All I can think to say is one of my favorite sayings: SPIT FIRE AND SAVE THE MATCHES.
This is an exclamation of surprise that means: Well, I’ll be darned! What do you know? Huh.
I’ve also heard this saying in a slightly more vulgar form wherein the “p” in spit is changed to an “h” thereby creating a different word that imparts a similar meaning. This ruder saying then sometimes becomes a phrase in a NSFW longer saying.
But this is a polite blog so we’re going with the sweet shorter version of the saying. Plus I like mine better. It’s cuter, rather dragonesque in its imagery.
• • •
I only share this saying with you, my gentle readers, because it has come to my attention that some of my fellow Ohioans have asked one particular question of ye olde Google.
It is a question that I find to be an odd one, but then my fellow Ohioans often baffle me.
I’ve lived in this state most of my life, been educated here, but cannot explain how some of us are, shall we say, enlightened, while others are in the dark.
Dim. Lacking any spark whatsoever.
• • •
This, I believe, explains how it is that the most popular question on Google that comes from the Buckeye state is: HOW TO MAKE FIRE?
I kid you not, as the following image shows.
It’s a question that suggests overall we Ohioans aren’t the brightest bunch of people, looking as we are for the answer to a question that researchers suggest our ancestors in the second part of the Middle Pleistocene knew the answer to.
But in Ohio today, not so much. 😉

{ Find out more about your state’s questions HERE. }
Oh my.
Well I’m over here with a pile o people who don’t know how to Google while Googling, so you know, no judgement.
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joey, made me laugh. I dunno about people anymore. Maybe I never did…
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Um, what’s up with Delaware? Texas, not surprised, they’ve been the step child of the U.S. since they became a state.
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w1nt3l, kind of makes you rethink any plans for visiting the great state of Delaware, doesn’t it? What the heck is going on in that state?!!
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Yeah, well, I worked there for more than 4 years. Not a moment too soon it seems 🙂
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Dear me. Thank heavens, you got away before it was too late! [That question is just plain disturbing.]
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I had to look – the qustion from my state, North Carolina is “How to be awesome?” and Californians want to know how to spot a narcissist – such a thing to have to worry about. It sounds like your fellow Ohioans really are expecting the collapse of civilization.
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bobcabkings, NC wants to be awesome, eh? From visiting there I kind of thought y’all had that nailed. As for CA and narcissism, they go together like PB and jelly. I, too, wonder about my fellow Ohioans ulterior motives when researching this question. No explaining it.
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Leave to us in PA to want to know how to defeat ISIS. I think fire could be helpful in that effort….maybe once Ohio figures it out, we can team up!
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LMAO on that one, lorrie. I think you’re onto something with that idea. Good one. 🙂
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“my fellow Ohioans often baffle me”–Haha, I’m with you there.
What an interesting map. I’ve googled Maine’s question before, and Google was kind enough to provide an answer that worked. 🙂
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Carrie, I re-read this map when I first saw it because I couldn’t believe what I saw. Oy vey. Ohio is a bit out of touch. Now as for Maine, their question seems gentile and useful in these modern days. Better than what they’re up to in Delaware.
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Haha, yes, I agree!
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I totally believe the practicality of my Washington State question, but some (most) of the others are just crazy!
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Deb, I agree that Washington State has it going on. Are you accepting displaced Ohioans who believe in practicality and know what century we are living in?
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Of course Ally, we accept anyone. No walls or closed borders here…although we do have that country Canada to the north we have to watch out for… 😉
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😉
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I’d say the folks in Kansas are giving your fellow Ohioans a run for their money as they seem to ask how to find the actual state they’re living in. What in the world…please tell me that some of the questions are taken out of context…smh.
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Dana, I saw that Kansas question and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I believe they are merely getting directions to give to their relatives when family comes to visit. The Kansas folks are worried that no one will find them, so they want to have proof positive that the state does indeed exist! 😉
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Yeah, lets go with that. Lol.
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Some of those questions are very disturbing!
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Joanne, yes they are. And some of the questions are so benign like Louisiana’s “how to pickle eggs.” Now that’s nice.
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I’m over here in How to be awesome. The answer, of course, is to always stay classy. 🙂
I am however concerned about the question: “How to get away with murder?” I am hoping that particular state just really likes the show and isn’t actually trying to do real life research.
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Allie P, aren’t you the most classy awesome person! Good answer. I, too, wonder about a whole state that’s interested in finding out how to get away with murder. Not planning a vacay there any time soon. 😉
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What a fun map! Colorado’s question makes great sense for the Rocky Mountan High state!
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nancy, CO’s got it going on, for sure. But OH suggests we are a little behind the times. 0.o
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I also love NJ’s question . . .
And having lived in SC for 3 years during law school, its question makes great sense as well. SC has cockroaches they affectionately call Palmetto Bugs.
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NJ kind of makes this map all the more relevant. Personally my fave question is Louisiana: “how to pickle eggs.” Now there’s a question that reminds me of days gone by.
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Wait a sec… Ohio is the home of the Ohio Blue Tip Match Company; why would they need to figure out how to make fire? I mean, you can srike those just about anywhere. I used to light them off my zipper…
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John, I didn’t know [or remember?] that Blue Tip matches were made here. I remember my dad lighting those matches off his coat zipper. Or sometimes a brick wall. That all being said, your observation makes me wonder even more about Ohio’s question. How dim are we? 😉
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I guess strike-anywhere matches have been banned by Federal law. https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080928145029AAQLU0x
They’re no fun…
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Huh. Didn’t know any of this. Time marches on & uses a Bic lighter now. 😀
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I would much rather have your question, than my state’s, which is appropriate, but terrifying as H*LL.
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Margaret, I see your point. No one wants an earthquake, but at least your state is asking a question that is current. In Ohio? We’re still working on the basics.
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Being from NJ I can say I have asked myself that question quite often lately. I may have even Googled it….😳
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Nancy, yes your state’s question is timely. One that I wish all of the USA would ask, then follow through on.
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You said it!
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I’ve seen plenty of strange “how to” questions show up in my blog’s search log, but none like these. I guess I should start looking into how I’m going to sell all my Beanie Babies…
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evilsquirrel13, I know. These questions are fascinating and random. Perhaps you’re sitting on a nest egg with those Beanie Babies?!! 😉
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I love that California has “How to spot a narcissist.” My guess is this one might be connected to the presidential election.
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Bun, I think you’re onto something with that thought. Narcissism has been the subtext of this whole presidential election.
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Reading the comments here is always so much fun! As for my state, I’ve always kind of wanted to have a few chickens. Not very practical at the moment but it seems to be a common goal amongst my people. Once you Ohioans figure out fire, maybe we can get together.
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Zazzy, I’m glad you enjoy the comments. I do too. I think you’re onto a good idea about your chickens meeting our fire. Got any BBQ sauce?
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Being an original Ohioan, I had to check this post out. I gotta say, though, some of those other state questions are way worse and incredibly funny. Thank you for the laughs!
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Parenting Is Funny, I got a big kick out of these questions, too. Some are so serious while others are more practical or cartoonesque. Don’t know what any of it means, but it sure made me smile.
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Agreed. Same here. That Delaware one, though. Yikes. What’s wrong with that state?
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I know. Scared me a little bit, too. Now figuring out how to be a ninja, I can understand. 🙂
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Oh definitely. They are the closest to Japan, so I can see the interest being greater there. But truly, that should be the top question in every state. The MN one of how to quilt made me smile b/c my MIL in MN quilts.
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No kidding, she quilts?! How perfect. That’s sweet.
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And you’d think my husband was from Alabama. Kidding!! 🙂
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lol.
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