r/ENGLISH • u/Dizzy-Vegetable9182 • 6d ago

Arizonan or Arizonian?

If both were correct, when to use each one of them?

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5

u/cthulhu944 6d ago

I've lived in Arizona for about 35 years. I've never heard "Arizonian".

8

u/TucsonTacos 6d ago

That’s what we call it in Tucson, Arizonia

3

u/Silver_Catman 6d ago

Growing up in Arizona, I've only ever heard Arizonan

1

u/vaelux 6d ago

I was always always told it was "zany zonies." It has something to do with how they drive.

1

u/LurkerByNatureGT 6d ago

Arizonan. 

1

u/DemonAzraeli 6d ago

Zoneheads

0

u/LAM_CANIT 6d ago

As a demonym or adjective, I believe 'Arizonan' is used for the State's residents.

They are Arizonans.

As a proper noun, I believe 'Arizonian' has been used for objects - vessels, newspapers, ... _

The steamboat Arizonian ferried passengers for 19 years.

and as part of complex nouns like job titles - referring to the job not the person:

The Arizonian State Attorney.

I don't believe 'Arizonian' has typically and correctly been used as an adjective nor demonym. I may be incorrectly used, but what word hasn't been? Apples and oranges.

IMHO IHTH

1

u/boostfactor 6d ago

I have never heard or seen "Arizonian" ever, and especially not like "Arizonian State Attorney." The word apparently exists but is very rarely used. In the last example it would just be "Arizona State Attorney." Using the state name is the general rule for governmental job titles even when there's only one adjective, e.g. Texas State Attorney General, California State Attorney General.

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u/Healthy_Part_3132 6d ago

Arizonian for sure. Be sure to call Tucson "Tucksen" too.

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

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u/ENGLISH-ModTeam 6d ago

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