"Thank God for Mississippi" is an
adage used in the United States, particularly in the
South, that is generally used when discussing rankings of U.S. states.[1] Since the U.S. state of
Mississippi commonly ranks at or near the bottom of such rankings, residents of other states also ranking near the bottom may say, "Thank God for Mississippi", since the presence of that state in 50th place spares them the shame of being ranked last.[2]
Mississippi's poor reputation is such a common trope in American culture that, when Mississippi does indeed rank well in something, the phrase "Thank God for Mississippi" may get brought up just to discuss how it does not apply in the given circumstance.[19][20][21] The saying comes from Mississippi's poor ranking as compared to the other 49 states, not from a global perspective.[22][23]
History
The saying has been attributed since before the induction of
Alaska and
Hawaii as states in 1959,[24] and its use, while found throughout the entire country, is especially common in
Alabama,[25][26] which shares significant cultural and historical ties with its neighbor and former
Mississippi Territory co-constituent Mississippi.[27][28] Its use is also noted in nearby
Arkansas and other frequently low-ranking states such as
Kentucky,
West Virginia, and
Texas.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35]
The saying has become something of a
cliché,[36] and has seen usage across the nation with regard to rankings both serious[33] and trivial,[37][38] and the underlying logic has been extrapolated to other states and even countries.[39]
The growing notoriety of the phrase has led some Mississippians themselves to despise the saying, not because it is false, but because it rings true and puts their state in a bad light. The phrase has been used as an attempt to rally Mississippians towards change.[40]
^Brooks, Thomas R.
"In Alabama: A County of Hope". Washington Evening Star. p. 152. Alabamans have a saying: 'Thank God for Mississippi, or we'd be the poorest state in the nation.'
^"Letter from the President". Arkansas' Independent Colleges & Universities. March 13, 2012. Archived from
the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.