MICHIGAN, USA — The debate over what people from Michigan are called has been going on as long as anyone can remember.
Are we Michiganders or are we Michiganians?
While there is no clear consensus on the matter, both the Michigan Legislature and the Federal Government have their opinions.
In 2017, the Michigan Legislature officially defined a resident of the State of Michigan as "Michigander," in a rare unanimous vote in both the Senate and the House.
The Federal Government officially refers to people from Michigan as "Michiganians," according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual. The style manual is updated every eight years and is due for an update this year, making a change to "Michigander" possible.
In a 2011 poll by Resch Strategies by Marketing Resource Group, people in Michigan were asked if they prefer "Michigander" or "Michiganian." The results resoundingly showed that "Michigander" was the preferred term with 58 percent of pollsters backing that term.
"Michiganian" only earned 12 percent of the vote, while no preference and not caring for either term earned another 23 percent of the vote.
The Abraham Lincoln Connection
There is one historical figure that is commonly credited with the first known use of "Michigander" and his historical clout just might tip the scales in the debate for some.
In 1848 on this exact day, May 29, then Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln used the term "Michigander" in a speech aimed at insulting Democratic Michigan Governor Lewis Cass, who was running for president.
“Like a horde of hungry ticks you have stuck to the tail of the Hermitage lion [Jackson] to the end of his life,” Lincoln said, “and you are still sticking to it, and drawing a loathsome sustenance from it, after he is dead. … But in my hurry I was very near closing on the subject of military tails before I was done with it. There is one entire article of the sort I have not discussed yet; I mean the military tail you Democrats are now engaged in dovetailing onto the great Michigander," Lincoln said in his speech, according to University of Michigan Professor Richard W. Bailey.
But despite Lincoln commonly being credited with the term, there is evidence of "Michigander" appearing in print dating back to 1820, 1838 and 1839 in volume two of the Joint Documents of the State of Michigan. It could be said that Lincoln instead popularized the term nationwide while the previous instances were from local print organizations inside the state.
While the term "Michigander" may have earned some negative connotation to it in Lincoln's speech, the term would slowly gain in popularity over the already established term, "Michiganian."
Wait, so that means that the term "Michiganian" came before "Michigander?"
The Origin of "Michiganian"
Lincoln is credited with the first known use of "Michigander," but the term "Michiganian" dates back even further into the 19th century.
The Oxford English Dictionary credits the first use of "Michiganian" to an 1813 publication of the Niles' Register.
"Michiganian" would become the preferred reference to people who live in Michigan for over 100 years, but in more recent times "Michigander" has become the preferred term.
Which do you Prefer?
Now that you know the history behind the two terms, which do you prefer? Would you rather call yourself a "Michigander" or a "Michiganian?" Vote in our poll below and let us know what you think! View the results of the poll here.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.
