The state bourbon festival of Kentucky is the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
May 21, 2015 11:58 AM Subscribe
The Official State Amphibian of Kansas is the Barred Tiger Salamander.
The Official State Firearm of Arizona is the Colt Single-Action Army Revolver.
The Official State Carnivorous Plant of North Carolina is the Venus Flytrap.
The Official State Artifact of California is the Chipped Stone Bear.
Some state symbols make perfect sense: the state fruit of Georgia is the peach, the state sport of Hawaii is surfing, the state flavor of Vermont is maple. But why does Delaware even HAVE an Official State Macroinvertebrate? What legislative peculiarity of process led to the designation of Alabama's Official State Musical Drama? Was everybody drunk on the day they voted for Texas's Official State Cooking Implement?
Some state symbols are so consistent they are almost universal; nearly every state that has designated an Official State Dance has chosen the square dance for the honor. (Exceptions include Hawaii, which is obviously the hula, and North Carolina, which picked clogging.) Almost everyone's Official State Beverage is milk, though Indiana decided to grab for the brass ring of boring beverages and honor water, and Ohio saluted brunch-goers everywhere by selecting tomato juice.
Last but not least: The Official State Declamation of Tennessee is "I AM TENNESSEE." Just in case you had doubts.
Some state symbols make perfect sense: the state fruit of Georgia is the peach, the state sport of Hawaii is surfing, the state flavor of Vermont is maple. But why does Delaware even HAVE an Official State Macroinvertebrate? What legislative peculiarity of process led to the designation of Alabama's Official State Musical Drama? Was everybody drunk on the day they voted for Texas's Official State Cooking Implement?
Some state symbols are so consistent they are almost universal; nearly every state that has designated an Official State Dance has chosen the square dance for the honor. (Exceptions include Hawaii, which is obviously the hula, and North Carolina, which picked clogging.) Almost everyone's Official State Beverage is milk, though Indiana decided to grab for the brass ring of boring beverages and honor water, and Ohio saluted brunch-goers everywhere by selecting tomato juice.
Last but not least: The Official State Declamation of Tennessee is "I AM TENNESSEE." Just in case you had doubts.
Ah, the Minnesota State Photograph is Grace, or, "The Old Man With the Headache", as we used to call it when we were kids.
posted by Elly Vortex at 12:11 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Elly Vortex at 12:11 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
The Maryland State Sport is jousting, not to be confused with Maryland's State Team Sport, which is Lacrosse. Our State Crustacean isthe Blue Crab, that beautiful swimmer that is savory. Maryland, My Maryland.
posted by Rob Rockets at 12:12 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Rob Rockets at 12:12 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
North Carolina has two official berries, the official state red berry (strawberries) and the official state blue berry (blueberries), which amuses me for being simultaneously boring and stupidly specific. I guess the state does produce some blueberries? I had no idea. Strawberries certainly, but I never saw a blueberry farm growing up.
At least the state dog (Plott Hound) and state historic boat (Shadd Boat) are interesting and have historical connections to the state.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 12:13 PM on May 21, 2015
At least the state dog (Plott Hound) and state historic boat (Shadd Boat) are interesting and have historical connections to the state.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 12:13 PM on May 21, 2015
Louisiana's official state donut is the beignet, and its official state crustacean is the crawfish. That'd make you think we're kind of pandering to the New Orleans tourist trade ... but then we bust out the knowledge that the official state meat pie is the Natchitoches meat pie and you're all like "Whoa."
posted by komara at 12:14 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by komara at 12:14 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
the state flavor of Vermont is maple
Vermont is the only state to have an Official State Flavor. I tried launching a petition to name Old Bay the Official State Flavor of Maryland, but it never got off the ground. Pity.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:17 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Vermont is the only state to have an Official State Flavor. I tried launching a petition to name Old Bay the Official State Flavor of Maryland, but it never got off the ground. Pity.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:17 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Blueberries grow in the mountains of NC and strawberries grow in the piedmont mostly.
