# So You Have To Dress Like Your State for Halloween... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513 "2008-09-27T23:58:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/61 "2008-09-29T07:19:33Z")
The easy or stereotypical route would be your standard-issue Mormon missionary. Since I’m a girl, that means a nice, frumpy looking dress, and a name tag. But if I were going to go crazy, (and take a page from **Chronos’** book) I’d choose [The Utahraptor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor) ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/62 "2008-09-29T10:27:32Z")
In honor of the state of my birth, I would dress as a loon. Except . . . I’m not entirely sure I want to have to explain to people that I’m not a big black and white duck. So I came up with a Plan B, requires more explanation, but is more interesting. Evening gown, Parka, Tiara, and a bunch of yellow pancake makeup. A Dairy Princess carved from butter from the Minnesota State Fair. (Note: when I’ve actually seen the Dairy Princesses being carved out of butter, they were wearing parkas but not evening gowns. But the evening gown would go a long way in my imagination to denote the whole winner of beauty pageant thing). ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/63 "2008-09-29T10:50:52Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > **Fretful** –if you know that song, “Mississippi Mud”, you could just plaster yourself with mud… But it’s a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud; all the other partygoers might start kicking you. Ow! > [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. Abe Lincoln, but the beard would itch. Plus, I’m only 5’7". > 2. Al Capone–carry a violin case, wear a zoot suit and spats; smoke. > 3. Vecro lots of small fans to my clothes (Windy City) and wear massive shoulder pads (City of the Big Shoulders). > 4. Lose 50 pounds, wear some type of native dress and carry a big rock and go as Starved Rock. [legend](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starved_Rock_State_Park) > 5. Dress as the Blues Brothers and pretend to like blues for a night. [underlining mine] 1. Alternatively, on the Abe Lincoln angle, you could go as a penny. 2. Then o’course, there’s the whole Carl Sandburg poem about Chicago for inspiration: > **[Chicago (poem)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(poem))** > > "Chicago" is a poem by Carl Sandburg about the city of Chicago that became his adopted home. It first appeared in Poetry, March 1914, the first of nine poems collectively titled "Chicago Poems". It was republished in 1916 in Sandburg's first mainstream collection of poems, also titled Chicago Poems. > Sandburg moved to Chicago in 1912 after living in Milwaukee, where he had served as secretary to Emil Seidel, Milwaukee's Socialist mayor. Harriet Monroe, a fellow resident of Chicago, had founded th... _Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler_ 1. Geez, eleanorigby, we must have lived right next door to each other or something when I was in Illinois. Next thing I know you’ll be talking about that LaGrotto Pizza on Rte 6 in L-P. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/64 "2008-09-29T12:20:41Z")
The proper Wisconsin costume that should leave no mistake as to the state is a badger. The animal, because dressing as a miner is to obscure, while dressing in a red outfit for the Badgers is cheating while being all some people can manage. No other state is called the badger state. Dressing as a can of Old Milwaukee or a Budweiser might be good for a more controversial outfit. Cheese is not necessarily Wisconsin and it needs to be colby if you dress as cheese, for Colby Wisconsin. I’d prefer to dress as a better cheese, but you need the word colby on your label, for the clarification that it’s Wisconsin. You could go as a hodag and that plants you in Rhinelander Wisconsin. I think there are enough folklore monster lovers out there to have people get the connection. I don’t think everybody will though. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/65 "2008-09-29T12:23:59Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > Wow, not much to choose from. Pigs, corn, soybeans, or some unholy GMO blend of all three, I suppose. Or I might wear pants that are too short and wait for another flood. Dress as an Ertl toy tractor. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/66 "2008-09-29T13:31:07Z")
If you wore a costume designed to represent the state of Ohio, you’d be short and wide. Which wouldn’t make you stand out from a lot of other Ohioans. Or you could enlist the aid of your family, and dress as a giant buckeye pursued by a horde of rabid squirrels. ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/67 "2008-09-29T17:43:56Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > If you wore a costume designed to represent the state of Ohio, you’d be short and wide. Which wouldn’t make you stand out from a lot of other Ohioans. > > Or you could enlist the aid of your family, and dress as a giant buckeye pursued by a horde of rabid squirrels. Wait, I thought you’d have to be round on both ends and high in the middle to be Ohio. [badum, bum] ---
**Author:** ![Elysium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@Elysium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysium)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/68 "2008-09-29T18:13:04Z")
In honor of our bastard of a state bird I think I’ll be a big fat turkey. Then I’d beat people up all night, because they really are assholes. But they are also so tasty, so I guess they’re okay. As long as they’re smothered in gravy with a side of mash. If the turkey costume got too hot or I got kicked out for biting people I’d come back as a pilgrim. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/69 "2008-09-29T18:54:53Z")
Well you should go as the Empire State building since NY is the Empire State. For Oklahoma I would just give my neck a liberal dusting with red makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/70 "2008-09-29T19:23:04Z")
