Ohio State Question for Crothian

[pogre]

Hey had a question:

I was introduced to a player the other day by a friend who stated that he went to school at THE Ohio State. I was too embarrassed to ask why he said THE Ohio State instead of Ohio State. He's not the first one to say it to me either.

Enlighten a non-Buckeye please.

 

[Crothian]

This started up a few years ago that I really noticed. I think it is just a way to to emphasis the school or something like that. I'm not sure who started it or where it started (but I think it has to do with the sports teams). And lots of people say THEE instead of the.

Actually now that I think about it might actually go back to the mid 1990's when Ohio University tried to sue Ohio State for the use of Ohio in their products. Ohio University is older and felt they had rights to the word or something like that. My facts here might not be straight, but the case I believe was throiwn out of court and so it might orginate from that.

 

[pogre]

Thanks - I was wondering if it was because there was another state school in Ohio or something along those lines. And yes, this guy said THEE when he pronounced it.

 

[fett527]

Here's the history behind it, the name of the institution has offically been The Ohio State University since 1878.

http://www.osu.edu/news/history.php

The University's Beginnings

Ohio State's roots go back to 1870, when the Ohio General Assembly established the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The new college was made possible through the provisions of the Land-Grant Act, signed by President Lincoln on July 2, 1862. This legislation revolutionized the nation's approach to higher education, bringing a college degree within reach of all high school graduates.

The college's curriculum was a matter of bitter dispute among politicians, the public, and educators. One faction, the "narrow gauge" group, held that the college should devote itself solely to the teaching of agriculture and mechanical arts. The "broad gauge" faction wanted a wider program that featured English and ancient and foreign languages as well. Joseph Sullivant, a member of the first Board of Trustees, pushed the "broad gauge" idea through the Board of Trustees, where it passed by a margin of 8-7. His legacy endures; Ohio State continues to offer a broad-based, liberal arts education and a diverse range of study.

Classes began at the new college on September 17, 1873. Twenty-four students met at the old Neil farm just two miles north of Columbus. In 1878 the college's name was changed to The Ohio State University. In that same year the first class of six men graduated, and in 1879, the university graduated its first woman.

Many people overemphasize THE to sound like THEE to make sure there is no mistake. I had a high school teacher that was like that.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

It's the same with a lot of schools... the one that stands out in my mind is The George Washington University - not just George Washington University... THE George Washington University.

 

[DanMcS]

I think the university really started emphasizing it when they had trademark issues a couple of years ago with OU over athletic gear with school logos on it. A damn stupid thing for two universities to get in a spat about, overall. OSU started pointing out the "The" in its ads and literature and so on.

And, if you've gone there, you know they make sure to say "Make your check out to The Ohio State University". Which is why most students and alumni know it that way.

 

[freebfrost]

I don't think its use was really related to that issue, as there was emphasis on it back in 1990 when I attended grad school there. And I seem to recall that emphasis back in the 80s when I first visited the campus also.

I think it's been an institution for as long as it has been an institution.

Go Bucks!

 

[fett527]

I don't think its use was really related to that issue, as there was emphasis on it back in 1990 when I attended grad school there. And I seem to recall that emphasis back in the 80s when I first visited the campus also.

I think it's been an institution for as long as it has been an institution.

Go Bucks!

Since 1878. And as I said I had a high school teacher that always pronounced it that way and even corrected people. That was as early as 1989.

 

[shaylon]

I hear it referred to as The(e) Ohio State University all the time but I usually don't refer to the school in this manner.

Most usually I say (to fanboys), if you were smart enough to go there, you wouldn't LOVE it nearly as much.

 

[Crothian]

Most usually I say (to fanboys), if you were smart enough to go there, you wouldn't LOVE it nearly as much.

Your DM's a fanboy....