# Your State's Weirdest Official Thingy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 27, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376 "2017-04-27T16:14:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/21 "2017-04-27T18:41:10Z")
I don’t know why Nevada needs a Tartan. 😕 And further, why it would have red in it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/22 "2017-04-27T18:52:04Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > California’s State Soil is [San Joaquin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Joaquin_(soil)) > To my surprise, other states have [their own soil.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_soils) > . Tennessee soils itself, every time it hears the word “Evolution”. Does that help? {DEWY-EYED INNOCENCE} ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/23 "2017-04-27T18:57:55Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Ignorance fought! Here I thought the phallic [Geoduck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoduck) would be the official mollusc of WA - maybe it’s “unofficial”. Our oyster is the official _state oyster_. We don’t have an official mollusc. We should introduce a bill. However, since it’s the [mascot](http://evergreen.edu/geoduck) for Evergreen State College, the other institutions of higher Ed in Washington might object. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/24 "2017-04-27T19:01:13Z")
Rhode Island State Shell is the Quahog. No surprise there. Our State Drink is Coffee Milk. I don’t even know if it’s available elsewhere. The State Rock is Cumberlandite whose only source is behind an old cemetery in our town. I don’t know how many states have an official appetizer but ours is Calamari, specifically battered fried squid rings usually served with hot peppers. The State Insect is the American Burying Beetle for some reason but if you asked Row Dilanders what the state bug is they’d mostly say it’s the [Big Blue Bug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blue_Bug#/media/File:Nibbles_Woodaway.JPG). ---
**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:** [April 27, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/25 "2017-04-27T19:07:51Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Rhode Island State Shell is the Quahog. No surprise there. Our State Drink is Coffee Milk. I don’t even know if it’s available elsewhere. The State Rock is Cumberlandite whose only source is behind an old cemetery in our town. I don’t know how many states have an official appetizer but ours is Calamari, specifically battered fried squid rings usually served with hot peppers. The State Insect is the American Burying Beetle for some reason but if you asked Row Dilanders what the state bug is they’d mostly say it’s the [Big Blue Bug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blue_Bug#/media/File:Nibbles_Woodaway.JPG). I’d say having a State Appetizer leads for weirdest so far. ---
**Author:** ![MentalGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MentalGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MentalGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/26 "2017-04-27T19:16:12Z")
Here is a list of [Kentucky State Symbols, Songs, and Emblems.](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ky_symb.htm) A few of the ones that are not obvious (like Coal, Thoroughbreds, and Bluegrass Music would be): Agricultural Insect: Honeybee Drink: Milk (Not Bourbon?) Fossil: Brachiopod Gemstone: Fresh Water Pearl Musical Instrument: Appalachian Dulcimer Soft Drink: Ale-8-One Silverware Pattern: Old Kentucky Bluegrass Sports Car: Corvette ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/27 "2017-04-27T19:33:33Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I’d say having a State Appetizer leads for weirdest so far. But that was before _this_ reared its funky little head: > [@MentalGuy](#): > > Here is a list of [Kentucky State Symbols, Songs, and Emblems.](http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ky_symb.htm) > … > Silverware Pattern: Old Kentucky Bluegrass > … ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/28 "2017-04-27T19:38:52Z")
> **[New Mexico](https://statesymbolsusa.org/states/united-states/new-mexico)** > > Official state symbols, emblems, and icons of New Mexico - places to see in New Mexico - landmarks, parks, historic markers, cities and towns - learn the culture and history of New Mexico! > **[New Mexico State Symbols and Emblems - Complete list of New Mexico state...](https://www.netstate.com/states/symb/nm_symb.htm)** > > Official New Mexico state symbols and emblems. Complete information about the official state symbols, songs, and emblems and their adoption. New Mexico has A state song A state ballad A state cowboy song A state Spanish song A state bilingual song For the ladies, our state necklace is the squash blossom. For the gents, our state necktie is the bolo. We have two state vegetables, chile and pinto beans (the legislature deemed them to be inseparable). Related to the chile, our state question is “red or green?” Our state fossil is the coelophysis. We have both a state butterfly (the Sandia hairstreak butterfly) and a state insect (the tarantula hawk wasp). I’m not sure why we need a state tartan, but the sett does a fair job of incorporating the state flag into the design. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/29 "2017-04-27T19:40:27Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > I’m hooked! > > South Carolina. I applaud your adoption of an official State Snack. But the _boiled peanut_? It’s a Southern thing. ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/30 "2017-04-27T19:41:03Z")
