I have been a Kentuckian, Ohioan, Californian, Illinoisan, Indianan, Floridian, and – perhaps most peculiarly – a Michigander. One thing I have never been is sure why so many different suffixes are needed to say the same thing: “A person from the state of __________.”
The first several states mentioned above might sound like they share the same suffix rule, but on closer inspection, they are all over the map.
• A person from California or Indiana need simply add –n to become a Californian or Indianan.
• People from Ohio must add two letters (–an) to designate from where they originate.
• Those from Florida or Kentucky have to remove the last letter of their states’ names and then add three letters (–ian) to become a resident. •
• And then we have Michiganders? We can thank Abraham Lincoln for that name. It was originally his insult of a political foe from the mitten state — a gander being the male version of a goose, as in silly goose. Perhaps because it makes them unique, people once known as Michiganians have embraced the change to Michigander; in a recent poll, 58 percent say gander is good.
I’ve never lived in Maryland, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont. But if I had, I would have an easy time naming my people – just add an –er to transition from state to resident. I’ve also steered clear of New Jersey and Wisconsin, both of which require an –ite to turn their states into residents. And I admit to double-taking the last few letters of the word for someone from New Hampshire – a New Hampshirite.
Kansas, Texas, and Arkansas are outliers: To create the resident, you remove the final -s, but instead of affixing long suffixes, you replace the –s with an –n. Howdy, Texan.
And then you have the Impossible Two: Connecticut and Massachusetts. These states invite creative suffixes: Connecticutions. Massachists. Officially, there are no single words to refer to people from these two geographically small but linguistically expansive states. I suggest calling them “the good people of Connecticut and Massachusetts” – or just lump them together and use New Englander.
Neil Chethik, aka the Grammar Gourmet, is executive director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning (www.carnegiecenterlex.org) and author of “FatherLoss” and “VoiceMale.” The Carnegie Center offers writing classes and seminars for businesses and individuals. Contact Chethik at neil@carnegiecenterlex.org or 859-254-4175.