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Michigander

A Michigander is an unofficial demonym denoting a native or resident of the U.S. state of Michigan, a term more commonly used and preferred over alternatives such as "Michiganian."^[1]^[2] The word combines "Michigan" with "gander," referring to a male goose, and emerged in the 1830s as a pejorative label, likely coined by rivals from Ohio during territorial disputes, with its first documented appearance in print occurring in 1838.^[1]^[3] It achieved widespread recognition in 1848 when Abraham Lincoln employed it derogatorily against Michigan politician Lewis Cass, dubbing him "the great Michigander" during a campaign speech to imply folly.^[2]^[4] While "Michiganian" has roots tracing to the early 1800s and formal usage in historical records from the 1870s, contemporary polls affirm "Michigander" as the dominant self-identifier among Michigan's population.^[1]^[5]

Definition and Usage

Core Meaning and General Application

A Michigander is defined as a native or inhabitant of the U.S. state of Michigan, functioning as the standard demonym for persons originating from or residing in the state.^[6]^[7] This designation applies broadly to individuals connected to Michigan by birth, extended residency, or cultural ties, without strict legal delineation.^[8]^[9] In everyday application, the term is employed across media, politics, and personal identification to evoke state-specific identity, such as allegiance to institutions like the University of Michigan or experiences tied to the auto industry, which employs over 600,000 workers as of 2023.^[7] For example, public figures and residents alike use it to signal regional pride, as seen in references to "lifelong Michiganders" in professional contexts.^[7] It appears routinely in journalistic reporting on state affairs, with outlets like the Detroit Free Press applying it to denote collective resident perspectives on issues from economic policy to environmental concerns around the Great Lakes.^[1] Though variants exist, Michigander predominates in informal and formal discourse for its concise evocation of Michigan's demographic and historical character.^[1]

Evolution in Everyday and Official Contexts

The term "Michigander" entered common parlance following its popularization in 1848, initially carrying a mocking connotation derived from Abraham Lincoln's political speech deriding Michigan politician Lewis Cass by likening him to a "gander," a term for a male goose implying foolishness or verbosity.^[10] ^[1] Despite this origin, by the mid-19th century, it had gained traction in informal discourse among residents, appearing in newspapers and local writings as a descriptor for Michigan natives, evolving from potential derision to a regionally distinctive identifier amid the state's rapid settlement and industrialization.^[11] This shift reflected broader patterns in American demonyms, where playful or invented terms often supplanted more literal alternatives like "Michiganian," which dated to at least 1805 but lacked the same phonetic flair or cultural resonance.^[5] In everyday usage throughout the 20th century, "Michigander" predominated in spoken and written vernacular, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in state media, literature, and personal accounts, fostering a sense of local identity tied to Michigan's "mitten" geography and automotive heritage.^[12] A 2011 survey of Michigan residents indicated 58% preference for "Michigander" over "Michiganian" (12%), with the remainder neutral or unfamiliar, underscoring its entrenched colloquial status despite sporadic debates.^[13] Linguists note that this preference persists because "Michigander" aligns with informal naming conventions for other states (e.g., Hoosier for Indiana), offering rhythmic ease over the more formal "Michiganian," which evokes associations with distant or institutional language.^[10] Official contexts exhibited greater variability, with early 20th-century state documents occasionally employing "Michigander" alongside "Michiganian," but federal usage consistently favoring the latter for its neutrality in bureaucratic forms.^[1] A 1955 state act initially adopted "Michigander," only for a 2002 amendment to revert to "Michiganian," reflecting stylistic preferences in legal drafting rather than public sentiment; this oscillation highlighted tensions between prescriptive officialese and descriptive everyday norms, where resident-driven language prevailed in non-formal settings.^[10] Over time, the term's acceptance in official spheres lagged behind its casual ubiquity, as style guides like those from the Associated Press intermittently endorsed "Michiganian" for consistency with analogous terms, yet empirical usage data from corpora and surveys affirmed "Michigander" as the de facto standard among Michiganians themselves.^[14]