I to this day resent being made to learn the state symbols in school. Never did learn budgeting but I can tell you that our state shell is the scotch bonnet by god
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:23 PM on May 21, 2015 [7 favorites]
I to this day resent being made to learn the state symbols in school. Never did learn budgeting but I can tell you that our state shell is the scotch bonnet by god
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:23 PM on May 21, 2015 [7 favorites]
...the official state blue berry (blueberries)...
Ha! Take that, huckleberries!
posted by General Tonic at 12:24 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Ha! Take that, huckleberries!
posted by General Tonic at 12:24 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Some enterprising legislator needs to propose selecting one of their state's Official State Symbols to become the first Official State Official State Symbol.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:25 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 12:25 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
I suspect many of these oddities were initiated as student projects or ways to encourage civic engagement. At least NH has found a way to address this rampant problem.
posted by cubby at 12:25 PM on May 21, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by cubby at 12:25 PM on May 21, 2015 [11 favorites]
A large part of why there are so many of these is because a common way to teach civics to kids is to have them shepherd one of these sort of bills through the legislative process. Usually, it goes smoothly, but as we saw in New Hampshire recently, there is the potential for it to go horribly wrong.
posted by NoxAeternum at 12:27 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by NoxAeternum at 12:27 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
The official state coffee of Massachusetts is Dunkin' Donuts and it tastes like an ashtray full of birdshit so let's not get ahead of ourselves guys.
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:28 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:28 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
North Carolina also has an official state toast (like a drinking toast) which I love. I know it by heart, presumably I had to learn it for school, but in my head I always hear with Charles Kuralt's voice.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 12:29 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 12:29 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Do these answer any contentious questions, like, "What's New Jersey's official state smell?"
posted by indubitable at 12:30 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by indubitable at 12:30 PM on May 21, 2015
Fear. It's the smell of fear.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:33 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:33 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
Ah, the Minnesota State Photograph is Grace
That's required to be in every old lady's house in MN, but I never realized it was a photo. I never thought much about it but I guess I assumed it was painted.
And having lived in Kansas I'm not a bit surprised to see the multiple official references to sunflowers or the fact that they made the official language English waaaaaay back in 2007. Looking further I see that 18 states have done the same. I wonder how many of them did it for "learn English already" reasons and how many did it for other reasons like not having all official state documents be in 37 different languages.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 12:34 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's required to be in every old lady's house in MN, but I never realized it was a photo. I never thought much about it but I guess I assumed it was painted.
And having lived in Kansas I'm not a bit surprised to see the multiple official references to sunflowers or the fact that they made the official language English waaaaaay back in 2007. Looking further I see that 18 states have done the same. I wonder how many of them did it for "learn English already" reasons and how many did it for other reasons like not having all official state documents be in 37 different languages.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 12:34 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Invertebrates are state symbols? I love it! I just did a search and my favorite invertebrate, the praying mantis (aka Mantis religiosa) is already busy at work representing Connecticut.
Let's not forget loveable microbes. Wisconsin has already claimed Lactococcus lactis for all those cheese lovers out there.
Mefites were coming up with microbes for other states, too, although I don't think any went to their state legislators with their ideas.
posted by Wolfster at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Let's not forget loveable microbes. Wisconsin has already claimed Lactococcus lactis for all those cheese lovers out there.
Mefites were coming up with microbes for other states, too, although I don't think any went to their state legislators with their ideas.
posted by Wolfster at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
As it turns out, the Illinois state poem is not "The Death Poem."
posted by Iridic at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by Iridic at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2015
it tastes like an ashtray full of birdshit
I'd like to hear the story of how you came to know what that tastes like!
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'd like to hear the story of how you came to know what that tastes like!
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
That's a crime that North Carolina's state beverage is milk. Any fool that has spent more than five minutes in this state knows it should be Sweet Tea. You could make a case for Cheerwine too.
posted by marxchivist at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by marxchivist at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2015 [11 favorites]
I like the stonefly being a state symbol - it's a recognition of how the lesser, and less charismatic, organisms have just as important places in ecological niches and play a critical role in monitoring environmental quality. Plus they're great for fly fishing, so it has multiple meanings as symbol for the outdoors. Good for Delaware (though I know nothing of their commitment).
