States spend a lot of money carefully crafting their image using ads, billboards and websites (Pennsylvania less so than many states). But for all that effort, popular opinion doesn't always buy the marketing message.
Pennsylvania's slogan might be "Pursue Your Happiness" and its semi-official nickname may be "the Keystone state." But some outsiders know us by other names.
Here's a little insight into our reputation:
'The Unavoidable State'
When the website Thrillist tried to chart out the best cross-country road trips, author Justin Peters quickly realized something: Pennsylvania is a huge state that connects a big chunk of the nation.
"You’ll be spending a lot of today’s drive in Pennsylvania, and my advice for you is to drive through it as fast as you can, making as few stops as possible," Peters wrote in his three-and-a-half day road trip suggestion.
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He had more to say when it came to a seven-day trip suggestion: "Sorry to send you through Pennsylvania again, but it really lives up to its motto: 'The Unavoidable State.'"
Funny, Justin.
But he's not wrong: Pennsylvania has become a shipping hub because of its location.
We're close to a number of major cities -- so much so that we'rewithin aday'sdrive of nearly half the nation's population.
Pennsyltucky
The urban/rural divide in Pennsylvania is realand it's inspired one of Pennsylvania's more popular nicknames: Pennsyltucky.
It's a combination of "Pennsylvania" and "Kentucky," a more-than-a-little condescending attempt to describe the sea of rural, conservative land that separates Pennsylvania's two large cities.
Some trace the term to an analysis of the commonwealth's political climate by Democratic strategistJames Carville, although he didn't coin the term.
Regardless, the nickname has taken off. There's even a Netflix character who goes by the same name. (She's a foul-mouthed, aggressively religious recovering drug addict in jail for murder.)
UrbanDictionary, a community-driven slang reference, has an entry defining "Pennsyltucky" as the"rural parts of Pennsylvania with large concentrations of country folk, noted for interest in Hunting, Country Music, NASCAR, trailerlife, Walmart and working at the plant."
Alrighty then.
'Birthplace of America'
This is a little bit of a kinder take on the commonwealth: Many on the outside associate Pennsylvania with its rich history. That's part of the reason why the nickname "the Keystone State" has stuck.
Read:Hidden history discovered under old carpeting
The official travel site of the USA starts its suggested Pennsylvania road trip in Philadelphia, "the Birthplace of America." Then itlists attractions like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell,Strasburg Railroad, Gettysburg NationalMilitary Park andValley Forge National Historic Park.
It'ssometimes easy to take for granted when you live here, but some outsiders really do recognize Pennsylvania's rich history.
'The best place to shove anything between two slices of fantastic bread'
OK, this one was technically said in reference to Philadelphia specifically, but really –Pennsylvania as a whole has some pretty good eats and strange sandwiches.
Andrew Zimmern, of the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods," praised Philly cheese steaks, which are notoriously open to interpretation.
But Pittsburgh is also "almost famous"for stuffing things like coleslaw and french fries into peculiar sandwiches.
More:28 things to eat, drink and experience in central PA in 2018
And, lucky for usin central Pennsylvania, it's easy to get your hands on either Philly or Pittsburgh's take on the sandwich.
The 'state' of Pennsylvania
We're not a stickler about this, but it's worth a mention, just so everyone is clear: We'retechnically the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Not the state.
There's also another notable nickname that deserves a mention; one that outsiders generally don't use: "Pa.":
If you're a native, you know that it's our favorite nickname, because, you know, four syllables is a mouthful.
While you're here, check out this unique central Pennsylvaniatraditions: Mud sales