Terminology Variants

Michigander vs. Michiganian

"Michigander" and "Michiganian" serve as competing demonyms for residents of Michigan, with "Michigander" emerging as the predominant term despite ongoing preferences for the alternative. "Michiganian" adheres more closely to standard English patterns for state-derived adjectives, analogous to "Indianian" or "Pennsylvanian," and predates "Michigander" in documented usage.^[1] However, "Michigander" gained traction in the mid-19th century, possibly originating as a mocking reference combining "Michigan" with "gander" to imply foolishness during the Toledo War era.^[12] The debate intensified in modern times over stylistic and perceptual differences. Proponents of "Michigander" cite its folksy, distinctive character tied to state history, including its alleged popularization by Abraham Lincoln in an 1848 speech deriding Democratic nominee Lewis Cass as "the great Michigander."^[1] A 2011 survey of Michigan residents found 58% favoring "Michigander" compared to 12% for "Michiganian," with the remainder expressing no preference or other views.^[13] Critics of "Michigander," including some women surveyed in earlier informal polls, argue it evokes male-specific imagery (as "gander" denotes a male goose), rendering it less inclusive, though common usage applies it gender-neutrally.^[5] Official recognition tilted toward "Michigander" in 2017 when the Michigan Legislature amended House Bill 4014, substituting "Michiganders" for "Michiganians" in references to state residents within environmental law provisions, signaling legislative endorsement amid divided gubernatorial practices—former Governor John Engler favored "Michiganian," while current Governor Gretchen Whitmer employs "Michigander."^[11]^[15] Federal style guides, such as those from the U.S. Government Publishing Office, continue to list "Michiganian" as the preferred form, perpetuating inconsistency.^[16] Despite this, "Michigander" prevails in state media, public discourse, and cultural self-identification, underscoring a preference for historical quirk over linguistic uniformity.^[1]

Regional and Informal Variants

In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, residents commonly refer to themselves informally as "Yoopers," a term derived from "U.P.-er," reflecting the abbreviation for Upper Peninsula.^[17] This usage underscores the region's distinct cultural identity, influenced by Finnish heritage, mining history, and geographic isolation from the Lower Peninsula.^[18] Yooper is prevalent in local slang and media, often contrasting with state-wide demonyms.^[19] Conversely, Upper Peninsula residents apply the informal label "troll" to those in the Lower Peninsula, a lighthearted yet pointed reference to living "under the bridge"—specifically, south of the Mackinac Bridge connecting the peninsulas.^[18] This term, while not embraced by Lower Peninsula dwellers, highlights regional banter and perceived cultural divides, such as differences in dialect, cuisine, and attitudes toward winter.^[20] The Mackinac Bridge, completed in 1957 and spanning 5 miles, serves as the symbolic divide.^[18] Less frequently, informal variants of "Michigander" include gendered forms like "Michigoose" for females, echoing the etymological link to "gander" but extending it playfully to geese.^[21] Such usages appear in historical anecdotes but lack widespread adoption today.^[21] These regional and informal terms coexist with "Michigander," enriching Michigan's linguistic landscape without supplanting the primary demonym.

Etymology and Historical Origins

Early Coinage in the 1840s

The term "Michigander" first entered printed record on September 16, 1838, in a travelogue published in the Hampshire Gazette of Northampton, Massachusetts, referring to residents of Michigan in a descriptive context.^[22] This early attestation predates its more famous invocation, marking the term's initial coinage as a blend of "Michigan" and "gander"—the latter denoting a male goose and carrying connotations of foolishness or idle chatter. The formation reflects a pattern of 19th-century American neologisms for state demonyms, often infused with humorous or satirical intent to evoke regional stereotypes, such as exaggerated storytelling or rustic simplicity among frontier settlers.^[22] By the early 1840s, "Michigander" appeared in additional out-of-state publications, including an 1842 reference in the Bellows Falls Gazette in Vermont, suggesting the term's diffusion through print media amid Michigan's recent statehood in 1837 and growing migration.^[23] These instances typically portrayed it in neutral or mildly whimsical tones, without the pointed political derision that would later amplify its usage; for example, it described locals in travel accounts emphasizing the state's lumber and agricultural economy.^[24] Unlike the more formal "Michiganian," documented as early as 1813 in territorial contexts, "Michigander" carried a folksy, vernacular flavor suited to informal discourse. The term's limited but verifiable early adoption underscores its organic emergence from linguistic playfulness rather than official designation, aligning with the era's rapid settlement and cultural consolidation in the Old Northwest Territory.^[3] No evidence ties its invention to specific individuals or events within Michigan itself during this period, though it likely arose among Eastern observers familiar with the state's wolverine nickname and debates over indigenous land claims.^[22] By mid-decade, sporadic newspaper mentions indicated budding recognition, setting the stage for broader circulation without yet displacing established alternatives.^[23]

