Thank God for Mississippi explained

"Thank God for Mississippi" is an adage used in the United States, particularly in the South, that is generally used when discussing rankings of U.S. states.[1] Examples include rankings of educational achievement, business opportunities,[2] obesity rates,[3] overall health,[4] the poverty rate,[5] life expectancy, or other criteria of the quality of life or government in the 50 U.S. states.[6] [7] [8]

Since the U.S. state of Mississippi commonly ranks at or near the bottom of such rankings, residents of other states also ranking near the bottom may say, "Thank God for Mississippi", since the presence of that state in 50th place spares them of being ranked last.[9] The phrase is in use even among state government officials[10] [11] and journalists,[12] [13] [14] [15] though occasionally with a slight modification.[16] [17] [18]

Mississippi's poor reputation is such a common trope in American culture that when Mississippi does rank well in something, the phrase "Thank God for Mississippi" may get brought up just to discuss how it does not apply in the given circumstance.[19] [20] [21] The saying comes from Mississippi's poor ranking as compared to the other 49 U.S. states, not from a global perspective.[22] [23]

History

The saying has been attributed since before the induction of Alaska and Hawaii as states in 1959,[24] and its use, while found throughout the entire country, is especially common in Alabama,[25] [26] which shares significant cultural and historical ties with its neighbor and former Mississippi Territory co-constituent Mississippi.[27] [28] Its use is also noted in nearby Arkansas and other frequently low-ranking states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and West Virginia.

The saying has become something of a cliché,[29] and has seen usage across the nation with regard to rankings both serious and trivial,[30] [31] and the underlying logic has been extrapolated to other states and even countries.[32]

The growing notoriety of the phrase has led some Mississippians themselves to despise the saying, not because it is false, but because it rings true and puts their state in a bad light. The phrase has also been used as an attempt to rally Mississippians towards making change.[33]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Key, V. O. Southern Politics in State and Nation. New York: A.A. Knopf, 1949. Print.
  2. Web site: Cohn . Scott . 2022-07-13 . America's worst state for business: Mississippi is cheap, but its workforce weak . 2022-09-16 . CNBC . en.
  3. Web site: 2022-09-16 . Adult Obesity Rates - The State of Childhood Obesity . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916151217/https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/adult-obesity/ . 2022-09-16 . 2022-09-16 .
  4. Web site: TGFM: La. second unhealthiest state - The Independent Media Group . Theind.com . December 8, 2010 . May 13, 2013.
  5. Web site: Povich . Elaine S. . Arkansas: Battle for the Statehouse, Governor Election - AARP Bulletin . Aarp.org . October 7, 2010 . May 13, 2013.
  6. Web site: After 148 years, Mississippi finally ratifies 13th Amendment, which banned slavery . 2022-09-16 . www.cbsnews.com . February 18, 2013 . en-US.
  7. Web site: Overview of Mississippi .
  8. Web site: Kulo . Warren . 2022-08-16 . Study finds Mississippi is nation's worst state in which to live, again . 2022-09-16 . gulflive.
  9. Web site: 'Thank God for Mississippi' - Church World Service . Hunger.cwsglobal.org . April 26, 2012 . May 13, 2013.
  10. Web site: Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe . Governor.arkansas.gov . January 11, 2011 . May 13, 2013. deviated. https://web.archive.org/web/20110121112736/http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=2686. 2011-01-21.
  11. Web site: Fiscal Input Report. Nmlegis.gov. May 13, 2013.
  12. Web site: Alabama and Mississippi all alone in food-tax policy . Archive.decaturdaily.com . April 30, 2007 . May 13, 2013.
  13. Web site: Budd McLaughlin . Good news for Alabama business | al.com . Blog.al.com . August 29, 2009. May 13, 2013.
  14. Web site: Is 'Thank God For Mississippi Or Arkansas' Finally Behind Us? On West Kentucky Journal . Westkyjournal.com . October 10, 2012 . May 13, 2013.
  15. Stiglitz . Joseph E. . Joe Wilson does other politically challenged states a favor. . Slate Magazine . Slate.com . September 12, 2009. May 13, 2013.
  16. Web site: Thank god for Mississippi (County). - Free Online Library . Thefreelibrary.com . August 23, 2004 . May 13, 2013.
  17. Web site: Brantley . Max . Thank God for Mississippi | Arkansas Blog . Arktimes.com . April 7, 2011 . May 13, 2013.
  18. Web site: Congo: Africa's 'Thank God for Mississippi' . Radar Online . October 27, 2008 . May 13, 2013.
  19. Web site: 'Thank God for Mississippi!'. live . Larry J. . Sabato . Kyle . Kondik . Geoffrey . Skelley . . June 25, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150912071014/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/mississippi-thad-cochran-108289/ . September 12, 2015 .
  20. News: Which states are the best (and worst) at vaccinating their kids. live . The Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307092257/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/01/29/which-states-are-the-best-and-worst-at-vaccinating-their-kids/ . March 7, 2016 .
  21. Web site: Thank God for Mississippi . 1 July 2022 .
  22. WidespreadEconomic Growth Across States In 2011 . . June 5, 2012 . December 27, 2012 . 7. https://web.archive.org/web/20120616035607/http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/2012/pdf/gsp0612.pdf . June 16, 2012 .
  23. Data mostly refers to IMF staff estimates for the year 2014, made in April 2015. World Economic Outlook Database-April 2015, International Monetary Fund. Accessed on 14 April 2015.
  24. Web site: Popik . Barry . The Big Apple: 'Thank God for Mississippi' ('Thank Heaven for Mississippi') . Barrypopik.com . October 11, 2008 . May 13, 2013.
  25. Zengerle . Jason . Mississippi Is For . . . Education? . New Republic . December 2, 2008. May 13, 2013.
  26. News: In Alabama: A County of Hope . Thomas R. . Brooks . Washington Evening Star . 152 . "Alabamans have a saying: 'Thank God for Mississippi, or we'd be the poorest state in the nation.'" .
  27. Web site: Thank God for Mississippi . Capstone Report . October 15, 2007. May 13, 2013.
  28. Web site: Thank God for Mississippi | This Bird's View . Thisbirdsview.wordpress.com . February 17, 2011 . May 13, 2013.
  29. Web site: Arkansas 4th Most Pro-Life State in the Nation . Family Council . January 25, 2011 . May 13, 2013.
  30. Web site: What Is the State Motto of New Mexico? . Wisegeek.com . May 13, 2013.
  31. Web site: Thank God for Mississippi . SantaFe.com . Susan . Tungate . August 17, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130510144252/http://www.santafe.com/blogs/read/thank-god-for-mississippi . May 13, 2013. May 10, 2013 .
  32. Web site: How the UK compares to other Europeans on poverty . Liberal Conspiracy . January 17, 2013 . May 13, 2013.
  33. Web site: OPINION: Erase 'Thank God for Mississippi' from Wikipedia. Sarah. Ulmer. March 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20230517204457/https://magnoliatribune.com/2018/03/10/opinion-erase-thank-god-for-mississippi-from-wikipedia/. live . May 17, 2023.

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