What is Answerbag?

Ask questions and share your knowledge with the world here on Answerbag. Get the best answers where there are no duplicate questions and questions are always open - our community of over 1,142,000 will find your answer!

Join For Free!
 

What Is the Origin of the Name Missouri?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
 

Instructions

Origin

  • Step 1:
    The state of Missouri is named after the river of the same name. The river is named for a Siouan tribe, Ouemessourita, whose name means "those who have dugout canoes."

Pronunciation

  • Step 1:
    There is much debate over the appropriate pronunciation of the last syllable in "Missouri." Linguists agree that whether the final syllable should be a laxed or tightened vowel is simply a matter of preference, which varies according to geography, age and other factors.

History of the State

  • Step 1:
    Missouri was bought from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase and originally referred to as the Missouri Territory. On August 10, 1821, part of this territory was admitted to the union as Missouri.

The State

  • Step 1:
    Missouri is a midwestern state bordered by Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Jefferson City is the capital.

Geography

  • Step 1:
    The geography of Missouri is comprised of hills, plains, mountainous regions and plateaus. Two major rivers run through the state: Missouri and Mississippi.

Related Content
About Japanese Names
Understanding the meaning, spelling and pronunciation of some Japanese names can be difficult for many Westerners. Both beautiful and complex, there's often a discrepancy between how Japanese names...
Spanish for Beginners
Spanish is spoken by around 400 million people in 28 different countries around the world. The language is one of the five Romance languages that originated with Latin. It has an unambiguous...
Facts of the Oregon Trail
Thousands of U.S. residents left the settled eastern states in the first part of the 19th century and followed the Oregon Trail in search of new land and opportunities in the West. Along the way...
What States Does the Oregon Trail Go Through?
The Oregon Trail was a 2,000-mile-long path marked by wagon-wheel ruts, military forts and natural landmarks that connected Missouri with Oregon. From 1843 to 1869, more than 400,000 people...
What Is the Origin of the Name, Maine?
The etymology of the state of Maine is a source of much debate. Though its first usage is close to 400 years old, no one source can be unequivocally sited the birthplace of its name.