Popularization and Lincoln's Role in 1848

The term "Michigander," derived from "Michigan" and "gander" to evoke the image of a foolish male goose, had appeared in limited use by the early 1840s, often in regional contexts mocking Michigan residents during disputes like the Toledo War, but it gained widespread recognition through Abraham Lincoln's pointed application in national politics.^[3]^[25] On July 27, 1848, Lincoln, serving as a Whig congressman from Illinois, delivered a speech in the U.S. House of Representatives criticizing Lewis Cass, Michigan's former territorial governor and the Democratic Party's presidential nominee that year.^[26]^[25] In the address, Lincoln derided Cass's military record and political opportunism, sarcastically referring to him as "the great Michigander" and noting, "Michigander—Yes sir, all his biographers (and they are legion) have him in hand, tying him to a military tail, like so many mischievous boys tying a dog to a fox's tail."^[27]^[28] This usage framed the term as an epithet implying silliness and ineffectiveness, aimed at undermining Cass amid the 1848 election campaign where Whigs, including Lincoln, supported Zachary Taylor.^[25] Despite its derogatory intent—Lincoln leveraging the goose connotation to portray Cass as a "dunderhead"—the phrase entered broader lexicon through the speech's publication and political discourse, transcending its origins as a local slur.^[1]^[3] Michigan voters largely rejected Cass in the election, favoring Taylor, yet the term persisted and was later adopted positively by residents, marking a shift from insult to self-identifier by the mid-19th century.^[4]^[25]

Official Status and Ongoing Debates

2017 Legislative Recognition

In November 2017, the Michigan Legislature passed a package of 13 bills aimed at modernizing statutes governing historical markers and sites, which included provisions explicitly defining residents of the state as "Michiganders" and substituting the term for previous references to "Michiganians" in relevant legal language.^[29]^[23] The measures passed unanimously in both the House and Senate on November 2, 2017, reflecting broad bipartisan consensus on adopting "Michigander" for official state usage despite ongoing public preferences for either term.^[30] Governor Rick Snyder signed the legislation into law on November 25, 2017, thereby embedding "Michigander" as the codified descriptor for Michigan residents in state law, particularly in contexts related to historical preservation and state identity documentation.^[29]^[31] This legislative action marked the first formal statutory endorsement of the term at the state level, resolving ambiguities in official nomenclature without prohibiting informal use of alternatives.^[11] However, federal references, such as those in U.S. Census Bureau materials, continued to employ "Michiganian," highlighting a divergence between state and national conventions.^[16]

