17 Ways You Can Always Spot Someone From Ohio... No Matter Where They Are
By April Dray|Updated on August 04, 2020(Originally published July 19, 2020)
×
April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
People from Ohio are a unique breed, and we’re truly a group of individuals like no other. Even when Ohioans travel to other states or countries, we’re pretty easy to spot. The following are just a few definite tip-offs that indicate if someone is from Ohio.
Because, in Ohio, the concept of "weather" is essentially a synonym for terms such as "mystery" and "wildcard." We could easily experience all four seasons in a day.
2. They are genuinely confused when you tell them they have an accent.
Believe it or not, there is a linguistic term called the Northern Cities Vowel Shift. Once upon a time, cities around the Great Lakes region began pronouncing short and broad as (such as trap and spa, respectively) with the introduction of a y sound. So trap in local vernaculars throughout chunks of Ohio sounds more like tray-up. Crazy, right?!
Advertisement
3. They appear to experience physical, mental and emotional difficulty saying, writing or using the word “Michigan.”
According to legend, this rivalry can be traced back to the tensions of the Toledo War... the series of events that led to the current Ohio-Michigan border.
Advertisement
4. You notice they have quite the skill when it comes to dodging potholes on the road.
They successfully dodge the deer on the road that literally came out of nowhere as if they’re just sitting on the couch playing Mario Kart while you’re sitting in the passenger seat having what you think might be a heart attack.
11. They never really seem to need anything exotic, fancy or flashy to have a good time. Give them a cornhole game, bonfire or a day at the local lake and they’re good.
Ohio is full of ice cream joints, which is particularly refreshing in the summertime. Many communities have several ice cream shops within just one city!
13. When you’re watching Marvel's The Avengers, A Christmas Story, and Spider-Man 3, you can’t get your Ohio friends to stop talking and pointing out city landmarks like they personally directed the film or something.
(If you've been wondering, Ohioans call vacuums sweepers. It's okay to ask for clarification... we know some of our regional words strike you as weird.)
16. They’re visibly bummed when you tell them there isn’t a local, weekly farmers market in your area.
In Ohio, we have markets all year long. Some, like Findlay Market in Cincy and the West Side Market in Cleveland, have been connecting locals with fresh produce for generations.
17. When you ask them to tell you about what it’s like to live in Ohio they will give you a mix of thoughts and emotions.
First, they will jokingly make fun of their state. Second, they will tell you where they’d like to move. And lastly, they will tell you why they love their state and why they wouldn’t actually move away in spite of the genuine craziness that is Ohio.
What other ways are there to tell if someone is from Ohio? Is there anything that people from Ohio do that strikes you as weird? Tell us in the comments!
Does learning about Ohio culture surprise you? You might be surprised to learn that the modern traffic light, hot dog, and Life Savers candy are all inventions from Ohio.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
People From Ohio
Nikki Rhoades|August 02, 2020
What are people from Ohio known for?
Here in Ohio, buckeyes are considered good luck, the OSU vs. Michigan game is pretty much a universal holiday, and guessing which season the weather is going to mimic are all local pastimes.
What unique words and phrases do people in Ohio say?
In Ohio, "The Jake" isn't a person. BW3 is a restaurant you know as Buffalo Wild Wings, and that funny strip of lawn in front of your yard is a tree lawn or devil's strip. There are all sorts of odd words and phrases in Ohio!
What are the best things about living in Ohio?
Ohio is a magical place to call home, thanks to a stunning landscape, all sorts of places of interest, and endless opportunities for fun. However, the absolute best thing about living in Ohio is the people you'll get to call your neighbors.
