Arizona State Motto: The Divine and Dusty Compromise

The wild and quirky world of US state mottos

Chapter 1

The linguistic time machines

Chapter 2

Accidental comedy and translation fails

Chapter 3

Battles, boundaries, and bragging rights

Chapter 4

The rule breakers and the outliers

YOUR GOAL

Master of The wild and quirky world of US state mottos

Ch 2 · Accidental comedy and translation fails

schopenhauer Vermont's Latin Motto Mixup

Latin on the coin, confused with Spanish, what a wild mix-up!

schopenhauer The divine and dusty compromise of Arizona

The double talking liberty tree of North Dakota

schopenhauer North Dakota's motto is a direct quote about liberty that was once spoken to a tree.

Idaho's mysterious and infinite existence loop

schopenhauer Idaho's motto sounds like a wizard's spell but translates to a simple wish for longevity.

Grow As It Goes

BETA

schopenhauer Match quirky state mottos to their states to discover America's funniest trivia.

Fun Fact

Translation fixes: Maryland officially changed its motto's English translation in 2001 to 'Strong deeds, gentle words' to resolve gender bias concerns.

Glossary

mistranslation (noun)
An incorrect or inaccurate translation of a word, phrase, or text. Maryland’s Italian state motto historically caused controversy when its literal meaning was widely criticized as sexist.

Gossip

Which funny literal translation is your favorite?

Quiz

Which state's territory secretary, Richard McCormick, designed its seal and motto in 1863?

schopenhauer Maryland's controversial battle of the sexes

Quiz

In what year did Maryland officially update its motto's English translation to 'Strong deeds, gentle words'?

schopenhauer Idaho's mysterious and infinite existence loop

Quiz

What was the original, controversial English translation of Maryland's Italian motto?

schopenhauer The double talking liberty tree of North Dakota

Quiz

Which Roman poet's work is the source of New Mexico's motto 'Crescit eundo'?

Quiz

Which state's motto literally translates to 'It grows as it goes'?

Quiz

Who originally spoke the words 'Esto perpetua' (Idaho's motto) on his deathbed in 1607?

Quiz

What does Arizona's Latin motto 'Ditat Deus' translate to in English?

Quiz

Which US politician's 1830 speech inspired North Dakota's lengthy liberty motto?