.jpg) APackers fan wearing a Cheesehead hat | |
| Origin/etymology | Sports |
|---|---|
| Meaning |
|
| Original form | Derogatory term, now a common nickname |
| Context | Wisconsin is "America's Dairyland" |
Cheesehead is a nickname in the United States for a person fromWisconsin. The nickname is used for supporters of theGreen Bay Packers, anAmerican football team in theNational Football League (NFL) based in theGreen Bay, Wisconsin; it is also the name of cheese-shaped foam hats that supporters of the team wear. Wisconsin is well-known for itsdairy industry and is called "America's Dairyland". The use of the term "cheesehead" in America originated withIllinois sports fans, who used it to derogatorily describeWisconsin sports fans. Cheesehead as a derogatory term has an older history in Europe, with German soldiers mocking Dutch people by calling themkaaskop, which translates to "cheese head".Kaaskop is now considered a profanity and is used to refer to someone as stupid or dense.
Even with its derogatory history, the term was reappropriated and embraced by Wisconsinites, especially fans of the Packers. In the 1990s, cheesehead hats, made out of foam in the shape of a cheese wedge, became popular in the Wisconsin sports scene, especially for Packers' supporters. The hats were created and sold by a company called Foamation, who owned a trademark for the term "cheesehead". The Packers purchased Foamation in 2023, making the cheesehead hat and related memorabilia official merchandise.
Wisconsin is associated with cheese because the state historically produced moredairy products than other American states, giving it the nickname "America's Dairyland".[1][2] The use of the term "Cheesehead" as a derogatory word for Wisconsinites originated withIllinoisfootball andbaseball fans to refer to opposing Wisconsin sports fans. The term, however, was quickly embraced by Wisconsinites and is now a point of pride.[3]
DuringWorld War II, German soldiers mockingly referred to the Dutch as cheeseheads because of theNetherlands' extensive dairy farming industry. TheDutch termkaaskop, literally "cheese head", is considered aprofanity to refer to a person as stupid or dense.[4]
In the 1969 novelPapillon, the term was used to describe the unsophisticated jurors who voted to convict the main character.[5]
Rose Bruno first saw a cardboard "Cheesehead" hat at aMilwaukee Brewers vs.Chicago White Sox game in Chicago in 1987 worn by fellow Milwaukeean Amerik Wojciechowski.[6][7] Ralph Bruno later made the first one out of foam while he was cutting up his mother's couch. It was made popular by centerfielderRick Manning, who saw the hat while playing.[8][9] Bruno started a multi-million-dollar business to sell the hats asnovelties. The "Cheesehead" trademark is owned by Foamation, Inc. ofSt. Francis, Wisconsin, which began manufacture of the wearable, foam "Cheesehead" in 1987.[10] Along with the original Cheesehead "wedge", Foamation has made other similar "cheese" apparel, including baseball caps, cowboy hats, and earrings. In 2023, Bruno sold Foamation to the Green Bay Packers, making the Cheesehead official Packers merchandise.[11][12]
The Cheesehead gained attention in 1995, when Packers fan Frank Emmert Jr. was flying on a private plane back to Wisconsin after attending a Packers game against theCleveland Browns and the plane crashed due to ice accumulation. Emmert suffered a broken ankle and other minor injuries but was saved from further serious injury when he used his Cheesehead for protection in the crash.[13] In 2013, sports fans of Chicago replied to their rivals by wearingcheese graters.[14]
Cheesehead hats have evolved beyond sports to become a cultural and political symbol of Wisconsin. Notably, Wisconsin delegates wore Cheesehead hats at both the2024 Republican National Convention[15][16] and the2024 Democratic National Convention[17][18] to represent their state.
Wisconsin – America's Dairyland, The Badger State ... The Copper State ...
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