Story by
What's a Hoosier? What to know before Ohio State vs. Indiana Big Ten battle
- Story by
- What's a Hoosier? What to know before Ohio State vs. Indiana Big Ten battle
The Dispatch has live coverage of Ohio State football vs. Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game.
Top-ranked Ohio State will take on the Indiana (No. 2) for the Big Ten football championship today, Dec. 6, in a battle of undefeated teams.
Advertisement
Both are 12-0 overall and 9-0 in the Big Ten.
Columbus Dispatch sportswriters have made their predictions , and Ohio State fans are rooting for a win over the Hoosiers. And as Buckeyes die-hards are traveling to Indianapolis for the game, they may wonder: Where did that name come from? Hoosiers is both a nickname for the team and the people of Indiana, and has more meaning than just the 1986 movie "Hoosiers," starring Gene Hackman .
Here's a look at the history of the nickname Hoosiers.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs toward Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (25) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
How can Ohio State beat Indiana? 3 keys for Big Ten title game
What is a Hoosier?
A Hoosier is a nickname given to people who live in and are from Indiana.
Advertisement
The nickname "implied a frontier roughness just beyond the most recently settled and civilized regions," according to Indiana Historical Society. It has since become the official demonym of the state of Indiana.
There are still numerous theories as to where the name's origin came from.
One potential theory revolves around a man named Sam Hoosier, a contractor who was believed to prefer Indiana workers over any others due to their reliability and hard-working nature. Those were referred to as "Hoosier's men," according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Some say the word derives from "hussar," which was used to describe public nuisances on the Kentucky frontier.
Advertisement
The most common theory, however, is that the word was used as a greeting, as those that approached another's home during the days of the frontier would shout "hello the cabin" from a distance to avoid being shot. Over time, those people became known as Hoosiers.
Indiana Historical Bureau estimates the nickname started appearing around the 1830s and was believed to first appear in writing in John Finley of Richmond's poem, "The Hoosier's Nest."
But outside of Indiana, being called a Hoosier is probably an insult.
Amanda Clark, public historian at the Missouri History Museum, told Nine PBS that it's a derogatory term in St. Louis.
Advertisement
"It's a phrase for someone, usually south St. Louis, kind of rural, so maybe from the country that lives in the city now, or maybe has certain behaviors that remind us of the country," Clark said.
Buckeyes football: OSU shifted focus to Big Ten title game 'minute' after Michigan win
Why is Indiana University called the Hoosiers?
The name is a direct reference to Hoosiers being the state nickname for those from Indiana, which is officially coined.
The school's official nickname became the Hoosiers in 1923, when the program called its football team the Scrapping Hoosiers. Hoosiers are the formal nickname for those from Indiana, as they were formerly known as "Indianans."
Advertisement
Comparing teams: How many 5-star recruits does Indiana, Ohio State football lineups have
What is Indiana University's mascot?
Indiana doesn't have an official mascot, but it has had multiple over the years.
The most recent mascot was a bison, which was voted on by the student senate and served as the official mascot from 1965-69. However, it was retired as a live bison couldn't patrol the sidelines and no student wanted to step inside the costume as it was too hot, according to the Indiana Daily Student.
The school has also had an owl and racoon over the years, along with then-athletic trainer "Bernie" Bernstein's toddler even serving as the mascot for a season in 1912.
Advertisement
The bison has made a return in the 2025 season . It appeared during the Big Ten championship game Dec. 6.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's a Hoosier? What to know ahead of Ohio State-Indiana Big Ten battle
