Folk etymologies Hoosier
one possible origin of term hoosier came construction of louisville , portland canal (1826–1833).
two related stories trace origin of term gangs of workers indiana under direction of mr. hoosier.
the account related dunn louisville contractor named samuel hoosier preferred hire workers communities on indiana side of ohio river new albany rather kentuckians. during excavation of first canal around falls of ohio 1826 1833, employees became known hoosier s men , hoosiers . usage spread these hard-working laborers of indiana boatmen in area , spread north settlement of state. story told dunn in 1901 man had heard hoosier relative while traveling in southern tennessee. dunn not find family of given name in directory in region or else in southern tennessee had heard story , accounted himself dubious. version subsequently retold gov. evan bayh , sen. vance hartke, introduced story congressional record in 1975, , matches timing , location of smith s subsequent research. however, u.s. army corps of engineers has been unable find record of hoosier or hosier in surviving canal company records.
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