Oklahoma you wear an oak key, and if you want to go all out you wear an oak key with a stogy. Stogy is the closest I can get Mistokie. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/71 "2008-09-29T19:32:08Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Now if I really wanted to get crazy, I could start adding little items all over the dress to symbolize bits of history, mythology, and current coolness. The list could go on and on…but one thing I would certainly do is embroider, somewhere on the Pine Barrens Skirt, a little Jersey Devil! Don’t forget the stinky southern part! For Maryland, where I live now, the state motto is “Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine” Manly Deeds, Womanly Words. So, I guess I could swing a sledgehammer and talk purty. For Alberta, where I lived most of my life, I’d dress as a cow with an oil derrick on it’s back. Or paint my neck red. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/72 "2008-09-29T20:16:35Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Don’t forget the stinky southern part! > > For Maryland, where I live now, the state motto is “Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine” Manly Deeds, Womanly Words. So, I guess I could swing a sledgehammer and talk purty. Oh DUH. “America in Miniature” is also pretty common appellation, so I could just wear a teeny map of America. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/73 "2008-09-29T20:17:32Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Oh DUH. “America in Miniature” is also pretty common appellation, so I could just wear a teeny map of America. And nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/74 "2008-09-29T20:31:15Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Don’t forget the stinky southern part! > > For Maryland, where I live now, the state motto is “Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine” Manly Deeds, Womanly Words. So, I guess I could swing a sledgehammer and talk purty. > > For Alberta, where I lived most of my life, I’d dress as a cow with an oil derrick on it’s back. Or paint my neck red. I’d get Alberta if I knew it was Canada, but otherwise I’d wonder if it was Texas. Throw in a Canadian touk and I’d get it for sure. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/75 "2008-09-29T22:47:01Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > I’d get Alberta if I knew it was Canada, but otherwise I’d wonder if it was Texas. Throw in a Canadian touk and I’d get it for sure. _Tuque_! And possibly some lovely bacon. **Zebra** has clearly never seen me naked. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/76 "2008-09-29T23:30:34Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > But it’s a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud; all the other partygoers might start kicking you. Ow! > > 1. Alternatively, on the Abe Lincoln angle, you could go as a penny. > 2. Then o’course, there’s the whole Carl Sandburg poem about Chicago for inspiration: > > [Chicago (poem) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(poem)) > > _Hog Butcher for the World, > Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, > Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler_ > > 1. Geez, eleanorigby, we must have lived right next door to each other or something when I was in Illinois. Next thing I know you’ll be talking about that LaGrotto Pizza on Rte 6 in L-P. Nah–I’ve just been to Starved Rock a couple of times. It’s pretty there. I did the Chicago poem with my big shoulder pads, dude! (the pizza sounds good, though–I googled it). Hey, if I went as a penny, I could say this to all the cute guys and maybe get a date out of it:" Find a penny, pick it up; all the day you’ll have good luck!" Now you see why I don’t date… ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/77 "2008-09-30T00:08:17Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Nah–I’ve just been to Starved Rock a couple of times. It’s pretty there. I did the Chicago poem with my big shoulder pads, dude! (the pizza sounds good, though–I googled it). > > Hey, if I went as a penny, I could say this to all the cute guys and maybe get a date out of it:" Find a penny, pick it up; all the day you’ll have good luck!" > Now you see why I don’t date… Well next time you make it to Starved Rock, mosey on over to LaGrotto. You won’t be disappointed. Isn’t there something about rubbing the nose on Abe’s statue for good luck? If you place it just—oh wait, you’re not a guy 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/78 "2008-09-30T00:16:45Z")
California = Minerva ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/79 "2008-09-30T00:21:57Z")
Well, since the city of Oslo and surrounding country is also an administrative zone, I’m comming as [Saint Hallvard](http://www.byarkivet.oslo.kommune.no/OBA/aktuelt_arkiv/St_Hallvard.asp), Oslo’s patron saint. I’ll be wearing a red tunic, a cape, a helmet and halo, and I’ll be carrying a millstone (papier maché) in one hand and three arrows in the other. ---
**Author:** ![Charger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charger)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513/80 "2008-09-30T00:32:48Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > The proper Wisconsin costume that should leave no mistake as to the state is a badger. The animal, because dressing as a miner is to obscure, while dressing in a red outfit for the Badgers is cheating while being all some people can manage. No other state is called the badger state. > > Dressing as a can of Old Milwaukee or a Budweiser might be good for a more controversial outfit. > > Cheese is not necessarily Wisconsin and it needs to be colby if you dress as cheese, for Colby Wisconsin. I’d prefer to dress as a better cheese, but you need the word colby on your label, for the clarification that it’s Wisconsin. > > You could go as a hodag and that plants you in Rhinelander Wisconsin. I think there are enough folklore monster lovers out there to have people get the connection. I don’t think everybody will though. Probably a badger wearing a cheesehead hat, carrying a pitcher of beer and a bloody butcher knife. That way you’ve got all of Wisconsin’s claims to fame represented: badgers, cheese, beer, and serial killers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-have-to-dress-like-your-state-for-halloween/465513.md?page=5)