to say that “honour” should go to North Dakota.😬 ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/11 "2020-06-14T23:36:08Z")
Wikipedia: [List of official California state thingies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_symbols). Note, several decidedly oddball thing there. (Official state fabric: Denim. Lichen: Lace lichen, _Ramalina menziesii_. Nuts: They couldn’t make up their mind, there are four of them :smack: . Tartan: California State Tartan. Vegetable: Artichoke :D) Notably missing: California State Mollusk: Banana Slug. [This apparently really was considered in a bill before the Legislature](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-09-mn-737-story.html) (way back in 1988), but I guess it didn’t make the list. It is, however, the official mascot of U. C. Santa Cruz. I assume that Wikipedia must have a page like this for every state. ---
**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 14, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/12 "2020-06-14T23:41:06Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Wikipedia: [List of official California state thingies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_symbols). Note, several decidedly oddball thing there. (Official state fabric: Denim. Lichen: Lace lichen, _Ramalina menziesii_. Nuts: They couldn’t make up their mind, there are four of them :smack: . Tartan: California State Tartan. Vegetable: Artichoke :D) > > Notably missing: California State Mollusk: Banana Slug. [This apparently really was considered in a bill before the Legislature](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-09-mn-737-story.html) (way back in 1988), but I guess it didn’t make the list. It is, however, the official mascot of U. C. Santa Cruz. > > **I assume that Wikipedia must have a page like this for every state.** [Lists of United States state symbols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_United_States_state_symbols) As far as the State Nut, I would have nominated Berkeley. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/13 "2020-06-14T23:42:38Z")
Missed the second edit window, so now you’ll never get to see the quote I was going to add to the above post, regarding the banana slug. So fuck it. The end is in sight, and I’m done fighting with this board. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/14 "2020-06-15T04:47:10Z")
In the 30’s, South Carolina hat to compete with the Peach State and the Sunshine State, but the only thing they led the nation in was Iodine products; so they put that on their license plates. > **[RARE 1932 SOUTH CAROLINA IODINE LICENSE PLATE TAG | #249011618](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1932-south-carolina-iodine-license-249011618)** > > This very popular HTF tag has been very nicely restored. It lays flat and has no extra holes. Not perfect....but a very nice one. Please email any questions. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/15 "2020-06-15T04:53:13Z")
Ontario doesn’t have any [particularly-unusual symbols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbols_of_Ontario), but it is worth noting that the provincial bird is the Common Loon, _Gavia immer_. I can hear them calling to each other across the Internet even as I sit here. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/16 "2020-06-15T09:43:26Z")
Oklahoma has a [state meal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_state_meal), which consists of BBQ pork, chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, corn, fried okra, grits, squash, cornbread, pecan pie, and strawberries. (IMO, anyone who eats all of that in one sitting _deserves_ what they’ve got coming.) ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/17 "2020-06-15T10:02:37Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Ontario doesn’t have any [particularly-unusual symbols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbols_of_Ontario), but it is worth noting that the provincial bird is the Common Loon, _Gavia immer_. I can hear them calling to each other across the Internet even as I sit here. More than half of Canada’s provincial birds are predators, in sharp contrast to yhe US, where nearly all are pretty little songbirds, voted on by school children. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/18 "2020-06-15T10:28:37Z")
I got curious, and Texas does have an official state vehicle. I expected it to be “Pickup truck”, but it’s the [Chuck Wagon](https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/texas/state-railroad-vehicle-state-cultural-heritage/chuck-wagon). Apropos, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/19 "2020-06-15T11:35:01Z")
The official bird of the city of Madison, Wisconsin is the pink plastic flamingo. Really. [Why the Plastic Flamingo is the Official Bird of Madison, Wisconsin | Mental Floss](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/76600/why-plastic-flamingo-official-bird-madison-wisconsin) ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668/20 "2020-06-15T12:04:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Oklahoma has a [state meal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_state_meal), which consists of BBQ pork, chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, corn, fried okra, grits, squash, cornbread, pecan pie, and strawberries. (IMO, anyone who eats all of that in one sitting _deserves_ what they’ve got coming.) BBQ pork, chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, corn, fried okra, grits, squash, cornbread, pecan pie, and strawberries. Isn’t that also the last meal requested by 4 out of 5 condemned prisoners in the USA? Weird and wild stuff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-official-state-whatevers/855668.md?page=2)