The Beef State

The use of the phrase "is known as" might give the impression that this is the official nickname of Nebraska, or the best–known one. The first of these possible impressions would be wrong, and the second one is questionable.

Since 1945, the official nickname of Nebraska has been the Cornhusker State. For fifty years before that it was the Tree Planter State.

A Cornhusker is a person or machine that removes the husk from a corncob. Corn is a major crop in Nebraska, and in 1899 the sports writer Charles Sumner 'Cy' Sherman began referring to the University of Nebraska's athletic teams as the Cornhuskers. Today, all sports teams associated with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are known as the Nebraska Cornhuskers. According to NebraskaStudies.org – aiming to put the state's history at the fingertips of students, teachers and "history buffs of all ages" – "Many outsiders may think that this last title derived from the football team, rather than the other way around."

If you're ever asked which state is nicknamed the Cornhusker State, you just need to remember that it rhymes (well, sort of).

Having said all that, Nebraska is proud of its beef production, and it clearly does like to be thought of as 'the Beef State'. It has in the past used both 'Cornhusker State' and 'Beef State' on its license plates. It also has 'The Good Life' on state border signs.

The Netstate website also gives The Antelope State, The Bug–Eating State, and The Blackwater State as nicknames for Nebraska.

"Known as the Beef State"? Well, yes ... but it's also known as lots of other things!