That's in wild contrast to the recently adopted symbol by the Wyoming legislature, its reaction to the collection of data by "citizen scientists" on ANY open land (private, state, or federal) that they might give to the Federal government - like, oh, my discovering new dinosaur bones on BLM land and telling the BLM so they could protect it, or, say, taking a picture of how a rancher's disregard for stream quality with his cattle might be adding E. coli to the water on Forest Service lands and giving it to the EPA - with a giant, raised middle finger and a GO TO JAIL card.
posted by barchan at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
That's in wild contrast to the recently adopted symbol by the Wyoming legislature, its reaction to the collection of data by "citizen scientists" on ANY open land (private, state, or federal) that they might give to the Federal government - like, oh, my discovering new dinosaur bones on BLM land and telling the BLM so they could protect it, or, say, taking a picture of how a rancher's disregard for stream quality with his cattle might be adding E. coli to the water on Forest Service lands and giving it to the EPA - with a giant, raised middle finger and a GO TO JAIL card.
posted by barchan at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
The US is a nation of square dancers. Square dance is the official dance or folk dance in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
posted by peeedro at 12:41 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by peeedro at 12:41 PM on May 21, 2015
The Maryland State Sport is jousting
Oh, is that the official name for "Going 10 Under in the Passing Lane"? Silly me.
posted by a halcyon day at 12:42 PM on May 21, 2015
Oh, is that the official name for "Going 10 Under in the Passing Lane"? Silly me.
posted by a halcyon day at 12:42 PM on May 21, 2015
Ohio's official state rock song is the same one that it's been since 1985 -- "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys -- which is an absolute stone-cold atrocity when you consider that at basically any point in the last 22 years they could've changed it to "Cannonball" by Dayton's own The Breeders, thereby saving a whole generation of pep band kids from ever having to learn "Sloopy". Don't do it for the Deal sisters. Do it for the kids.
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:46 PM on May 21, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:46 PM on May 21, 2015 [7 favorites]
If you're gonna live in this country, learn to square dance already!
posted by General Tonic at 12:48 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by General Tonic at 12:48 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Almost everyone's Official State Beverage is milk
South Carolina has neatly side-stepped this problem by appointing iced tea (not Ice-T) the Official State Hospitality Beverage. In the event that milk is not able to perform its duties, iced tea will be there to take over.
Missing from the SC list, tho, are a few more symbols which visitors may enjoy learning about:
Official Fossil: Strom Thurmond.
Official Trainwreck: T-Rav.
Official Catchphrase: "Hiking the Appalachian Trail."
"Carolina" and "South Carolina On My Mind" are still the two state songs despite my decades long campaign to make the state song "O Carolina."
posted by octobersurprise at 12:49 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
South Carolina has neatly side-stepped this problem by appointing iced tea (not Ice-T) the Official State Hospitality Beverage. In the event that milk is not able to perform its duties, iced tea will be there to take over.
Missing from the SC list, tho, are a few more symbols which visitors may enjoy learning about:
Official Fossil: Strom Thurmond.
Official Trainwreck: T-Rav.
Official Catchphrase: "Hiking the Appalachian Trail."
"Carolina" and "South Carolina On My Mind" are still the two state songs despite my decades long campaign to make the state song "O Carolina."
posted by octobersurprise at 12:49 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Bulgaroktonos: "North Carolina also has an official state toast (like a drinking toast) which I love. I know it by heart, presumably I had to learn it for school, but in my head I always hear with Charles Kuralt's voice."
Carl Kasell or gtfo. Do we have an Official State Sonorous Newsman?
posted by Rock Steady at 12:50 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Carl Kasell or gtfo. Do we have an Official State Sonorous Newsman?
posted by Rock Steady at 12:50 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
I read that Kentucky’s State Arboretum is Bernheim Arboretum and Forest. “But what about the UK Arbore...—oh.” Kentucky’s State Botanical Garden is the University of Kentucky Arboretum.
Arboretum Wars: possible Parks and Rec spinoff?
(The state flower is goldenrod, which certainly explains the pollen levels.)
posted by a fiendish thingy at 12:51 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Arboretum Wars: possible Parks and Rec spinoff?
