1. Ohio Basketball Fans Are On The Fair-Weather Side
Okay, remember when LeBron James announced he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat? The world nearly came to an end in Ohio. They burned the Power Forward’s jersey in effigy. If LeBron himself had been on fire, Ohio fans would not have spit on him to put it out. But as soon as they heard LeBron was coming back to Cleveland, all was forgiven.
2. The World Owes A Debt To Ohio
Thanks to inventive Ohioans the world has lifesavers, hot dogs, chewing gum and pop-top cans, not to mention electricity.
3. There Is A Correct Way To Eat Chili
Or maybe it is the correct way to eat noodles. You would think that since Ohio produced the first hot dog, that chili on tube steaks would be the novelty. No, Ohioans love the regional dish; spaghetti noodles covered in chili.
4. You’ll Hate Miami, Except In February
Ohioans hate Miami for stealing LeBron James. He’s back but respectable residents still hold it against Miami, unless they are snowbirds. Snowbirds, who land in Miami from Cleveland, make an exception in the winter months.
5. But You’ll Hate Michigan At All Times
Two of the biggest rivals in college football are the Ohio State Buckeyes and the University of Michigan Wolverines. Every year it’s the same thing—the game determines the Big 10 Conference title and Rose Bowl appearance. The disdain is mutual.
In addition to sports rivalry, the animosity between the two states could have begun in the early 1800’s, when a narrow strip of land was misappropriated between the two states. Turns out it's still a thing.
6. You Root For Ohio State University No Matter What
This is a no brainer; living in Ohio you better bleed grey and scarlet.
7. The Choice Between The Cleveland Browns and The Cincinnati Bengals Isn’t That Hard
Toss a coin.
8. The Words To “Hang On Sloopy”
Source: Youtube user Mike Hensley
It’s the official state rock song. Don’t get it? Yeah, me either. But living here, you’ll have to learn it.
9. A Buckeye Is Not Part Of A Deer
Buckeyes are the fruit of Buckeye Trees and are prolific in Ohio. They're actually nuts, with a spiny and prickly outside and is pretty toxic, but still considered a good luck charm. Native Americans used to boil the nut to blanch out the toxins so they could get the protein—but I wouldn’t risk it.
10. But It Is A Very Delicious Candy
Canada has maple candy, Ohio has buckeye candy: Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. Guess which one’s better.
11. To Do That Thing With My Arms That Sort Of Spells "Ohio"
Does this really look like O-H-I-O? Maybe a little. Ohioans are responsible for at least going through the motions. It is mandatory.
12. Amish Country Is Fun
The largest community of Amish people lives in Ohio. The countryside is beautiful and visitors will find the culture interesting, and the Amish food delicious.
13. Slow Drivers In The Left Lane Are Basically Criminals
Move over already! The left hand lane is for passing only. That’s why there are signs that read, “slower traffic stay right”.
14. The Hall Of Fame Is Located In Not So Famous Canton
Cleveland is much more popular and Columbus is the largest city in the state, which quite frankly is also surprising. But Canton is exceptional at football, which is almost a bigger deal. It's even got the Football Hall of Fame.
Football had its beginning in Canton and the city celebrates it big each year with a football festival, including hot air balloons and a football game.
15. John Glenn Had The Right Stuff
The late Senator John Glenn was born in Cambridge, Ohio and was the first United States astronaut to orbit the earth. He did it
three times in 1959. Glenn returned to space in 1998 on the Space Shuttle Discovery—that time around Glenn was 77 years old and had progressed from an American hero to an American legend.
16. Drew Carey Makes All Clevelanders Proud
Before the “Drew Carey Show”, did anyone believe that “Cleveland Rocks”? Not to say that it didn’t, but Carey, who is from C-town drew positive national attention to the city. Huey Lewis beat Carey to the punch. According to him Cleveland is the “heart of rock-n-roll”.
17. Ohioans Have A Sense Of Humor
How else could the city of Cincinnati possibly explain electing tabloid talk show host, Jerry Springer as mayor. In a twist that could easily have been a sensational episode of the “Jerry Springer Show”, Mayor Springer resigned, following his admittance to hiring a prostitute.
18. Ohio Is The Roller Coaster Capital of The World
Thrill seekers can hop on a roller coaster in any of these Ohio amusement parks: Stricker Grove, Memphis Kiddie Park, King’s Island, Jungle Jack’s Landing, Coney Island, and Cedar Point. Cedar Point enjoyed the title for best amusement park, fourteen years in a row. Amusement Today Magazine also placed Cedar Point on the list of the Best Ten Steel Roller Coasters in the world.
19. Lake Erie Is Pretty Much The Greatest Place Ever
Volume wise, Lake Erie is the smallest of the five Great Lakes. However, you may be surprised to learn, that Erie is the 11th largest lake in the world, in terms of surface area. Of course in contrast to the other four Great Lakes, Eerie is fourth in surface area. But, it is the warmest and most productive of the five. Warmer and more fun to fish? We’ll take it.
20. A Half Naked Fan In A Blizzard During A Televised Football Game Is Normal
Without fail, at least once a season, Ohio will get a tremendous snowstorm on the day the Browns or Bengals have a game; as a result some half - loaded, half - dressed fan, without a shirt, will get three minutes of fame, followed by three weeks hospitalization.
21. Some Ohio Cities Sound Like They Should Be Somewhere Else
Lima, Dublin, Kettering, Versailles, Winchester, Wilberforce, Holland… I could go on, but you get the idea.
22. Ohio Is First In Aviation
In your face, North Carolina. The Tar Heel State claimed for years to be “first in flight” because of Kitty Hawk, and it was even documented in history books. But that's incorrect according to Congress, which in a 378—3 vote determined that the birthplace of Wilbur and Orville Wright is where aviation actually began. That would be Dayton.
23. Who’s On The 500-Dollar Bill
One of the seven United States Presidents that were born in Ohio is on the 500-dollar bill. William McKinley’s face graces the face of the large bill. Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William H. Taft and Warren G. Harding were also born in Ohio.
24. You’re Welcome For The Lightbulb
Edison was born in one of those Ohio cities that sound like it should be somewhere else. The inventor of electricity’s home was Milan.
25. Not To Mention The Incredible Hulk
Actually, the fictional character that transforms into the fictional Hulk lives in Ohio. Dr. Bruce “you wouldn’t like me when I get angry”, Banner’s hometown is Cleveland.
26. Ohio’s Definitely “Got Milk”
There are 270,000 plus dairy cows living on 2800 dairy farms in Ohio. The state is 11th in milk production. Ohio cows produce more than 630,000 gallons of milk.
27. How To Not Get To The Other side Of The Zanesville Y Bridge
The “Y” shape can throw you off. The Zanesville Y Bridge spans the Muskingum and Licking Rivers. The bridge has the distinction of being in “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” as the only bridge in the world you cross to find you are still on the same side of the river.
What’s something you learned while living in Ohio? Tell us in the comments below!
