Below are the official mottos of the 50 states, followed by unofficial mottos suggested over the years by various wags, quipsters, and detractors.
The unofficial mottos are way better.
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Alabama
We dare defend our rights.
Like the Third World, only closer.
Alaska
North to the future.
Yes, but it’s a dry cold.
Arizona
God enriches.
Where the trees fight over the dogs.
Arkansas
The people rule.
Lituracy ain’t everythang.
California
I have found it.
By 30, our women have more plastic than your Honda.
Colorado
Nothing without God’s will.
If you don’t ski, don’t bother.
Connecticut
He who transplanted still sustains.
Like Massachusetts , only smaller.
Delaware
Liberty and independence.
Dela-who? Dela-what? Dela-where!
Florida
In God we trust.
Ask us about our grandchildren.
Georgia
Wisdom, justice, moderation.
We put the fun in fundamentalist extremism.
Hawaii
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
Haka Tiki Mou Sha’ami Leeki Toru. (Death to mainland scum. Leave your money.)
Idaho
Let it be perpetual.
Idaho? No, Udaho!
Illinois
State sovereignty, national union.
Please, don’t pronounce the “s.”
Indiana
The crossroads of America.
Two billion years tidal wave free.
Iowa
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.
We do amazing things with corn.
Kansas
To the stars through adversity.
First of the rectangle states.
Kentucky
Let us be grateful to God.
Five million people, 15 last names.
Louisiana
Union, justice, confidence.
We’re not ALL drunk Cajun wackos.
Maine
I lead.
It’s freezing, but we have cheap lobster.
Maryland
Manly deeds, womanly words.
If you can dream it, we can tax it.
Massachusetts
By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.
Our taxes are lower than Sweden’s for most brackets.
Michigan
If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.
First line of defense against the Canadians.
Minnesota
The star of the north.
10,000 lakes, 10 zillion mosquitoes.
Mississippi
By valor and arms.
Come visit and feel better about your own state.
Missouri
Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.
Your federal flood relief tax dollars at work.
Montana
Gold and silver.
Land of the Unabomber and right-wing crazies.
Nebraska
Equality before the law.
The “N” is for Knowledge.
Nevada
All for our country.
Prostitutes and poker!
New Hampshire
Live free or die.
Go away and leave us alone.
New Jersey
Liberty and prosperity.
You want a motto? We got your motto right here!
New Mexico
It grows as it goes.
Cleaner than regular Mexico.
New York
Ever upward.
A great city next to Pennsylvania.
North Carolina
To be rather than to seem.
Tobacco is a vegetable.
North Dakota
Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable.
The other South Dakota.
Ohio
With God, all things are possible.
It’s not just “hello” in Japanese.
Oklahoma
Labor conquers all things.
Like the play, but no singing.
Oregon
She flies with her own wings.
Spotted owl… it’s what’s for dinner.
Pennsylvania
Virtue, liberty, and independence.
We cook with coal.
Rhode Island
Hope.
We’re not really an island.
South Carolina
While I breathe, I hope.
We haven’t actually surrendered yet.
South Dakota
Under God, the people rule.
Closer than North Dakota.
Tennessee
Agriculture and commerce.
Please remove shoes before entering.
Texas
Friendship.
Se hable Ingles.
Utah
Industry.
Our Jesus is better than your Jesus.
Vermont
Freedom and unity.
Yep.
Virginia
Thus always to tyrants.
Land of government stiffs and slackjawed yokels.
Washington
By and by.
Help! We’ve been overrun by nerds and slackers!
West Virginia
Mountaineers are always free.
One big happy family. Really!
Wisconsin
Forward.
Come cut the cheese!
Wyoming
Equal rights.
Where men are men and the sheep are scared.
The District of Columbia
Justice to all.
The work-free drug place.
Excellent selection and great laughs — thanks a lot