(The state flower is goldenrod, which certainly explains the pollen levels.)
posted by a fiendish thingy at 12:51 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
General Tonic: "...the official state blue berry (blueberries)...
Ha! Take that, huckleberries!"
One might say that North Carolina is not a huckleberry friend.
posted by exogenous at 1:00 PM on May 21, 2015
Ha! Take that, huckleberries!"
One might say that North Carolina is not a huckleberry friend.
posted by exogenous at 1:00 PM on May 21, 2015
I'd like to hear the story of how you came to know what that tastes like!
Second half of the 90's were pretty rough for the old winerino.
On topic, Road Runner by the Modern Lovers as the official song of the commonwealth has been hanging fire in the state senate since 2013, let's get off the stick.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:07 PM on May 21, 2015 [5 favorites]
Second half of the 90's were pretty rough for the old winerino.
On topic, Road Runner by the Modern Lovers as the official song of the commonwealth has been hanging fire in the state senate since 2013, let's get off the stick.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:07 PM on May 21, 2015 [5 favorites]
That's a crime that North Carolina's state beverage is milk. Any fool that has spent more than five minutes in this state knows it should be Sweet Tea. You could make a case for Cheerwine too.
Whereas the South Carolina state beverage is mustard-based.
posted by Sys Rq at 1:29 PM on May 21, 2015 [8 favorites]
Whereas the South Carolina state beverage is mustard-based.
posted by Sys Rq at 1:29 PM on May 21, 2015 [8 favorites]
ROADRUNNER 2024
posted by maryr at 1:32 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by maryr at 1:32 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
Fuck you, IOC
posted by maryr at 1:32 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by maryr at 1:32 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
On topic, Road Runner by the Modern Lovers as the official song of the commonwealth has been hanging fire in the state senate since 2013, let's get off the stick.
Official rock song. I am annoyed this has not happened yet.
My girlfriend picked up a coloring book for children when she was touring the MA state house the other week and she was appalled to discover that Massachusetts has a state dog (boston terrier), state cat (tabby) and a state horse (Morgan horses, whatever those are!) You're invited to connect them all to the appropriate object on one of the later pages and then color everything in, but I haven't busted out the crayons yet.
posted by dismas at 1:38 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Official rock song. I am annoyed this has not happened yet.
My girlfriend picked up a coloring book for children when she was touring the MA state house the other week and she was appalled to discover that Massachusetts has a state dog (boston terrier), state cat (tabby) and a state horse (Morgan horses, whatever those are!) You're invited to connect them all to the appropriate object on one of the later pages and then color everything in, but I haven't busted out the crayons yet.
posted by dismas at 1:38 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
seriously marty walsh quit with the olympics bullshit and make THIS your priority with the legislature
(okay fix the T first)
posted by dismas at 1:42 PM on May 21, 2015
(okay fix the T first)
posted by dismas at 1:42 PM on May 21, 2015
But why does Delaware even HAVE an Official State Macroinvertebrate?
Why do other states not, that is the real question.
posted by jeather at 1:53 PM on May 21, 2015 [8 favorites]
Why do other states not, that is the real question.
posted by jeather at 1:53 PM on May 21, 2015 [8 favorites]
I was about to be mad about clogging as the state dance of North Carolina, but then I realized that it is the state folk dance, and that the shag is appropriately the state popular dance.
(British people, commence snickering.)
posted by oakroom at 1:57 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
(British people, commence snickering.)
posted by oakroom at 1:57 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Official State State of California is California. The Official State State of Tennessee is Tennessee. The Official State State of Florida is denial.
posted by ckape at 2:01 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by ckape at 2:01 PM on May 21, 2015
Apparently the state residents of New York are....residents of New York.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:04 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:04 PM on May 21, 2015
(you have to scroll down a bit in that link, it's between State Reptile (snapping turtle) and State Saltwater Fish (striped bass).)
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:05 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:05 PM on May 21, 2015
"What's the state song of Tennessee?"
"Take your pick - there are 13 of them."
I honestly don't understand how that works.
posted by komara at 2:12 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
"Take your pick - there are 13 of them."
I honestly don't understand how that works.
posted by komara at 2:12 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Missouri's state fossil is "fossilized remains of Crinoidea" and its state lithologic emblem is mozarkite.
Its official tree nut is from the Eastern black walnut, which we have in our back yard and it's an annoying pest. Juglone from the tree kills off many plants that we might have wanted to grow in a garden. The walnuts -- nearly always rotten -- are deadly missiles when a lawnmower finds them, tripping hazards when feet do, and nasty dog toys that occasionally get brought into the house.
posted by Foosnark at 2:26 PM on May 21, 2015
Its official tree nut is from the Eastern black walnut, which we have in our back yard and it's an annoying pest. Juglone from the tree kills off many plants that we might have wanted to grow in a garden. The walnuts -- nearly always rotten -- are deadly missiles when a lawnmower finds them, tripping hazards when feet do, and nasty dog toys that occasionally get brought into the house.
posted by Foosnark at 2:26 PM on May 21, 2015
Oh, is that the official name for "Going 10 Under in the Passing Lane"? Silly me.
This is called an Iowan Hostage Taking, because they have perfected it there.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 2:33 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is called an Iowan Hostage Taking, because they have perfected it there.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 2:33 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Official marine mammal of Iowa: the blue whale
Official movie character of North Dakota: Bill and Ted (yes, both of them)
Official emotion of Arizona: malaise
Official day of West Virginia: Tuesday
Official apocalypse of Alabama: plague of locusts
Official Bessel Function of Illinois: Y1
Official conspiracy theory of Idaho: lizard people
Official sibling of Georgia: cousin-in-law
posted by backseatpilot at 2:39 PM on May 21, 2015 [7 favorites]
Official movie character of North Dakota: Bill and Ted (yes, both of them)
Official emotion of Arizona: malaise
Official day of West Virginia: Tuesday
Official apocalypse of Alabama: plague of locusts
Official Bessel Function of Illinois: Y1
Official conspiracy theory of Idaho: lizard people
Official sibling of Georgia: cousin-in-law
posted by backseatpilot at 2:39 PM on May 21, 2015 [7 favorites]
Florida:
State Animal: Florida Panther. Good choice. Beautiful, rare animal.
State Marine Mammal: Manatee. OK. Also beautiful and rare. I'll take it.
State Reptile: Aligator. Sure, sure. A fine choice, if a bit cliched. I'd also consider the lesser-known but quite lovely Gopher Tortoise or Loggerhead Turtle.
State Tortoise: Gopher Tortoise. Ah. I see how this works. Good, good.
State Saltwater Reptile: OK, I guess I can't complain.
State Saltwater Fish: Atlantic Sailfish. Absolutely gorgeous. So far so good.
State Saltwater Mammal: Dolphin. Well, that's playing it pretty safe. Everyone loves dolphins.
State Fruit: Orange. Rather predictable, really, but sure, why not.
State Beverage: Orange Juice. Really? I'd go with the Mojito. We just did our give-away to the citrus industry with the State Fruit. But, fuck it. OJ it is.
State Flower: Orange Blossom. OH COME ON!
State Pie: Key Lime Pie. Not a huge fan personally, but certainly appropriate because key limes are quite Floridian.
State Bird: Mockingbird. Goddamnit who comes up with this shit? Mockingbirds are horrible aggressive pointy-beaked shitbirds that no one likes!
posted by Cookiebastard at 2:50 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
State Animal: Florida Panther. Good choice. Beautiful, rare animal.
State Marine Mammal: Manatee. OK. Also beautiful and rare. I'll take it.
State Reptile: Aligator. Sure, sure. A fine choice, if a bit cliched. I'd also consider the lesser-known but quite lovely Gopher Tortoise or Loggerhead Turtle.
State Tortoise: Gopher Tortoise. Ah. I see how this works. Good, good.
State Saltwater Reptile: OK, I guess I can't complain.
State Saltwater Fish: Atlantic Sailfish. Absolutely gorgeous. So far so good.
State Saltwater Mammal: Dolphin. Well, that's playing it pretty safe. Everyone loves dolphins.
State Fruit: Orange. Rather predictable, really, but sure, why not.
