Seriously, what is it?
It is not a marij nut, it is not a steelworker, and it certainly is not a Native American tribe. Maybe their mascot could clue us in? Well, they do not have one. Even IU's own players have no idea what a "Hoosier" is (seriously, watch BTN's interview with former IU LB Matt Mayberry this Saturday on their pregame show).
After the jump, we will attempt to find the true meaning of the most overused word in the state of Indiana.
Let us start with the ever reliable Wikipedia. It lists Hoosier as the official demonym for residents of the state of Indiana. (We will let you look up the word "demonym," us NU people already know what it means)
So, in other words, the Indiana Hoosiers could be called the Indiana Indianans? Well, good call using a synonymous nickname, but that is about as lazy and lame as the calling a team the Houston Texans (were they not allowed to re-use "Oilers?" I guess that city does not have much else going for it other then a pretty kickass Rice football halftime show). Seriously, there is nothing else-- in the whole state of Indiana-- that they could have drawn from for a nickname? Wait... don't answer that.
I still feel like we are only getting half the story here. Ok, a Hoosier is "technically" a resident of Indiana, but what is it really? What does the word mean?
According to, again, the always-reliable Wikipedia, the official origin of the word Hoosier is unknown. Sounds about right. It lists some possible explanations involving hills and/or some methodist preacher, my favorite is "pugilistic boatmen."
Here's an explanation of "Hoosier" from funcityfinder. (I know, I know, "Fun City" and any location in Indiana... not necessarily a combination)
The nickname is thought to be one of a variety of terms used from
state-to-state during the early 19th century. For example,
Pennsylvanians were called "Leatherheads," Alabamans were "Lizards,"
Nebraskans were "Bug Eaters," Texans were "Beetheads," and people from
Missouri were called "Pukes." These hilarious regional nicknames were
likely given out of rivalry from surrounding states. Instead of getting
upset, or erasing it from history, Hoosiers embraced the name and made
it their own, much like the American colonists adopted the name
"Yankees."
Well, first off, the American colonists could adopt the name "Yankees" because they beat the crap out of the British. Indiana adopting its derogatory nickname sounds like the nerd who pretends to laugh off and accept all the teasing and pretend not to hate it or care--believe me, us NU nerds know ALL about that... no matter how hard you try, they are not laughing with you, they are laughing at you.
Maybe a picture would help? A simple Google Image search turns up some weird tires, a bunch of shitty cabinets, and this fine young lady. Oh, and do not forget Terry and the Hoosier Thunder Elves!!
I think the most reliable definition comes from Urban Dictionary. The number one entry defines Hoosier as:
White trash of the worst kind. Also used as an adjective to describe anything several notches below your own perceived sophistication.
By contrast, check out their definition of "Wildcat." Yup. That's us.
Filed under: General
Tags: football, Hoosier, Indiana, northwestern
Look up Daniel Hoosier.
I mean Samuel