10 Surefire Signs That You Have Strong Roots In Kentucky

Where do you call home? I live in Northern Kentucky, and the joke around here is that people say they are from Cincinnati, Kentucky. This is actually true for me, as I was born in Cincinnati, but have spent many years in the Bluegrass State, choosing Kentucky as the place to plant our family roots. This beautiful state is definitely underrated and, at times, misinterpreted, and I am very proud to call it home. If you also have strong roots in Kentucky, it's likely you have spent some time in your life defending and praising your home state. There's more to Kentucky than fried chicken and horses. Roots grow deep in the Bluegrass, and if you're proud of your home, be sure to check out the Wear Your Roots brand to represent KY. Their logo is shown below, and it's the perfect intro to our list of 10 surefire signs that you have strong roots in Kentucky.

1. The first Saturday in May means something to you.

Did you know that throughout springtime, "When is the Kentucky Derby?" is one of the most frequently Googled questions? If you have roots in Kentucky, no Googling needed.

2. You know what this is and you can smell it just by looking at it.

If you don't know what this is, drive through Kentucky farmland in late summer. Our state is home to many tobacco farms and that earthy scent, honestly, just smells like Kentucky.

3. Your closet is filled with either red or blue. Not both.

Generally speaking, you either bleed blue or red in Kentucky. And if your roots are truly deep here, you have some pretty strong feelings about it.

Fill your closet with Wear Your Roots, too!

4. You know the best food in Kentucky is not fried chicken - it's this...

Or burgoo, or barbecue, or chocolate gravy on biscuits, or Derby Pie. But really, you can't go wrong with a perfectly made Kentucky Hot Brown.

5. You say y'all, even if you've long since left Kentucky.

We love this word so much, we put it on towers and name a baseball team after it. If y'all have Kentucky roots, y'all know what I'm talking about.

6. You know the difference between bourbon and whiskey.

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is (good enough to be) bourbon. It actually has to do with the type of grain and also where it is made. Just like us, bourbon's roots are in Kentucky.

7. A cold bottle of Ale-8 goes with any meal.

It has to be cold and it has to be out of the bottle. If you're from Winchester, you definitely understand the roots behind this one!

8. You say "bless your heart" when you actually mean it and also when you feel sorry for someone.

"Bless your heart" is a phrase we use a lot. While we truly mean to bless that person, we also feel a little sorry for them and what is often an act of, well, stupidity. They let the empty light in the car stay on too long - oh, bless his heart.

9. You have to spend time outdoors.

I mentioned earlier that Kentucky is underrated, and one example of this is its great outdoors. We have incredible hiking trails, bike trails, natural bridges, arches, waterfalls, and caves. Even if your roots are in Kentucky, it's likely you haven't experienced it all.

10. You tear up when you hear "My Old Kentucky Home."

"Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home..." I can't be the only one who tears up when this is played. Beautiful song. Beautiful state. Beautiful home.

I am proud to say my roots are in Kentucky and that's where they'll stay. This list just scratches the surface of the nostalgic, local nuances of our state. We'd love to hear from you - what other signs do you see that a person is from Kentucky?

And if you decide to shop at Wear Your Roots, be sure to use coupon code Kentucky10 for 10% off!

For more proof that you're a local, check out our video, How To Talk Like A Local - Kentucky Edition.