No matter where you grow up, you tend to take on a few traits or habits or your surroundings. Each state throughout our country has its own quirks and unique qualities and the Bluegrass State is no exception. The habits of people who live in Kentucky range from the way we talk to what we eat to how we travel. But one thing’s for sure – we happen to think these traits are downright endearing. If you grew up in our state or have lived here for awhile, take a look at these 9 undeniable habits that no Kentuckian can ever unlearn and see how many apply to you.

  1. Saying “y’all” and other phrases

Facebook/Florence Y’alls How many times have you used “y’all” in a business email? And more than likely, no one thought anything of it. We also seem to like to end words with “in.” For example, “I’m fixin’ to have some burgoo for supper.”

  1. Directions are given in time, not hours.

Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / DigitalVision via Getty Images How far is it from Lexington to Louisville? A little over an hour (never about 80 miles).

  1. This is a buggy.

Grant Faint / The Image Bank via Getty Images Now this one definitely seems to be a regional thing, but many Kentuckians call this a buggy, rather than a shopping cart or grocery cart.

  1. We love us some Ale-8.

Facebook/Ale-8-One It’s weird to think that other parts of the country have no clue what Ale-8-One even is. But we do and it tastes great with just about anything.

  1. Storm warning? Let’s go out and watch!

Oliver Henze / EyeEm via Getty Images This was a popular response when we asked about Kentucky habits on Instagram. We hear sirens and head outside to see it for ourselves (maybe not our smartest habit).

  1. We take the backroads.

DougLemke, Istock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images On a recent trip to Red River Gorge from Northern Kentucky, we came back through the backroads. Did it take longer? Yes. Was it worth the extra driving? Absolutely.

  1. Bourbon goes with everything.

Facebook/Maker’s Mark We all know bourbon is a popular beverage in Kentucky, but we’ll put that stuff in and on everything. Bourbon-glazed chicken wings? Yes, please.

  1. We likely have a southern accent.

Rainer Lesniewski, Istock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Cross the river from Ohio into Kentucky and people immediately sound different. We have a bit of that southern accent - more than a bit in some areas.

  1. It’s habitual to stand up for the Commonwealth.

Aleksandr Kondratov, Istock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Sure, we may not agree with everything that happens here in Kentucky, but most would still defend our beautiful state. There are good, kind people here, beautiful lands, and a true heart for the state of Kentucky.

The habits of people who live in Kentucky don’t stop with this list! These are just 9 examples, but we heard many more over on our Instagram stories. And we’d love to hear more! Let us know your thoughts on this list and share more habits of Kentuckians in the comments.

Facebook/Florence Y’alls

How many times have you used “y’all” in a business email? And more than likely, no one thought anything of it. We also seem to like to end words with “in.” For example, “I’m fixin’ to have some burgoo for supper.”

Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / DigitalVision via Getty Images

How far is it from Lexington to Louisville? A little over an hour (never about 80 miles).

Grant Faint / The Image Bank via Getty Images

Now this one definitely seems to be a regional thing, but many Kentuckians call this a buggy, rather than a shopping cart or grocery cart.

Facebook/Ale-8-One

It’s weird to think that other parts of the country have no clue what Ale-8-One even is. But we do and it tastes great with just about anything.

Oliver Henze / EyeEm via Getty Images

This was a popular response when we asked about Kentucky habits on Instagram. We hear sirens and head outside to see it for ourselves (maybe not our smartest habit).

DougLemke, Istock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

On a recent trip to Red River Gorge from Northern Kentucky, we came back through the backroads. Did it take longer? Yes. Was it worth the extra driving? Absolutely.

Facebook/Maker’s Mark

We all know bourbon is a popular beverage in Kentucky, but we’ll put that stuff in and on everything. Bourbon-glazed chicken wings? Yes, please.

Rainer Lesniewski, Istock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Cross the river from Ohio into Kentucky and people immediately sound different. We have a bit of that southern accent - more than a bit in some areas.

Aleksandr Kondratov, Istock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Sure, we may not agree with everything that happens here in Kentucky, but most would still defend our beautiful state. There are good, kind people here, beautiful lands, and a true heart for the state of Kentucky.

And if you want more on our state and its Kentucky pride, check out 11 ways living in the Bluegrass State ruins you for life.

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Address: Kentucky, USA