What do you call somebody from Arkansas?
Dr. Fred Pfister, editor of The Ozarks Mountaineer, is conducting a survey to find out the answer to this question. He’s bracing to receive a lot of smart-ass remarks, but hopes that people will give him mostly straight answers.
Here is his question:
If you are a person from Arkansas, what do you call yourself?
Arkansan?
Arkansawyer?
Arkie?
Other?
If you live outside of Arkansas, what term do you most hear about a denizen of Arkansas?
Out-of-state respondents are also requested to keep the insults to a minimum.
Dr. Pfister would like to see comments along with the terms. Here are some additional questions to which answers are invited:
Do you perceive the term “Arkansawyer” as prejorative?
How about “Arkie?”
Any observations or stories about the terms?
Send your responses to editor@ozarkmountaineer.com
Maeve Maddox
Maeve Maddox writes about popular culture, English usage, and education. Her most recent books are WORD RAGE, a guide to peaceful coexistence as American English-speakers, and THE FABERGE FLUTE, a cozy mystery set in 1980s London.