1

Long Tom

Image: Richard Hedrick

This nickname refers to a Founding Father, one of our nation's earliest presidents, famously born in Virginia. Author of the Declaration of Independence, he also oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Monticello was his home, now a museum and historical site. You know who we're talking about, don't you?

2

Grand Wrestler

Image: Fiona Murray-deGraaff

This is certainly a powerful nickname, right? And it was attributed to a great man who led our nation during the Civil War. Author of the famous Gettysburg Address , he is also famous for having issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. His beard and stovepipe hat are forever etched in our memory. What's your guess?

3

American Fabius

Image: Matt Briney

Quintus Fabius Maximus was a Roman general known for his astute strategies during the Punic Wars. In honour of that general and for the clever tactics he deployed during a conflict in our country's history, one of our presidents earned the nickname "American Fabius". He was also nicknamed "The father of his country." Do you know who we are referring to?

4

The Human Iceberg

Image: Annie Spratt

This nickname may seem a bit harsh, perhaps even exaggerated. "The Human Iceberg" was given to our 23rd president, who led the country from 1889 to 1893, due to his rather stiff and reserved demeanor.

Before becoming president, this commander-in-chief served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and he was also the grandson of a former president! Do you know who he is?

5

Old Man Eloquent

Image: Tim Mossholder

The man who was known as "Old Man Eloquent" not only served as president, but also served in the US House of Representatives for nearly 17 years. Before becoming president, he helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. Additionally, he was the son of the 2nd president of the United States!

6

His Little Majesty

Image: rupixen

This is another nickname that points to physical features, and we could say it was not used with the best intentions. However, this president was also proudly known as the "Father of the Constitution." In addition, he served two consecutive terms and led the country through the War of 1812. If you want to know who he is, keep reading!

7

Long Tom: Thomas Jefferson

Image: Alicia Razuri

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of our country, was very tall, a feature that earned him the nickname "Long Tom." He was 6' 2'', making him one of the tallest presidents in US history. According to descriptions from the time, President Jefferson was well-proportioned, and his height was above average compared to his contemporaries. Did you know that?

8

Grand Wrestler: Abraham Lincoln

Image: Ed Fr

At 6' 4'', Abraham Lincoln was slightly taller than Thomas Jefferson, but his nickname "Grand Wrestler" came not from his height but from his impressive wrestling skills. That's right! As a young man, the 16th US President was a fantastic wrestler, and his athleticism and physical toughness were outstanding qualities even in his later years.

9

American Fabius: George Washington

Image: Priscilla Gyamfi

Before becoming the 1st president of the United States, George Washington served as the Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was known for his clever, strategic use of attrition, avoiding massive battles and conserving troops, a tactic that contributed enormously to the American victory.

He earned the nickname "American Fabius" because his techniques resembled those of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus, who fought against Hannibal's Carthaginian forces during the Second Punic War.

10

The Human Iceberg: Benjamin Harrison

Image: René DeAnda

Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, earned the nickname "The Human Iceberg" due to his reserved and formal character in both political and social interactions. However, despite this rather harsh nickname, many admired his seriousness and intellect.

11

Old Man Eloquent: John Quincy Adams

Image: Larry Ferreira

You were right! "Old Man Eloquent" is the nickname given to John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, who was also the son of the 2nd president, John Adams.

As we mentioned, he served in the US House of Representatives for 17 years, and it was during that time that his excellent oratory skills and great speeches truly stood out, earning him this peculiar yet favorable alias.

12

His Little Majesty: James Madison

Image: Richard Hedrick

Unlike Lincoln and Jefferson, James Madison was known for his short stature. His 5' 4'' made him the shortest president in US history and earned him the nickname "His Little Majesty".

Initially used by his adversaries, the moniker later took on a more humorous and even affectionate tone, with the word "Majesty" emphasizing Madison's strong and important role in shaping our nation.

1

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Image: Paul IJsendoorn

Technically, pronghorns are not true antelopes , but try telling that to early settlers. This stunning slot canyon was named in their honor.

