Over the centuries, Kentucky and its people have been the brunt of many a joke. Some based on fact, others not so much. It is with a chuckle that I review some of the things told over the years, and a touch of truth where it should be. I hope that everyone can take this with good sense of humor, as we take a look at 10 things other states tend to say about Kentuckians:

  1. There is more bourbon barrels then people in Kentucky? Possibly… if you include bottles too.

Ken Thomas

  1. Sweet tea runs in our veins? Not true, though we do have an unusually high percentage of both diabetics and pre diabetics.

Nina Marta

  1. Southern women wear pearls with every outfit? Cannot argue this one when it comes to our older generations.

Wiki

  1. We can only speak in hick? Many of us are fluent in hick, but thanks to schools, English is now our second language

Wiki

  1. We have five million residents but only 15 last names? Not true, check any local phone book

Green County Archives

  1. We marry our kinfolk? This has happened in rural areas of the Appalachians, where pickens are slim. One family, the Fugates, passed a rare recessive gene, making them look bluish in color.

Darin Kim

  1. Women in Kentucky are always pregnant? Mostly untrue, but there are exceptions.

Aralik

  1. Kentucky women always run around barefoot? Not so… we wear shoes when we go out and pavement is hot in the summer.

George Pik

  1. Kentuckians use duct tape for everything? This is true, and we can often fix anything from cars to kitchenware with duct tape… at least temporarily.

Tom Roswell

  1. We are all hillbillies? This is not an insult. Hillbillies are some of the most ingenuities people in the world. We can farm, cook, process our own meat and survive without electricity and air conditioning.

Wiki

Every state has a few skeletons in its closet, with some being worse then others. Overall, Kentucky really isn’t that bad. Some of the insults that get thrown at us are even complimentary, such as Hillbilly, at least in my opinion. I am sure people say other disturbing things, as all states have a rival state, especially when it comes to sports. These were the first 10 to come to mind, so if you think of others, please share. Just remember to take each would be insult with a grain of salt. It is always better to try and give it a giggle instead of a retort.

Ken Thomas

Nina Marta

Wiki

Green County Archives

Darin Kim

Aralik

George Pik

Tom Roswell

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