Believe it or not, they are the official mottos. Each state only has one official motto (though occasionally a state will change it).
However, a state can have many slogans; they are typically used for advertising purposes, such as “Vacationland” or “The Sunshine State”.
The mottos are often written in Latin on the flag and other official documents, so many people are not familiar with a motto even if they live in the state!
Thanks for visiting Two Eyeballs. Maryland’s is definitely the most eyebrow-raising…
thanks so much for your response, emily! i had no idea that states had more than one motto. there are several that i do know, and did not see, so i just figured some of them were made up.
You’re welcome! I should add that the mottos are originally in Latin, too, so a lot of times they’re on official documents or flags but are more difficult to recognize.
Great map by Emily Wick. Check out her shop here. {via morewaystowastetime}
koala
December 19, 2008 at 2:15 pm //
Is it true motto’s or just jokes?
Prêt à Voyager
December 19, 2008 at 2:25 pm //
def not real! ;)
anne
Yoli
December 19, 2008 at 3:46 pm //
I agree, definitely not real…lol
Loopy
December 19, 2008 at 5:01 pm //
I dunno! Considering MD is “Manly Deeds, Womanly Words”. I mean really, who would pick that for MD!?
(Still love the artwork tho!)
koala
December 19, 2008 at 9:28 pm //
Well forgive me for not knowing. That Florida one sounded right.
Elizabeth Magee
December 20, 2008 at 5:46 am //
Ha! I thought they were all real because Kentucky’s is right.
Emily Wick
December 24, 2008 at 12:42 am //
Believe it or not, they are the official mottos. Each state only has one official motto (though occasionally a state will change it).
However, a state can have many slogans; they are typically used for advertising purposes, such as “Vacationland” or “The Sunshine State”.
The mottos are often written in Latin on the flag and other official documents, so many people are not familiar with a motto even if they live in the state!
Thanks for visiting Two Eyeballs. Maryland’s is definitely the most eyebrow-raising…
paintandink
December 28, 2008 at 4:22 pm //
OOooooooh, I love that map! Fantastic!
Prêt à Voyager
January 2, 2009 at 4:15 pm //
thanks so much for your response, emily! i had no idea that states had more than one motto. there are several that i do know, and did not see, so i just figured some of them were made up.
thanks for enlightening!
anne
Emily Wick
January 5, 2009 at 4:19 am //
You’re welcome! I should add that the mottos are originally in Latin, too, so a lot of times they’re on official documents or flags but are more difficult to recognize.
Emily