Winding through the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, its entrance was once grazed by herds of pronghorns gracefully navigating the red rock terrain. Although the original inhabitants have mostly been scared away, the beautiful landscape remains.

2

Buffalo, New York

Image: Pixabay

Despite the name, no actual buffalo roam here—only football fans in snow boots. There are several theories about the origin of the name: some say it comes from the French beau fleuve ("beautiful river"), while others insist early settlers mistook bison sightings for true buffalo .

Either way, the city still honors the animal’s spirit through bronze statues, sports teams, and, of course, Buffalo wings.

3

White Salmon, Washington

Image: Drew Farwell

White Salmon, Washington. This charming town above the Columbia River Gorge got its name from an unusual fish tale. In 1805, Lewis and Clark spotted pale-colored Chinook salmon swimming upstream and named the White Salmon River, which later lent its name to the town.

The white salmon themselves are rare spring sightings, but the name stuck, like a good fishing story.

4

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Image: Jonathan Cooper

No, they didn’t find woolly mammoth bones here. The name "Mammoth" refers to the size , not the species, of this mind-bending cave system. With over 400 miles explored, this south-central Kentucky cave is the largest known cave system on Earth.

5

Eagle River, Alaska & Wisconsin

Image: Greg Johnson

Two towns, one majestic bird , and a very straightforward name. In Alaska, Eagle River sits just outside Anchorage, where bald eagles actually soar overhead—and sometimes steal a salmon right out of your hands.

In Wisconsin, Eagle River offers a quieter charm: a hub for lake lovers and snowmobilers who know how often the eagle motif appears on murals, signs, and T-shirts.

6

Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado

Image: Deepak Adhikari

The name alone sounds like it belongs in a Western, and the real place doesn’t disappoint. This high mountain pass in southern Colorado winds its way through the San Juan Mountains, where wolves once prowled the slopes .

Though they’ve long been gone from the area, the name remains, also immortalized in a song by C.W. McCall.

7

Pelican Bay, Florida

Image: J Dean

This coastal enclave near Naples is all palm trees, golf carts, and private beaches, but yes, there are still pelicans.

Big, slightly clumsy, and oddly charming , they’re often seen gliding above the Gulf waters or crash-landing into the surf. The bay itself is a protected estuary, and the birds serve as unofficial greeters.

8

Moose, Wyoming

Image: Danika Perkinson

If you were to walk around the area, you’d understand why this town got its name: actual moose wander here. Just outside Grand Teton National Park, the scenic town of Moose offers ranger stations, cozy lodges, and the occasional 1,200-pound mammal chewing shrubs near the parking lot.

9

Fox River, Illinois & Wisconsin

Image: David Gomez

This river wasn’t named directly after the clever creature, but after the Fox (Meskwaki) Native American tribe . The winding river flows more than 200 miles, passing through Midwest towns, bike trails, and history-rich spots

Today, statues, murals, and local school mascots keep the fox theme alive, although you’re unlikely to spot a red fox along the riverbanks these days.

10

Bear Lake, Utah & Idaho

Image: Megan Nixon

This turquoise lake marks the Utah–Idaho border and was named after, you guessed it, actual bears.

Grizzly and black bears once roamed the surrounding area, though nowadays you’re more likely to spot jet skis than paw prints. Locals call it the "Caribbean of the Rockies," thanks to its unique limestone-rich, electric-blue waters.

11

Cougar, Washington

Image: Leah Huyghe

Cougar, a tiny town in southwestern Washington, gets its name from the sleek mountain lions that once roamed the thick forests nearby. The area is best known for its proximity to Mount St. Helens. A post office called "Cougar" was established there in the early 1900s, and the unincorporated community followed soon after.

12

Coyote, California

Image: Kaylin Pacheco

In what is now Silicon Valley, Coyote was once a standalone ranch town named for the clever canines that run across the hills.

While coyotes still prowl the region—occasionally crashing backyard barbecues—the town itself has been mostly absorbed into San Jose. Still, the name lingers in road signs, local parks, and historic maps.

