Show STATE NICKNAMES mississippians are called tadpoles the ancient heraldic device of france being three toads erect tant rhode island over years ago was maled little rhody an allusion to the diminutive size of this commonwealth north carolinians are Tuc koes from the indian word meaning bread and Tar heels from a leading industry west virginia in allusion to its mountainous territory has been not inaptly denominated the switzerland of america texas has been aptly denominated the th e lone star state from the appia appearance an ce of a single star in the arms of that commonwealth maine is called the lumber state or pine tree state from the character of its leading industry the name being self explanatory colorado has haa always been called the centennial state from the fact of its admission into the union in the centennial year of our national history mississippi has been called the bayou state from the long stretches of almost stagnant water backwater from the mississippi river found within the limits of the state |