Hoosiers is a term for Indiana residents, popularized by the 1986 film “Hoosiers”. Its origin is debated, with theories including a derogatory term for awkward people and a Saxon word for hills. Other theories include river boxers, construction workers, Native American words, and slurring of border lines. The term first appeared in print in 1833 and remains linked to Indiana.
Hoosiers is a term used to refer to residents of the state of Indiana, further popularized by the award-winning 1986 basketball film “Hoosiers”. The term, however, has been in use since the early 1800s; it was then that Indiana began using the moniker The Hoosier State. Despite its popularity, the origin of the term Hoosiers has always been a matter of debate, its etymology enriched by several wild and fascinating theories.
According to Jeffrey Graf, a librarian at Indiana University, the word Hoosier most likely originated as a derogatory term in the upland South—including states like North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia—used for an awkward person. and ungainly of low economic status, not unlike the terms cracker, redneck, hick, and white trash. From there, Hoosier moved to the Ohio Valley region, where it was used for southern Indiana people who were assumed to be rough in manners and appearance. Eventually, the term expanded to the entire state and lost its original derogatory meaning.
Another notable theory came from Jacob Piatt Dunn, a historian specializing in Indiana history. He suggested that the word Hoosier can trace its origins to the Saxon word “hoo.” It was used for cliffs, ridges, hills or a rock elevation and was believed to still be used in England. In fact, such a theory gave rise to the idea that Hoosier came from southern highland people because they were largely of British descent.
There are several other theories, albeit minor ones. Indiana river boxers became known as “hushers” because they were extremely successful in silencing their enemies with fisticuffs. The construction workers in charge of the Louisville and Portland Canal in Louisville, Kentucky were called “Hoosier’s Men” by their supervisor, Samuel Hoosier. “Hoosa” was a Native American word for corn, “Hoose” was an English term for a disease of cattle, and “Hussar” was a term for light cavalry of Serbian origin widely used in Europe and Latin America during the 19th century . There is also the proclamation “Huzzah!” uttered after claiming victory in a fight.
Of all the theories that exist for the origin of Hoosiers, however, one of the funniest is the slurring of border lines. Someone attempting to identify an approaching visitor from afar in the old days would usually shout “Who’s there?” which finally sounded like “Who’s here?” Because of this bad word, these country folk came to be known as Hoosiers. Another hilarious explanation came from Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, who joked that brawls in Indiana involved so much biting and ear-slicing that the phrase “Whose ear?” become commonplace.
Whatever its origin, Hoosiers first appeared in print in 1833 and the term stuck. From basketball teams and sports mascots to businesses, both within the state and beyond, the term is intrinsically linked to the state of Indiana. Despite the popularity of other state nicknames in the United States, arguably few can rival The Hoosier State.
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