Modern Polls, Preferences, and Criticisms

In a 2011 poll conducted by Glengariff Group, a majority of Michigan residents surveyed agreed with then-Governor Rick Snyder's usage of "Michiganders" as the preferred term for state residents.^[32] A 1985 Detroit Free Press reader poll similarly showed 51% favoring "Michigander" over "Michiganian," based on 1,435 votes for the former compared to 1,364 for the latter.^[24] More recent informal assessments, including a 2024 linguist survey of over two dozen Michigan residents aged 19 to 89, indicate overwhelming preference for "Michigander," with Governor Gretchen Whitmer consistently employing the term in official communications.^[14] This preference aligns with broader usage patterns, as evidenced by Google search results showing approximately 3.8 million hits for "Michigander" compared to 168,000 for "Michiganian."^[24] In 2017, the Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 562, amending the Michigan Historical Markers Act to define residents explicitly as "Michiganders," a change signed into law by Governor Snyder, reflecting institutional endorsement amid ongoing debates.^[30]^[31] The bill's unanimous passage in both chambers underscored a consensus favoring the term's retention in state law, supplanting prior references to "Michiganians" in some statutes.^[30] Criticisms of "Michigander" center on its etymological origins and perceived implications. The term's popularization by Abraham Lincoln in 1848 as a jab at Michigan politician Lewis Cass—equating residents to a "gander" or foolish goose—has led some to view it as inherently pejorative, evoking images of noisy or dim-witted birds.^[24]^[14] Additionally, from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, amid heightened awareness of gender issues, critics argued the term's link to "gander" (a male goose) renders it sexist or exclusionary toward women, prompting satirical extensions like "Michigoose" for females or "Michigosling" for children, though these have seen negligible adoption.^[14] Proponents of "Michiganian" cite its formality, gender neutrality, and avoidance of avian connotations as advantages, with endorsements from figures like former State Archivist Mark A. Harvey and inclusion in the U.S. Government Publishing Office style manual.^[24]^[14] Despite these objections, linguistic analyses and resident surveys suggest the criticisms have limited traction, with many, including self-identified feminists, dismissing gender concerns as overstated given the term's established, non-literal application.^[14]

Ties to Michigan State Identity and Pride

The embrace of "Michigander" as a demonym reflects a deep-seated regional identity among Michigan residents, characterized by a preference for its distinctive, rugged connotation over more formal alternatives, which aligns with the state's historical self-image as a frontier outpost with strong ties to manufacturing, agriculture, and the Great Lakes.^[33] This attachment persists despite the term's 1848 origins as a derogatory label coined by Abraham Lincoln to mock Michigan politician Lewis Cass, as residents have repurposed it to symbolize resilience and independence, transforming an intended insult into a badge of local fortitude.^[10]^[4] In 2017, the Michigan Legislature passed House Resolution 83, officially recognizing "Michigander" as the preferred term for state residents, a move that formalized its role in fostering collective pride and linguistic unity amid ongoing debates with "Michiganian."^[11] This legislative endorsement, supported by arguments emphasizing the term's historical precedence and cultural resonance, reinforced its status as a marker of Michigan exceptionalism, distinguishing residents from those of neighboring states and evoking a shared heritage of innovation in industries like automobiles, where Michigan produced over 10 million vehicles annually by the mid-20th century.^[30] Linguists have observed that "Michigander" conveys a stronger sense of belonging and group cohesion than "Michiganian," attributing this to its phonetic uniqueness and avoidance of a suffix common to more urbanized or elite-associated demonyms, thereby aligning with Michigan's blue-collar ethos.^[10] The term's integration into everyday language and state symbolism—such as in official documents, tourism campaigns, and educational materials—further cements its ties to pride, with surveys indicating majority preference among residents for "Michigander" as evoking authenticity over perceived pretension in alternatives.^[1] This preference manifests in cultural expressions, including loyalty to Michigan sports teams like the Detroit Lions and Wolverines, where self-identification as Michiganders amplifies rivalries and communal celebrations, such as attendance at events drawing over 100,000 fans annually to the Michigan International Speedway.^[4] By prioritizing empirical linguistic patterns over etymological purity, the adoption underscores a pragmatic realism in identity formation, where the term's widespread use since the 19th century has causally shaped perceptions of Michigan as a distinct, self-reliant entity within the Midwest.^[10]

