When left with a question like this, I always go to the trusty minds of Wikipedia to see what they say...  this time they let me down.  It seems the exact origin and meaning of this word is unknown.

I've heard stories, and most of them are recounted on this page - the slurred language of the state's forefathers who were saying things like "Who's there" and "Who's your pa", Indiana rivermen who were so good ad quieting adversaries in brawls that they were known as "hushers", the employees of Samuel Hoosier who were known as "Hoosier's men", and people who recognized the virtues of hussars but misheard the pronunciation - all interesting stories but nothing definitive.  What is known is that the term has been in use since at least 1826 and it's readily accepted by the people of Indiana.

So now I'm a Hoosier.

I made the trip to Indianapolis yesterday with the last of my possessions (except my cat - I'm hoping Kash will be joining me before too long) and now I'm temporarily settled while I try to find a job and a place more permanent to live.  So far, so good - though I'm welcoming any job leads at this point.  I'm planning to continue doing my freelance work as well as pursuing ministry... and as usual I'll try to keep everyone posted on here.

This blog's been lacking in the image department lately so here's a photo of the sign welcoming me to Indiana.  No, I didn't take the picture - I was too busy driving - so I'll credit Michael J. Totten for this picture I found on his blog and if someone wants to take a new one for me (perhaps on their way to visit me) I'll gladly replace it with something more personal