1

Connecticut - The Land of the Nutmeggers

Image: Rusty Watson

While "Connecticuter" might be the official term, most people in Connecticut prefer the more charming nickname: Nutmegger. The name dates back to colonial times, when Connecticut traders were said to sell wooden nutmegs to unsuspecting buyers.

Maybe this is just a myth, but the nickname stuck, and today, Nutmeggers wear it with pride.

2

Kansas - Jayhawkers and Kansans

Image: madeleine craine

Kansas residents have two names to choose from: the straightforward "Kansan" and the more colorful "Jayhawker."

The latter has roots in the Civil War era, when it was the term used to describe anti-slavery guerrilla fighters. Over time, it evolved into a general nickname for Kansans and is now especially associated with the University of Kansas and its sports teams.

3

Massachusetts - Bay Staters Unite

Image: Venti Views

Many state-based nicknames trace their roots to official state monikers. For example, residents of Massachusetts proudly call themselves Bay Staters, a nod to the state’s nickname, "The Bay State."

Massachusetts has a long colonial history defined by its coastal economy, from fishing to trade. So, while "Massachusettsan" technically works, you’ll rarely hear anyone use it. Bay Staters take pride in their rich Revolutionary War history, world-class universities, and, of course, their love of sports (go Sox!).

4

New Hampshire - The Granite Staters

Image: Suraj Gattani

If you’re from New Hampshire, you’re a Granite Stater—a name that reflects the state’s rugged and independent spirit. But do you know where the term comes from?

It originates from the state’s vast granite formations and quarries, which were once a major industry. But the nickname represents more than just rock; it’s a metaphor for the residents’ resilience and toughness. No wonder the state’s motto is "Live Free or Die"!

5

Ohio - The Buckeye State’s Buckeyes

Image: Matthew Bornhorst

Ohioans have an official demonym, but most people prefer Buckeye. The nickname comes from the state tree, the buckeye, whose nut resembles the eye of a deer.

It gained popularity during the 1840 presidential campaign of Ohioan William Henry Harrison, who was nicknamed the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Candidate." Today, Buckeye is more than a demonym—it’s the name of a sports team, a state candy, and a symbol of Ohio pride!

6

Indiana - Hoosier Mysteries

Image: Ryan De Hamer

No one knows exactly where the term Hoosier comes from, but that hasn’t stopped Indiana residents from embracing it enthusiastically.

Some theories suggest it originated as an old frontier greeting ("Who’s here?"), while others trace it to hardworking laborers called "hoosiers" in the 1800s. In any case, Hoosiers are fiercely proud of their basketball legacy, farming roots, and the legendary Indy 500.

7

New Jersey - New Jerseyans or New Jerseyites?

Image: Manisha Raghunath

New Jersey residents can choose between New Jerseyan and New Jerseyite, though the former is much more common.

While the rest of the country might associate New Jersey with diners, boardwalks, and The Sopranos , New Jerseyans know their state is about much more. With its mix of beaches, suburbs, cities, and farmland, they've earned the right to choose their own demonym!

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Hawaii - Kama‘āina, Malihini, and More

Image: Luke McKeown

In Hawaii, what you call someone often depends on how long they’ve been there. Does that make sense? It does to them!

A kama‘āina is a longtime resident, regardless of ethnicity, while a malihini is a newcomer. Yes, "Hawaii resident" is perfectly acceptable, but the island terms carry deeper meaning. Kama‘āina reflects a strong connection to the islands, traditions, and way of life, while malihini refers to those still learning and adapting. No matter whether you're kama‘āina or malihini , the aloha spirit welcomes all.

9

Michigan - Michiganians, Michiganders, or Michiganites?

Image: Brad Switzer

Michigan residents have a lot of options: Michiganians, Michiganders, or Michiganites. Let’s set the record straight: Michiganian is the official term, but Michigander is by far the most popular, thanks in part to Abraham Lincoln, who supposedly coined it to tease a political opponent from Michigan.

Some people even prefer Michiganite , though it sounds more like a type of rock than a person, right? No matter the term, they’re all part of the same mitten-shaped home.

