Even when Ohioans travel to other states or countries, we’re pretty easy to spot. From diehard sports rivalries we’ll never let go of to strange pronunciations, some undeniable trademarks of those of us who live here may have folks from other states wondering, “What is weird about Ohio?”
Once you’ve lived in the Buckeye State long enough, it’s not hard to spot signs that you’re from Ohio. The following are just a few definite (and slightly strange) tip-offs that indicate if someone is from Ohio—and we’ll wholeheartedly deny their weirdness. Let’s see how many of these funny things about Ohio you are guilty of doing.
1. We Randomly Yell “O-H” and Anticipate an “I-O” Reply
Whether you’re at a sporting event, at the bar, or even just walking through your neighborhood, you’re bound to hear someone chant this iconic call and response—especially if one of our professional sports teams is winning at any given time. We love to connect with our fellow Ohioans, so even if we hear someone shout this while visiting another state, we can’t help but respond and share a smile or laugh. Ohioans just get each other.
2. We Spell Our State’s Name With Our Arms
Sure, this may seem kind of corny, but we can’t help it. We love posing and spelling out Ohio with our arms, so much so that we do it on our college campuses (go Buckeyes!) or even while on vacation in Cleveland, Cincinnati, or one of our many small, charming towns. Have someone snap a pic of you posing it up with friends and keep it on hand any time someone asks where you’re from. Try spelling out any other state with your arms… You just can’t.
3. We Avoid All Things Blue and Yellow
You’ll never catch an Ohioan donning yellow or blue at the local sports bar. (Goodness forbid someone thinks we’re a University of Michigan fan!) The only acceptable colors to wear around here are red and white for Ohio State or orange and brown for our pro football team, the one and only Cleveland Browns. Even our home decor, lawn signs, and personal items are devoid of yellow and blue—just to be safe.
4. Many of Us Say “Pop” Instead of “Soda”
You know what we mean when we say “pop,” so stop acting like we’re aliens from another planet. In fact, all different regions of the U.S. have a word to describe this sugary, fizzy drink—whether it’s cola, soda, or yes, pop. A survey by AllRecipes found that Pepsi is our number one favorite, but we can’t get enough of other locally-made brands like Bubble Up, a lemon-lime flavored pop that originated in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1919.
5. We Eat Lots of Shredded Cheese and Chili on Spaghetti
There’s a reason Skyline Chili, which originated in Cincinnati in 1949, is now a popular restaurant chain all over the country: it’s delicious. One of the greatest delicacies to come from this chain (and kitchens all over Ohio)? The spaghetti that’s topped with savory chili and a mountain of sharp cheddar cheese. What can we say, we dare to be different here in Ohio, and our taste buds thank us for that.
6. We Also Dip French Fries in Our Wendy’s Frostys
Another amazing food combination that we like to claim is French fries dipped in Frostys. We may not have invented it, but it’s a super popular way to combine salty and sweet around here. Natives might even argue we’ve been doing this since before it was cool or socially acceptable. There are about 393 Wendy’s locations across the entire state, meaning there’s plenty of opportunity to pick up this delicious snack. Grab a hamburger, too, and you’re set.
7. We Often Use AC and Heat on the Same Day
Don’t let Ohio’s four seasons fool you: There are plenty of spring and fall days where we have the heat going in the morning and the cool AC blasting by the afternoon. Those in-between seasons are the ones that typically cause major swings in temperature—i.e., the concept of four designated seasons is kind of a myth around here. Sure, we get a lot of snow in the wintertime, but our summers can get pretty steamy, too.
8. We Argue Over the Way That “Wash” Is Pronounced
Some of us pronounce it “warsh,” and others say “wash.” We can’t really decide who is correct on that one. Either way, it goes to show the variety of accents that prevail in the Buckeye State. We have our own special way of saying all sorts of words, but “warsh” is probably the best depiction of our dialect. It’s the perfect way to speak, in our opinion.
9. We Base Directions Off a Location’s Proximity to Major Cities
Any time you ask an Ohioan for directions, you’re sure to get a roundabout response. We don’t usually give directions based on street names or mileage. Rather, we base things on the location’s proximity to a major city and how long it’ll take to get there. “It’s an hour outside of Cleveland,” for example, will be the sort of answer you get from us. Another example would be “the beautiful Hocking Hills are about an hour outside of Columbus.” Trust us: You get used to this way of navigating after a while.
10. Buffalo Wild Wings Is “B-Dubs” to Us
Another fun example of our quirks: we shorten the names of popular eateries. Buffalo Wild Wings has always been simply “B-Dubs” to us, and there’s no particular explanation why. That’s just the way it is. Maybe it’s because the popular chain started here in Columbus, or maybe because there are so many locations around. Either way, it’s easier to nickname this popular chicken wing joint than to say it full-out every time.
11. Stores Like Meijer, Kroger, and JC Penney Are Referred to in Possessive Form
It’s “Meijer’s,” “Kroger’s,” and “JCPenney’s” here, and we don’t care if that’s wrong, because it just feels right to us. All are fairly popular grocery and department stores in Ohio, meaning you’ll often hear locals talk about “heading down to the Kroger’s” to pick up some snacks for game night, or hitting up “JCPenney’s” to take the kids back-to-school shopping. Fun fact: Kroger actually started in the heart of downtown Cincinnati.
12. We Make Fun of Ourselves (but Still Love It Here)
Ohioans have the epitome of a love/hate relationship with our state. We relentlessly make fun of Ohio while simultaneously claiming it’s the best state there is. It’s complicated, but that’s just one of the many quirky things about locals that make us stand out from the rest. Besides, what’s life without a little self-deprecating humor from time to time? We know how to have a good laugh here in Ohio—even if it’s at our expense.
What other unique things about Ohio did we miss? Are there any other quintessential Buckeye foods, local events, or attractions that could be added to this list? Discover more for yourself by taking a day trip or road trip across the state. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just visiting, you’re bound to learn something new, and Only In Your State’s itinerary planner can help you figure out where to go first…