1. Ohioans’ Love For The Buckeyes Will Never Die
When it comes to college sports here, basically the entire state is cheering for the
Ohio State Buckeyes. With a fan base that’s easily recognizable by the huge amount of scarlet and grey that flood the streets of Columbus on game day, even the Ohioans that might have a different alma mater can still be found backing this league powerhouse.
2. People Love The Buckeyes You Eat Even More
Balls of peanut butter dipped in chocolate… the combination that makes up a buckeye is a match made in heaven. It’s impossible to stop at just one. You’ll eventually force yourself to hide the container at the risk of eating them all in one setting.
3. Practice Your Ohio Arms
A common symbol of Buckeye love, Ohioans are constantly throwing up their “O-H-I-O” arms. It’s easy. It’s basically like dancing to the “Y-M-C-A” song, but with different letters. Don’t be the one person in the group that gets it wrong and embarrasses everyone.
4. Cleveland Isn’t Thaaaat Bad
Cleveland gets a ton of flack nationwide for allegedly being the armpit of America. This is far from the case. This uniquely awesome city is home to several great sports teams, an exciting downtown scene, and a foodie revolution. Plus, it’s been years since the river has caught on fire due to pollution… let it go.
5. The King Of Ohio Reigns Again.
Ohioans have endured a few strange years when it comes to their hometown hero LeBron James. First, he was the Cavalier’s savior, sure to lead them to a championship ring. Then he left Ohio to win a few championships for another city in the Sunshine State. Now he’s back in Ohio and he’s got a whole team around him full of superstars.
Most Ohioans have chosen to forget that he deserted them and simply welcomed him back with open arms.
6. Chili And Spaghetti Are A Winning Combo Every Time
If there’s one food that the average American will know Ohio for, it’s Cincinnati chili. This thicker combination of sweet and spicy goodness often includes a bizarre list of ingredients like cinnamon and chocolate, and it’s typically found on a bed of spaghetti topped with an enormous pile of thinly shredded cheese.
7. Leave Your Love For Michigan Behind
There’s nothing someone from Ohio hates more than someone cheering for the Michigan Wolverines, the most bitter of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ rivals. Even if you’ve spent your entire life growing up in Michigan, it’s probably best to simply not bring it up.
8. You’ll Probably See A Few Amish Folks
Believe it or not, upstate Ohio has one of the largest Amish populations in the world. If you plan on spending much time around this part of the state, be prepared to get stuck behind slow moving buggies from time to time.
9. The Dawg Pound Is A Big Deal
The largest NFL fan club in the country, the “Dawg Pound” is full of Cleveland Brown diehards. Win or lose, they’ll always support the team with huge numbers from the first kickoff to the final buzzer every season.
10. Don’t Mention The Curse Of The Bengals
After a player on the Bengals delivered a vicious career-ending blow to superstar Bo Jackson during the 1990 NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals have failed at achieving any sort of post-season success. Locals love to blame the current slump on this hit every time the playoffs roll around, but it’s still a sore subject if you bring it up.
11. Ohio Is A Roller Coaster Lover’s Paradise
Not only is Ohio home to Kings Island, it’s also home to Cedar Point, dubbed “the roller coaster capital of the world.” With 30 roller coasters between the two, the Buckeye State is a thrill seeker’s dream.
12. Put A Little Zing In Your “Yuengling”
While the rest of America is off drinking Bud Light, Ohioans prefer to enjoy Yuengling, the regional favorite from nearby Pennsylvania. If you plan on trying to order it out, keep in mind that it’s pronounced “ying-ling.” Saying anything else is sure to get you a confused look.
13. Eating A Polish Boy Isn’t Cannibalism
Chicago has the Chicago dog, Arizona has the Sonora-style dog, and Ohio has the Polish Boy. A deep-fried kielbasa that’s topped with fries, slaw, and a generous scoop of barbecue sauce, this regional dish is equal parts messy and delicious.
14. “Jake” Isn’t Just Some Dude Everyone Knows
Formerly called Jacobs Field, “The Jake” is where the Cleveland Indians play all of their home games. The field’s name has since been changed to Progressive Field, but locals aren’t ready to make the switch yet.
15. The Doo Dah Parade Should Be On Your Bucket List
This bizarre Fourth of July parade in Columbus is jam-packed with some of the most unique marchers in the country. You might see anything from an army of hostage-taking Fidel Castros to people pulling cars and floats with their body piercings. This is one event that’s always worth checking out.
16. The Athens Here Is More Fun Than A Trip To Greece
Home to Ohio University, Athens is known for throwing some of the craziest parties in the state. If you want to catch some of the action while it’s in full swing, head there around Halloween.
17. Goetta Is Edible, We Promise
Though it looks unappealing in its uncooked state, Goetta is just something you’ll have to try before you judge it. Another regional dish that Ohio is famous for, this meaty product is a blend of pork oats, onions, celery, and spices.
If you really want to give it the ole’ college try, the best place to find it is at the annual Glier GoettaFest.
18. Say It With Me: “Ky-uh-HAUG-uh”
Translated from Iroquoian, “Cuyahoga” means “crooked river.” You’ll see it a lot in the northern half of Ohio, especially around Cleveland. Learn how to pronounce it quickly or risk being called out for saying it wrong every single time.
19. It’s All Pop Here
With one generic name to rule them all, Ohioans call everything that’s carbonated and loaded with sugar “pop,” similar to how some states use “coke” or “soda.” You’ll probably be saying “pop” in no time after moving to Ohio. It’s just more fun to say, after all.
20. You’ll Hear “Please” A Lot In This State, Too
Ohioans have a serious tendency to substitute the word “please” in the place of “excuse me.” It’s a little bizarre when you start realizing how much it gets said. It basically has the same prominence of the Canadian “sooory,” but it just doesn’t get brought up as much.
21. Prepare Yourself For Constant Construction
A state that goes through huge temperature swings throughout the year, Ohio is constantly doing work to improve its roads. During the summer months, you’ll always need to budget a little extra time for travel across the state.
22. You’ll Like Ohio More Than You’d Ever Expect
The perfect Midwest state, Ohio is home to huge and diverse cities, tons of cool green space outside, and some of the most exciting sports teams in the country. If it’s good enough for LeBron to prefer over Miami, it’s good enough for us, too.
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