Criticisms Regarding Gender and Formality

Some critics contend that "Michigander" fails to achieve full gender neutrality due to its etymological link to "gander," which specifically denotes a male goose, potentially implying that female residents are derogatorily termed "Michigoose" or children "Michigoslings."^[10]^[5] This objection surfaced prominently on January 28, 2012, when a female attendee at a town hall event urged then-Governor Rick Snyder to adopt "Michiganian," asserting that "Michigander" excludes women by referencing only the male counterpart.^[34]^[35] Snyder reportedly consulted linguistic experts on the terms' origins but continued favoring "Michigander," highlighting the debate's persistence despite its widespread adoption.^[34] Regarding formality, detractors argue that "Michigander" retains a colloquial, undignified connotation stemming from its 19th-century coinage as a mocking label—initially likening Michigan residents to eels or geese—making it unsuitable for official or professional contexts compared to the more stately "Michiganian," which mirrors demonyms like "Indianian" or "Pennsylvanian."^[24]^[10] Former governors such as James Blanchard, John Engler, and Jennifer Granholm reportedly preferred "Michiganian" for its perceived elegance and avoidance of the term's humorous yet pejorative undertones, such as the "goose" associations that invite playful but infantilizing extensions.^[36] These formality concerns have fueled intermittent advocacy for "Michiganian" in legislative and media discussions, even as state laws reference both terms without endorsement.^[24] Such criticisms, while voiced by a vocal minority—including some linguists and public figures—contrast with empirical preferences; a 2012 poll indicated only 12% favored "Michiganian" against 58% for "Michigander," suggesting the gender and formality objections have limited traction amid the term's entrenched cultural acceptance.^[35]^[16] Nonetheless, they underscore broader tensions in demonym selection, where historical whimsy clashes with demands for precision and inclusivity.^[10]

