Date: Mon, 6 Oct 1997 14:00:44 -0500

From: Mark Mandel Mark[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]DRAGONSYS.COM

Subject: "Hoosier"



This appeared in LINGUIST List 8-1423. Now, while I know we've

discussed this question here fairly recently, I don't remember what

was said, or even when (so that I could download the archive for

that month). Anyone care to advise or enlighten this individual?

(Please reply to them, not to me.)



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Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 21:30:04 -0400 (EDT)

From: TLTBosse TLTBosse[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]aol.com

Subject: Hoosier





As a native Hoosier, I've often wondered about the true origin of the word.

The most realistic, although unverifiable, explanation I've heard is as

follows:



In the early 19th century, a mill located in Southern Indiana was owned by a

man whose last name was, or sounded like "Hoosier". The employees of the

mill owner were known as "Hoosier's men", and as they all lived and worked

north of the Ohio River, the label "Hoosier" began to be applied to all

Americans living in what would eventually become the state of Indiana.