8 Surefire Signs You Have Strong Roots In Illinois

There are a few definite ways to spot a true Illinoisan. I was born here and have lived here for more than 30 years, and it’s always affirming to talk to someone who knows exactly what you mean when it comes to the Land of Lincoln. Though some may find miles and miles of cornfields boring, we can see the beauty in it (and we have the greatest sweet corn on the planet) — and we also have Chicago, a city second-to-none. If you’re proud to show off your roots in Illinois, some state-specific gear from Wear Your Roots may be exactly what your wardrobe needs. Check out the list below and see how many of these Illinoisisms apply to you!

Ken Lund/Flickr

While it's acceptable to add an "S" to things like Jewels and Meijers, saying the "S" in Illinois is a sure way to spot someone from out of state. We would never say that.

Elke/Pixabay

Northern Illinoisans call those fizzy, sugary, canned beverages "pop," while other parts of Illinois call it "soda." What we can all agree on is that it's not all Coke (looking at you, southerners).

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Jennifer Lamb/Flickr

We may have four distinct seasons, but the one that lasts throughout the entire year is road construction. It seems to go on forever with no end in sight and the streets are still filled with crater-like potholes.

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janeb13/Pixabay

Speaking of weather, whether it's tornado season or the next Snowmageddon, we Illinoisans are so used to extreme weather we hardly bat an eye. Shorts in the 10-degree winter? Not unusual at all.

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Tony Webster from San Francisco, California, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In fact, we're so used to extreme weather that the sound of a tornado siren is just a casual Tuesday morning for most of us. Where I live, the trusty siren sounds each week at 10 a.m.

Hans Deragon (hans@deragon.biz, User:Deragon), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

There's nothing worse than getting stuck behind a tractor — and in the corn-filled Prairie State, it happens A LOT.

Hyena, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The vast majority of Illinois is covered in corn, and many of us have had the rite of passage of learning to detassle it. Real ones also know that roadside stands are the best place to buy it.

Stu/Flickr

That big shiny thing in downtown Chicago is technically called Cloud Gate, but everyone knows to actually call it "The Bean." So if someone asks you to go take a picture by The Bean, it has nothing to do with food.

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Wear Your Roots

Though this state may not be for everyone, I’m proud to have roots in Illinois. We have hot summers with fireworks, ice cream, and fish fries. Our falls showcase stunning foliage, and we love to camp. In the winter, we sled, cozy up in cabins, and embark on all sorts of cold-weather adventures. And at the first sight of spring, we leap to work in the garden. Our state has amazing food and even better people. What other Illinois-isms can you think of?

And if you decide to show off your Illinois pride with Wear Your Roots, make sure to use coupon code Illinois10 for 10% off!