10

Colorado - Coloradan or Coloradoan?

Image: Rich Martello

The great and final debate: Coloradan or Coloradoan? Actually, both are used, but Coloradan is the more common choice. The extra "o" in Coloradoan might seem unnecessary, but some argue it better reflects the state’s Spanish origins.

Either way, residents of Colorado are known for their love of the outdoors, craft beer, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. So, if you’re wondering what to call them, just don’t call them flatlanders!

1

Marion

Image: Noom Peerapong

We know him as John Wayne, but he was born Marion Robert Morrison . His early minor roles were credited under the name "Duke Morrison," but he adopted a stage name for his first starring role in The Big Trail . The film’s director suggested "Anthony Wayne," after a general from the Revolutionary War, but the studio thought it sounded too Italian, so it was changed to " John Wayne ."

2

The Duke

Image: Egor Gordeev

John Wayne’s nickname came from his childhood pet terrier , Duke . The two were inseparable, so people started calling him "Little Duke." He preferred the nickname over his given name and even used it for his first film roles. The name resurfaced years later when director John Ford began calling him "Duke" again. By then, Wayne was already a popular actor, and he welcomed the old name with open arms.

3

The footballer who wasn’t

Image: Kaleb Becker

Did you know we almost had "Duke Morrison, footballer" instead of "John Wayne, actor"? After failing to get into the US Naval Academy, Wayne enrolled at the University of Southern California on a football scholarship . But an injury from a bodysurfing accident cut his athletic career short, and he eventually had to leave college.

Not all was lost, though: silent film star Tom Mix, who received football tickets in exchange for giving summer jobs to USC players, helped Wayne land a gig as an extra and prop boy.

4

The first big role and breakthrough

Image: Jason Dent

Raoul Walsh’s The Big Trail was one of the first Western superproductions of the sound era. Walsh wanted to cast an unknown actor in the leading role and chose Wayne after spotting him moving furniture around the studio.

The film was a box office failure, and Wayne spent much of the 1930s acting in low-budget Westerns. His big break came with Stagecoach , directed by the legendary John Ford, which finally put him in the spotlight.

5

Attempts to enlist

Image: Rodrigo Rodriguez

When World War II broke out, Wayne was not drafted due to his age and family situation. Despite this, he made several attempts to enlist and even tried to convince John Ford to bring him into his military unit. Ultimately, he gave up after his studio threatened him with a lawsuit for breaching his contract. It’s said that he carried the guilt of staying behind for the rest of his life.

6

John Ford

Image: Mike Fox

John Ford’s Stagecoach established John Wayne as a leading actor and began his long collaboration with the director. The two worked together on more than 20 films, many of which are considered Western classics , including Fort Apache , The Searchers , The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance , Rio Grande , and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon .

7

Awards

Image: James A. Molnar

Wayne received several nominations and awards throughout his career, both as an actor and a director. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for Sands of Iwo Jima and for Best Picture for The Alamo , which he also directed. He finally won the Oscar for his role as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit . He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the airport in Orange County, California, is named after him.

8

International popularity (or not)

Image: Vitaliy Shevchenko

Wayne’s films made him an American icon and a celebrity both in the US and abroad. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito reportedly asked to meet him during a visit to the United States, impressed by his performance in Sands of Iwo Jima , and so did Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

According to some biographers, the FBI allegedly thwarted an assassination attempt ordered by Joseph Stalin, who viewed Wayne as a symbol of anti-communist ideals. While this story remains unverified, it has become part of Wayne’s larger-than-life legend.

9

Wayne vs Sinatra

Image: Dan Burton

John Wayne was known to have feuded with several celebrities due to his strong personality and political views. One of the most prominent was his disdain for Frank Sinatra , whom he believed had communist sympathies. Their animosity escalated when Wayne reportedly filed a noise complaint against Sinatra at a hotel and allegedly got into a fistfight with one of Sinatra’s bodyguards. Despite their differences, the Duke and Ol’ Blue Eyes eventually made peace years later.

