17 Ways You Can Always Spot Someone From Ohio… No Matter Where They Are

People from Ohio are a unique breed, and we're truly a group of individuals like no other. Even when Ohioans travel to other states or countries, we're pretty easy to spot. The following are just a few definite tip-offs that indicate if someone is from Ohio.

1. They dress in layers. Always.

Because, in Ohio, the concept of "weather" is essentially a synonym for terms such as "mystery" and "wildcard." We could easily experience all four seasons in a day.

2. They are genuinely confused when you tell them they have an accent.

Believe it or not, there is a linguistic term called the Northern Cities Vowel Shift. Once upon a time, cities around the Great Lakes region began pronouncing short and broad as (such as trap and spa, respectively) with the introduction of a y sound. So trap in local vernaculars throughout chunks of Ohio sounds more like tray-up. Crazy, right?!

3. They appear to experience physical, mental and emotional difficulty saying, writing or using the word “Michigan.”

According to legend, this rivalry can be traced back to the tensions of the Toledo War... the series of events that led to the current Ohio-Michigan border.

4. You notice they have quite the skill when it comes to dodging potholes on the road.

Because it’s essentially a survival instinct they need to live in Ohio.

5. Every once in awhile, they mysteriously pronounce an “r” in words that don’t actually have one.

Brb, gotta go warsh a load of laundry.

6. Street construction — while pretty inconvenient for some — doesn’t appear to phase Ohioans at all.

Here, it can be hard to tell if someone is driving drunk or dodging pot holes and traffic cones.

7. And strangely enough, they’re still game for a road trip even when the forecast calls for snowfall.

Depending on the part of Ohio you call home, winter can be brutal. The Lake Erie snowbelt makes for some crazy winter driving.

8. “Pop” is a noun first, verb second, to Ohioans.

Don't be surprised if we give you a look for saying soda.

9. It’s nearly impossible to impress them or freak them out with a roller coaster ride.

With Cedar Point's bragging rights as The Roller Coaster Capital of the World, we know how to have a good time.

10. Plus, they're pros at dodging deer.

They successfully dodge the deer on the road that literally came out of nowhere as if they’re just sitting on the couch playing Mario Kart while you’re sitting in the passenger seat having what you think might be a heart attack.

11. They never really seem to need anything exotic, fancy or flashy to have a good time. Give them a cornhole game, bonfire or a day at the local lake and they’re good.

Cornhole, by the way, is a game that belongs at every family gathering in Ohio.

12. They have much better taste in ice cream than you do and can recommend at least 10 places off the top of their head.

Ohio is full of ice cream joints, which is particularly refreshing in the summertime. Many communities have several ice cream shops within just one city!

13. When you’re watching Marvel's The Avengers, A Christmas Story, and Spider-Man 3, you can’t get your Ohio friends to stop talking and pointing out city landmarks like they personally directed the film or something.

You can't fool Ohioans, Peter Parker. We see you beating baddies on Euclid Avenue.

14. They’re strangely optimistic when it comes to their favorite sports teams, in the spite of what the track records say.

Well... mostly. It was admittedly hard that one year after the Cleveland Browns had a "perfect season" of zero wins.

15. A puzzled look crosses their face when you don’t understand the question of “Where’s the sweeper?”

(If you've been wondering, Ohioans call vacuums sweepers. It's okay to ask for clarification... we know some of our regional words strike you as weird.)

16. They’re visibly bummed when you tell them there isn’t a local, weekly farmers market in your area.

In Ohio, we have markets all year long. Some, like Findlay Market in Cincy and the West Side Market in Cleveland, have been connecting locals with fresh produce for generations.

17. When you ask them to tell you about what it’s like to live in Ohio they will give you a mix of thoughts and emotions.

First, they will jokingly make fun of their state. Second, they will tell you where they’d like to move. And lastly, they will tell you why they love their state and why they wouldn’t actually move away in spite of the genuine craziness that is Ohio.

What other ways are there to tell if someone is from Ohio? Is there anything that people from Ohio do that strikes you as weird? Tell us in the comments!

Does learning about Ohio culture surprise you? You might be surprised to learn that the modern traffic light, hot dog, and Life Savers candy are all inventions from Ohio.