The article traces the origin of the word "hoosier" in relation to Indiana's river culture. Jacob P. Dunn declared that the word "hoosier" was coined in 1826, however, a Cincinnati newspaper editor disagreed. He explained that in the 1830s, the term referred to boatmen living on the shores of Indiana and this evolved to refer to all Indianans. Events involving Indiana pride, history and river life related to the term hoosier are presented.