10

The Duke’s death

Image: Aubrey Odom

John Wayne died of stomach cancer in 1979, a disease many have linked to his filming of The Conqueror in the Escalante Desert, Nevada, near a nuclear testing facility. It is reported that about half of the film’s cast and crew developed cancer, and nearly half of those cases were fatal.

Wayne’s family stated that he converted to Catholicism and received baptism in his final days. He reportedly requested that his grave bear the inscription " Feo, fuerte y formal " (Spanish for "ugly, strong, and dignified," in Wayne’s own words). However, his grave remained unmarked for 20 years after his death.

1

Prank calls

Image: Happysurd Photography

With smartphones taking over, the classic prank call is slowly fading away. Back in the day, dialing a random number to play a harmless joke and share a laugh with friends was a common pastime. Today, with caller ID and mobile phones everywhere, executing those little tricks has become more complicated.

2

Block parties

Image: Yifan Gu

We used to know all our neighbors, and that sense of community was deep. Today, things have changed. With growing cities and people moving more often, your neighbors might be gone before you even learn their names. On top of that, our lives are busier than ever, and closing off a street for a party isn’t as simple as it once was. With these new dynamics, the once-beloved block party has become a rare thing, mostly surviving in small towns or communities. Remember the last time you went to one?

3

Ding-dong ditch

Image: Waldemar Brandt

Remember when kids could safely roam the streets for hours? The good old days! Wandering around your neighborhood or even a different one, there was always someone who came up with the idea: ringing a doorbell and running away. It might have been a little annoying for the person who opened the door, but it was all in good fun.

4

Fruit baskets

Image: Nick Fewings

Our mothers and grandmothers knew that when it came to celebrations, anniversaries, holidays, or any special occasion, a beautifully arranged fruit basket was always a thoughtful gift. This simple gesture showed care and dedication, but today, it’s slowly disappearing. Why? The convenience of online shopping and the trend toward more personalized presents have made this classic gift increasingly rare.

5

Christmas cards

Image: Richard Bell

If you’re like us and just love greeting cards, you’ve probably noticed that fewer people are taking the time to go to the store, pick the perfect card, write a message, and send it off. While traditional greeting cards and Christmas cards are slowly being replaced by digital alternatives, there will always be those of us who appreciate this lovely ritual.

6

School reunions

Image: RUT MIIT

Reunions with former classmates tend to divide people: some look forward to them with excitement, while others would rather skip them altogether. We won’t ask which side you’re on, but there’s no denying that these gatherings are becoming rarer. While a few devoted groups still make an effort to keep it alive year after year, this custom doesn’t seem to be among the younger generations’ priorities.

7

Bake sales

Image: John Dancy

Whether at school, church, or in the neighborhood, who didn’t take part in a bake sale as a kid? However, in today’s fast-paced world, finding time to bake delicious cookies has become a rare treat. This classic way of raising money for a shared cause hasn’t vanished, but it’s definitely losing steam. With virtual wallets and social media, fundraising looks very different today.

8

Black Friday

Image: Markus Spiske

Black Friday, as we once knew it, is evolving into something new. Those endless lines outside stores are now much shorter, thanks to the rise of online shopping. In addition, with the increase in per capita consumption, Black Friday is no longer confined to the day after Thanksgiving; it now stretches across the entire week, and in many cases, the whole month.

9

Appointment TV

Image: Vitaly Gariev

We’ve all gotten used to on-demand content, which lets us watch, rewind, and replay whenever we like. While this convenience is great, it has slowly replaced the old habit of appointment TV, those moments when families or neighbors would gather in their living rooms at a set time to watch a big game, a premiere, or the season finale, sharing a sense of community that’s not so common today.

10

Private fireworks

Image: Leo Okuyama

As the years have passed, we’ve learned more about the risks of fireworks: How they can frighten pets, harm the environment, and cause serious injuries in both children and adults. We can’t deny that lighting fireworks in the backyard with the family is a magical moment, but these days, that tradition has mostly moved to large events in stadiums or music festivals, where trained professionals handle the show.