The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NUTMEGGERS

AS YOU KNOW, IN COLONIAL TIMES SPICES WERE VERY EXPENSIVE.
THE YANKEE PEDDLER MERCHANTS CARRIED THESE SPICES. THEY
CARRIED THEM OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE IN SEARCH OF BUSINESS.
SOME DISHONEST MERCHANTS WOULD SUBSTITUTE WOODEN NUTMEGS
FOR THE REAL THING. AND SO THESE MERCHANTS CAME TO BE
CALLED NUTMEGGERS. AND TODAY A NUTMEGGER IS USED AS THE
NICKNAME FOR PEOPLE FROM CONNECTICUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-15-1968