State Beverage: Orange Juice. Really? I'd go with the Mojito. We just did our give-away to the citrus industry with the State Fruit. But, fuck it. OJ it is.
State Flower: Orange Blossom. OH COME ON!
State Pie: Key Lime Pie. Not a huge fan personally, but certainly appropriate because key limes are quite Floridian.
State Bird: Mockingbird. Goddamnit who comes up with this shit? Mockingbirds are horrible aggressive pointy-beaked shitbirds that no one likes!
posted by Cookiebastard at 2:50 PM on May 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
I am not a fan of guns as a general rule but, man, that Colt Army Revolver. What a beauty.
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:53 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:53 PM on May 21, 2015
KIM DEAL IMA LET YOU FINISH BUT DEVO HAD THE BEST OHIO STATE SONG
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:12 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:12 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cookiebastard my state's Official State Grass is the Bluebunch Wheatgrass. We just legalized marijuana, though, so maybe that will change.
posted by KathrynT at 3:13 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by KathrynT at 3:13 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
see also, why most of 'Muricans are having to deal with the WRONG STATE BIRDS. western meadowlark my left one
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:19 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:19 PM on May 21, 2015
State sex positions sadly not official.
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:22 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:22 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Y'all are going to make me go get out my copy of State by State With The State. Luckily it is at home or I'd start posting bits from it.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 3:28 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 3:28 PM on May 21, 2015
WHAT? Just yesterday, I was chastised for arguing with some blue jays who think they own the place around here, and somebody said I had to be nice to them because they're the state bird, and I JUST FOUND OUT THAT WAS A LIE. They are not the state bird! The state bird is the "lark bunting," with which I have no beef.
BRB gonna go tell some blue jays what's what.
posted by ernielundquist at 3:32 PM on May 21, 2015 [11 favorites]
BRB gonna go tell some blue jays what's what.
posted by ernielundquist at 3:32 PM on May 21, 2015 [11 favorites]
see also, why most of 'Muricans are having to deal with the WRONG STATE BIRDS. western meadowlark my left one
This is worthy of a post all its own. Seriously fuck the cardinal
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:33 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is worthy of a post all its own. Seriously fuck the cardinal
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:33 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Maine's unofficial state beverage is Allen's Coffee Brandy. Sells out along with milk when a big snow is predicted. Not bad with milk, actually, but coffee liqueur and egg nog on crushed ice is my personal Official Drink of the Thanksgiving to Christmas Season.
posted by theora55 at 3:35 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 3:35 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
oh i also learned from the coloring book that the official state drink of Massachusetts is cranberry juice! or maybe blood, they just said to color the official state drink red
posted by dismas at 5:22 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dismas at 5:22 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is worthy of a post all its own.
We had one on it already. I seem to recall a fair bit of input from rtha and other ornithologically relevant usernames.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:34 PM on May 21, 2015
We had one on it already. I seem to recall a fair bit of input from rtha and other ornithologically relevant usernames.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:34 PM on May 21, 2015
I've tried to find the Official Anything in the UK, but we don't seem to have much beyond top 40 charts and tourist guides. Should we overthrow the monarchy?
posted by Devonian at 5:58 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by Devonian at 5:58 PM on May 21, 2015
No! They are too much fun to gawk at!
posted by ocherdraco at 6:16 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by ocherdraco at 6:16 PM on May 21, 2015
The thing about the British monarchy reminds me to ask, are there any official state reality TV shows?
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:21 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:21 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
oh thank you ocherdraco. I was starting to think that I had hallucinated that thread.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 6:31 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 6:31 PM on May 21, 2015
Part of the reason Roadrunner hasn't been made official rock song of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts yet is because some grumpy legislators decided they'd rather have "Dream On" by Aerosmith represent the state, even though it wasn't written here and, unlike Roadrunner, says absolutely nothing about Massachusetts.