References

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Michigander or Michiganian: Here's the history behind both
Jun 26, 2024 · Michiganders came to prominence after a future beloved president used it as an insult. Michiganians is less original. Michiganders slides more ...
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Abraham Lincoln is commonly credited with the term "Michigander"
May 29, 2024 · Lincoln is credited with the first known use of "Michigander," but the term "Michiganian" dates back even further into the 19th century.Missing: meaning | Show results with:meaning
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Actually, 'Michigander' was used before Abraham Lincoln's speech
Feb 15, 2015 · 'Michigander' -- which came from a combination of Michigan and gander, a male goose -- was already a popular term at the time Lincoln used it to attack Cass.
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A Brief History of “Michigander” - Michigan Enjoyer
Jul 30, 2024 · Abraham Lincoln popularized the name by using it to insult Lewis Cass, the first governor of the Michigan Territory and a presidential nominee, in 1848.Missing: origin meaning
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Sep 1, 2014 · Michiganders. Before Honest Abe was born, “Michiganian” was used as far back as 1805. The Michigan Historical Society has favored it since 1870 ...
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MICHIGANDER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Michigander definition: a native or inhabitant of Michigan.. See examples of MICHIGANDER used in a sentence.
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Oct 8, 2025 · someone from the US state of Michigan: Osmond is a lifelong Michigander who has worked in the auto industry for 37 years.
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Michigander - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com
a native or resident of Michigan. synonyms: Wolverine. see moresee less. type of: American. a native or inhabitant of the United States. Cite this entry.
[9]
MICHIGANDER definition in American English - Collins Dictionary
A native or inhabitant of Michigan.... Click for pronunciations, examples sentences, video.
[10]
Michiganders or Michiganians? A linguist explains why the answer ...
Oct 28, 2024 · The original act, established in 1955, used the term Michigander, but an amendment to it in 2002 changed the term to Michiganian. In 2017, the ...
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On November 2, 2017, Michigan lawmakers declared "Michigander" the official term for residents, uniting state pride and identity.Missing: usage | Show results with:usage
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Michigander or Michiganian? The passionate debate over what to ...
Jan 16, 2020 · Some historical accounts suggest that Michigander was created by combining the word “Michigan” and “gander,” which means a male goose.Missing: evolution recognition
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Michiganders or Michiganians? A linguist explains why the answer ...
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Michigander vs Michiganian Debate is Nearly 200 Years Old - WGRD
Feb 18, 2025 · Michigan governors have used either Michigainian like Governor John Engler did during his term. Governor Gretchen Whitmer uses Michigander.
[16]
Michigander or Michiganian? : r/Michigan - Reddit
Jun 26, 2024 · It was popularized by Lincoln when he called Lewis Cass “the great Michigander” i.e., a goose. This has actually been more or less debunked.Genuine question: when can I call myself a Michigander? - RedditMichigander/Michiganian/Michigoose? The DEBATE! : r/grandrapidsMore results from www.reddit.com
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Feb 18, 2017 · Those living in the Upper Peninsula are called Yoopers, a nickname squeezed out of the first letters of the region (“U” and “P”) with a bit of a ...Missing: informal | Show results with:informal
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Mar 30, 2014 · While yooper refers to residents of the Upper Peninsula, those that live south of the Mackinac Bridge may be lightheartedly referred to as trolls.
[19]
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Jul 19, 2024 · Yooper. A term for residents of the Upper Peninsula. Proudly living “above the bridge.”Missing: informal | Show results with:informal
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Jun 16, 2025 · Michiganders have some pretty wild nicknames for each other. From Trolls to Yoopers to Fudgies, discover the surprising stories behind these ...Missing: demonym variants
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An unofficial name for a resident... - QI - Quite Interesting - Facebook
May 26, 2025 · An unofficial name for a resident of Michigan is a Michigander. Some people use it to mean a man from Michigan and call a woman a Michigoose ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
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Michigan / Michigander / Michiganian - Wordorigins.org
Nov 28, 2022 · The lake came first ... Michigander. That name appears in a 16 September 1838 travelogue in Northampton, Massachusetts's Hampshire Gazette:.<|separator|>
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Attention Michigan residents: Michiganders may soon be your ...
Nov 2, 2017 · Use of the word "Michigander" can be traced back to pre-Civil War years ... "Michigander" began appearing in newspapers as early as 1838.
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Michigander vs. Michiganian — what's the history, which one is right?
Aug 12, 2023 · Michiganians is less original. Michiganders slides more smoothly off the tongue, but Michiganians sounds profoundly less grating with a Michigan ...
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Jul 17, 2025 · The amended bill redacted a reference to “Michiganians,” replacing it with “Michiganders.” Surprisingly, it was Abraham Lincoln who made the ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
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Feb 11, 2011 · The term Michigander was actually coined by Abraham Lincoln, who was, in addition to his greatness, by far the funniest politician of his day.Missing: origin | Show results with:origin
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... Michigander [Cass]. Yes, sir; all his biographies (and they are legion) have him in hand, tying him to a military tail, like so many mischievous boys tying ...
[28]
Speech - Papers Of Abraham Lincoln
... Michigander– Yes sir, all his biographers (and they are legion) have ^him^ in hand, tying him to a military tail, like so many mischievous boys tying a dog ...Missing: exact | Show results with:exact
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Snyder makes it official: We're Michiganders - Detroit Free Press
Nov 25, 2017 · A portion of one bill defines residents of the state as Michiganders and removes references to the term Michiganians.Missing: legislature recognition
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Michiganders or Michiganians? Lawmakers settle it
Nov 2, 2017 · Michigander is the official term for the residents of Michigan and they have a bill that passed unanimously in both the House and Senate this week to prove it.Missing: evolution recognition<|separator|>
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Feb 11, 2011 · A Michigan pollster said a majority of state residents surveyed agree with Gov. Rick Snyder that they should be called Michiganders.
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Michigan residents are 'Michiganders' at heart - Hillsdale Collegian
Jan 25, 2018 · “Michigander,” the folksy alternative to the sterile “Michiganian,” is the proper term for Michigan natives.Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
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Is the term Michigander an insult to women? - MLive.com
Jan 28, 2012 · A woman in the audience asked him to use “Michiganian” instead, arguing “Michigander” is not gender neutral. Snyder said he once asked an ...
[35]
Poll: Michiganian Or Michigander? - CBS Detroit
Jan 30, 2012 · ... Michiganian," because Michigander is not gender neutral. Snyder said he once asked an expert to investigate the origins of each term to ...
[36]
From 'Yooper' to 'Mackinac': Understanding Michigan-isms
Jun 23, 2019 · Rick Snyder preferred the term Michigander, while former Govs. Jim Blanchard, John Engler and Jennifer Granholm favored Michiganian. Where did ...Missing: neutral | Show results with:neutral