Michigander

English

Etymology

First used in reference to Lewis Cass

Attributed to Abraham Lincoln, in a speech of July 27, 1848, as pejorative reference to Lewis Cass, Michigan politician:

There is one entire article of the sort I have not discussed yet; I mean the military tale you Democrats are now engaged in dovetailing onto the great Michigander.

Ostensibly coined as a blend of Michigan +‎ gander (“male goose, simpleton”) (punning on “tale” and “(dove)tail(ing)”). Alternatively from and/or later reanalyzed as Michigan + -d- (epenthetic) +‎ -er (“resident of”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈmɪ.ʃəˌɡæn.dɚ]

Noun

Michigander (plural Michiganders)

1. (US) A native or resident of the state of Michigan in the United States of America.
2. (uncommon, humorous) In particular, a man from Michigan, contrasted with a Michigoose (“woman from Michigan”).
   • 1916, Moderator-topics, volume 36, page 165:

     Where is the little Michigander or Michigoose who is plugging along, so contentedly ensconced in his bi-valve surroundings as not to be touched by even an echo of the great state meeting of his profession?

   • 1982, Michigan Natural Resources Magazine, volumes 51-52, page 77:

     From Dale E. Pasco of Owosso: "My parents were both one room school teachers and they taught it this way: I'm a Michigander, my wife is a Michigoose, our kids are Michigoslins, so what is the use."

Usage notes

• A preferred but not a universal endonym for residents of Michigan. A 2011 poll of Michigan residents found 58% preferred "Michigander", 12% preferred "Michiganian", 12% had no preference, and 11% did not like either term. However, the US Government Printing Office Style Manual prescribes "Michiganian".

Synonyms

• Michiganian
• Michiganer

Hypernyms

• American

Hyponyms

• Yooper
• Troll
• (unisex Michiganer): Michigoose (female Michiganer)

Coordinate terms

• (male Michiganer): Michigoose (female Michiganer)

Derived terms

• Michigoose

Translations

person

• Finnish: michiganilainen

Further reading

• Michigander on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• minicharged