Hawaii has a state fish, which probably isn’t that unusual. The name is pretty cool, though: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a ---
**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:** [April 27, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/31 "2017-04-27T19:46:20Z")
> [@HubZilla](#): > > Hawaii has a state fish, which probably isn’t that unusual. The name is pretty cool, though: > > Humuhumunukunukuapua’a I think they throw in the apostrophe to make it hard to pronounce. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/32 "2017-04-27T19:46:43Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > I’m hooked! > > South Carolina. I applaud your adoption of an official State Snack. But the _boiled peanut_? > [@mbh](#): > > It’s a Southern thing. Being British, I had no place being flippant about anybody else’s grub. They’re probably delicious. Are they delicious? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/33 "2017-04-27T20:15:17Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Being British, I had no place being flippant about anybody else’s grub. They’re probably delicious. > > Are they delicious? I’ve never lived in Dixie, so I don’t actually know. Most southern dishes taste better than the name would lead you to expect. > **[Boiled peanuts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiled_peanuts)** > > Boiled peanuts are popular in some places where peanuts are common. Fully mature peanuts do not make good quality boiled peanuts; rather, raw or green ones are used. Raw denotes peanuts in a semi-mature state, having achieved full size but not being fully dried, as would be needed for roasting or peanut butter use. Green denotes freshly harvested and undried peanuts that must be refrigerated. After boiling in salt water they take on a strong salty taste, becoming softer with prolonged cooking, a... According to the wiki, they are boiled in water with either salt or spices. So they probably taste like a little bit of nut and a lot of seasoning. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/34 "2017-04-27T20:40:27Z")
Maryland has some pretty strange ones: State cat: Calico State Dessert: Smith Island cake State Exercise: Walking State Dance: Square dance State Theater: Center State I think that it’s really neat that Maryland’s official state sport is Jousting. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/35 "2017-04-27T20:41:33Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > I’ve never lived in Dixie, so I don’t actually know. Most southern dishes taste better than the name would lead you to expect. > > [Boiled peanuts - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiled_peanuts) > > According to the wiki, they are boiled in water with either salt or spices. So they probably taste like a little bit of nut and a lot of seasoning. I tries some once and thought they were way too salty. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/36 "2017-04-27T20:44:01Z")
I guess the State Thingy, so far, that I least would have expected, is that so many states have an official State Tartan. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/37 "2017-04-27T21:52:27Z")
Arizona has an official [neckware](https://www.google.com/search?q=Arizona+official+neckwear&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjP8Nqwz8XTAhUpxFQKHQOMAQgQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1920&bih=916). ---
**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:** [April 27, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/38 "2017-04-27T22:05:25Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > I am proud to say that Georgia’s state dog is the adoptable dog. I was surprised to find that South Carolina’s state dog was the [Plott Hound](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plott_Hound) rather than the Yellow Dog. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/39 "2017-04-27T22:31:43Z")
The Indiana state beverage - water. > [@RobDog](#): > > feel free to invent some as **BobLibDem** must surely have done 😉 Michigan is the state I lived in longest as an adult and that was the one I was going to post for them. [Kalkaska sand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalkaska_sand) isn’t just legally named as the state soil. It’s a real thing unique to the state. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376/40 "2017-04-27T22:48:52Z")
Hang On Sloopy has already been mentioned, which is the weirdest I know of for Ohio. Utah has a state bird, which isn’t unusual (I think all 50 have one of those). And there’s a very good historical reason for why their choice makes a lot of sense. But it’s still odd for a state’s Official Bird to be named after a different, not-even-bordering, state (the California Gull). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-states-weirdest-official-thingy/785376.md?page=3)