monstersocks and I were discussing state nicknames over dinner so I was inspired to look up the following links:

• Why North Carolina is the Tarheel State
• Why Tennessee is the Volunteer State- Tennessee earned the nickname of "Volunteer State" during this period for its role in America’s wars of expansion. The list of Tennesseans who figured prominently in the War of 1812, the Texas Revolution, the Seminole Wars and the Mexican War is impressive.

The conversation came about because there were several TVs in the restaurant and one was playing a Tennessee Vols football game.