Also, its main backer, state Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester), had his attention diverted by getting elected mayor of Boston (taking with him Joyce Linehan, the local rock promoter and political organizer who came up with the idea in the first place).
posted by adamg at 7:35 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, its main backer, state Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester), had his attention diverted by getting elected mayor of Boston (taking with him Joyce Linehan, the local rock promoter and political organizer who came up with the idea in the first place).
posted by adamg at 7:35 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
I voted in the election for the Illinois state animal in 1980. (We got to do it in school, and there were little voting booths and everything.) The white-tailed deer won (by a landslide, if I remember correctly). I didn't vote for it - I think I voted for the raccoon or the red fox.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:21 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by SisterHavana at 8:21 PM on May 21, 2015
Could the Robin be swaped for a Buick as state bird?
Ted Nugent could replace The Wolverine.
Madonna for state motto.
Ann Arbor for state rock.
Faygo state beverage.
And Beets, lotsa beets.
posted by clavdivs at 9:21 PM on May 21, 2015
Ted Nugent could replace The Wolverine.
Madonna for state motto.
Ann Arbor for state rock.
Faygo state beverage.
And Beets, lotsa beets.
posted by clavdivs at 9:21 PM on May 21, 2015
The Official State Category of New York is "other"
posted by LogicalDash at 4:01 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by LogicalDash at 4:01 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
The state inventor of Massachusetts is Ben Franklin.
Did they miss the part where he ran away to Philadelphia at seventeen?
posted by madcaptenor at 4:47 AM on May 22, 2015
Did they miss the part where he ran away to Philadelphia at seventeen?
posted by madcaptenor at 4:47 AM on May 22, 2015
Almost everyone's Official State Beverage is milk
In Rhode Island, it's coffee milk, thank you very much.
posted by jammy at 5:42 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
In Rhode Island, it's coffee milk, thank you very much.
posted by jammy at 5:42 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
A lot of these are proposed by school kids, youth groups and civics organizations as an educational exercise on how legislation is proposed, drafted and voted on, and how citizens can and should be involved with it. Silly in some cases, but not a bad thing in the aggregate.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:02 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:02 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
KIM DEAL IMA LET YOU FINISH BUT DEVO HAD THE BEST OHIO STATE SONG
Don't get me wrong, I'd considered putting a Devo song out there, but thought that I might be able to get a broader base of popular support with The Breeders. In any case, "Ohio" doesn't work because it's a Neil Young cover, and he's not even American, let alone Ohioan.
But I would pay some serious cash money to hear "Auto Modown" (down in Youngstown...) played at a high school football game.
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:20 AM on May 22, 2015
Don't get me wrong, I'd considered putting a Devo song out there, but thought that I might be able to get a broader base of popular support with The Breeders. In any case, "Ohio" doesn't work because it's a Neil Young cover, and he's not even American, let alone Ohioan.
But I would pay some serious cash money to hear "Auto Modown" (down in Youngstown...) played at a high school football game.
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:20 AM on May 22, 2015
Y'know what's worse than being a denizen of the kingdom of the blind ruled by the one-eyed man?
A scotch drinker in the land of bourbon.
posted by eclectist at 9:28 AM on May 22, 2015
A scotch drinker in the land of bourbon.
posted by eclectist at 9:28 AM on May 22, 2015
Maine's unofficial state beverage is Allen's Coffee Brandy. Sells out along with milk when a big snow is predicted. Not bad with milk, actually, but coffee liqueur and egg nog on crushed ice is my personal Official Drink of the Thanksgiving to Christmas Season
I'd once again like to note that I have a bottle of coffee brandy that someone open to taste at my housewarming that has not been touched since and I would be HAPPY to give it to ANYONE willing to come pick it up. I am serious. MeMail me.
posted by maryr at 11:09 AM on May 22, 2015
I'd once again like to note that I have a bottle of coffee brandy that someone open to taste at my housewarming that has not been touched since and I would be HAPPY to give it to ANYONE willing to come pick it up. I am serious. MeMail me.
posted by maryr at 11:09 AM on May 22, 2015
Michigans new motto.
"We had a to lose a war with Ohio to enter the Union"
posted by clavdivs at 5:34 PM on May 22, 2015
"We had a to lose a war with Ohio to enter the Union"
posted by clavdivs at 5:34 PM on May 22, 2015
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posted by corb at 12:04 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]