There’s One Letter Absent From Every State Name. Do You Know Which It Is?

Here’s a fun trivia question for your next get-together: Which letter isn’t in any state name?

If you’re like us, you’re mentally singing “Fifty Nifty United States” trying to figure it out. Take a moment (or a musical break) to ponder before scrolling down for the answer. Hint: The letter isn’t in this paragraph.

The Ultimate “Q”uestion

Photo Credit: Мар’ян Філь via stock.adobe.com.

“Q” is the only letter that isn’t in any state name. That’s quite the achievement, given that there are 50 states and only 26 letters in the English alphabet.

Runners Up

Person getting ready to sprint.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

The letters “J” and “Z” come in close second to “Q,” with those letters only appearing once in a state’s name. Do you know which states claim them?

The J and Z Dance

Flamenco dancer.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

New Jersey and Arizona are the only states with the letters “J” and “Z” in their names, respectively.

“B” Unique

Teenager with gum.
Photo Credit: zzzdim via stock.adobe.com.

Alabama and Nebraska are the only two states with the letter “B” in their names.

“F” Is Cool Too

Man with a radio.
Photo Credit: DisobeyArt via stock.adobe.com.

There are only two states that contain the letter “F”: California and Florida. Perhaps there’s something about the letter “F” and beaches.

The X factor

Spiny cactus plant.
Photo Credit: Katrine via stock.adobe.com.

The letter “X” joins “B” and “F” as the three letters that only show up in two state names. Texas and New Mexico are the only states that contain “X.”

Seeing Double

Man holding a magnifying glass.
Photo Credit: Rob Byron via stock.adobe.com.

Only one state starts with two vowels. Can you figure out which one it is? Think about it before we reveal it next.

Corn State for the Win

Red barn.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Iowa is the only state in the U.S. with a name that starts with two vowels.

Another Win

Corn field with windmill.
Photo Credit: Christopher Ruhaak via stock.adobe.com.

To put two cherries on top of Iowa’s cake, it’s also the only state with its two-letter abbreviation consisting of two vowels. But Iowa’s abbreviation isn’t “IO,”; it’s “IA.” That’s right, three out of four of Iowa’s letters are vowels!

Vowels Aren’t Uncommon

Woman thinking
Photo Credit: pressmaster via stock.adobe.com.

Nearly 25% of states in the U.S. have a name that starts with a vowel. Go ahead, give it a go to see if you can figure out which ones they are.

Ending Vowels

Photo Credit: Nicholas Felix/peopleimages.com via stock.adobe.com.

Statistically, it’s not that big of a deal for a state’s name to end with two vowels; nine states claim this diluted fame. It’s rarer for a state’s name to end with two back-to-back consonants.

16 Painfully Common Grammatical Mistakes

Teacher editing a paper.
Photo Credit: Andrey Popov via stock.adobe.com.

What’s worse than poorly used words and phrases? When those words and phrases are misspelled. These are some painfully common grammar fails among Americans that’ll make grammar-savvy individuals laugh or cringe.

16 Grammatical Mistakes So Common That People Don’t Think They’re Mistakes

50 Weirdest Laws in Each State

Three ice creams.
Photo Credit: ahirao via stock.adobe.com.

Most Americans are clear on treating thy neighbor as they’d want to be treated to reduce the chance of fines and jail time. But did you know you could be breaking the law by carrying an ice cream cone in your pocket? These are the weirdest laws in each state, most of which courts don’t enforce.

50 Weirdest Laws in Each State That’ll Make You Chuckle

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *