Michiganders Say What Makes A Michigander, A Michigander

Michiganders have many unique characteristics, including regional accents. Here's what they say makes someone a true Michigander.

Growing up in Michigan, it wasn't until I was older that I noticed most Michiganders have "The Michigan" accent. It took traveling to other states and living in Indiana for 18 years to tell.

What's a Michigander?

A Michigander is a native resident of Michigan, but there are other demonyms, including Michiganian, Michiganer, Michiganite, Michiganese, Michigine, and Michigoose. These have changed over the years, but Michigander is the one that has risen to the top.

It was Abraham Lincoln who popularized the term 'Michigander' in a speech where he used it to describe Michigan Governor Lewis Cass. Michigander has become the common and widely accepted term for a person from Michigan.

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Michiganders themselves have thoughts on what makes a resident a Michigander.

What Really Makes A True Michigander? Locals Sound Off

The residents of Michigan recently took to Reddit to discuss what makes Michiganders, well, Michiganders. Locals shared spot-on insights about what defines a true Michigander.

There have been so many times when I have explained where something in Michigan is located by whipping out my hand map.

I am with this poster on adding an 's' to Meijer, except I think I even did it as a teen.

With two major colleges, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, it is pretty easy to see where the hatred or rivalry comes from with Ohioans.

The word lake can definitely have a more significant meaning to Michiganders than those in other states with smaller inland lakes.

I remember asking one of my cousins who lives in Kentucky, years ago, where the nearest party store was, and they looked at me like I was crazy.

My family is from the South, so we went south for vacations, but everyone I went to school with always said they were going up north for theirs.

The belief that Vernors Ginger Ale cures all minor ailments, I wonder if the company came up with that theory? If so, it was brilliant marketing.

I have been to many Michigan coney islands and always felt I was at a normal diner.

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I have always called soft drinks pop, but learned quickly when I was touring around the country that everyone else calls it soda. There are many more great posts on this Reddit thread. Feel free to see the rest or add your version of what makes a resident Michigander.

👇BELOW: 40 Terms That Prove Michiganders Have an Accent👇