13

Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania

Image: Frank Cone

High above the Appalachian ridges of eastern Pennsylvania, Hawk Mountain is a sanctuary. It was transformed into the world’s first refuge for birds of prey in the 1930s.

Today, birdwatchers flock here every fall to witness thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons gliding overhead. There’s no town—just trails and sky.

1

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

Image: Aman

Los Angeles’ hellish traffic is world-famous and every experienced driver in this city has her or his own shortcuts to save time. But this one is a universal one for sure.

When driving through Hollywood, never take Hollywood Boulevard . Take, instead, Franklin or Fountain to get around the tourist mayhem. And, if you want to avoid the awful traffic of a Hollywood Bowl show, try Mulholland Drive.

2

Getting to the airport in Los Angeles, California

Image: Lukas Souza

Nobody likes missing a flight. Or, at least, most of us don’t care for that particular situation. And, when driving in the terrible Los Angeles traffic, that possibility is always looming in the background.

A sound advice from frequent flyers is to avoid the freeway altogether and take Crescent Heights until it dead-ends. Then, drive through La Cienaga to La Tijera all the way to the symbols that point to the airport.

3

Leaving New York is never easy, New York City, New York

Image: Matteo Catanese

Caught at the right time, New York City traffic can be as bad as LA traffic. And, as it usually happens, commute hours are the worst. The endless crowds and vehicles getting in and out of Manhattan through the different bridges and tunnels can create some serious delays.

Brooklyn Bridge, George Washington Bridge, and the Lincoln Tunnel are some of the most congested routes during rush hours. So, if you have no other options, make sure to schedule extra time just in case the traffic is as bad as it can be.

4

I-95, Miami, Florida

Image: Baron Alloway

Another city with legendary traffic is, without a doubt, Miami. And, as usual, commute hours can be a nightmare. I-95 is a major Interstate Highway on the East Coast and the Miami section is usually very congested . If you are trying to go south from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or north from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., you have to expect delays, since those are the peak times for commuters who work downtown.

The High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes run from north of Miami to north Dade. You can only enter these lanes before 112/I-95 and you can only get off at the Golden Glades exit. Don’t take these lanes if you are trying to go anywhere between downtown and Northwest 183rd Street as there are no exits. Also, HOT lanes only accept SunPass as payment.

5

Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Image: Neal Kharawala

Continuing with another one of the monster-traffic cities of America, we can’t avoid the Windy City. Locals say that the city has two seasons: winter and construction , as the number of blocked streets, avenues, and roads can be nerve-wracking.

A shortcut locals use when driving through Lake Shore Drive to get off on Michigan Ave, heading southbound with a final destination past Illinois Ave, is to take Inner Lake Shore Drive and avoid the heavy congestion on Michigan Ave, as well as the occasional standstills on southbound Lake Shore Drive.

6

San Felipe instead of Westheimer, Houston, Texas

Image: Kevin Hernandez

Houston locals are familiar with busy Westheimer Avenue and know better than to fall into its trap during rush hour. They’d get stuck between multiple METRO bus routes, potholes, and never-ending construction sites.

The savvy drivers instead use San Felipe to get downtown or to the Galleria in a much shorter time.

7

Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, Phoenix, Arizona

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Even the widest highway will become congested once everyone finds out about it. We are looking at you, Los Angeles. But, for a while at least, new roads offer a smooth and quiet ride to the lucky few who discover them first.

This is the case with Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. The 22-mile-long portion of the Valley beltway from 59th Avenue on the west side to Ahwatukee , which opened in late 2019, is a smooth drive. Rolling through a part of the Valley unspoiled by development, this freeway has light traffic and no, or very few, holes –for now.

8

San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California

Image: Justin Wolff

It may seem calmer compared to neighboring Los Angeles, but San Diego can have its traffic congestion, like any big city. Getting to the airport on time is always paramount and locals have tricks up their sleeves for this ride.

Drivers can take Washington Street to Pacific Highway and get to the airport that way, or they can also take Pacific Highway north to Barnett, then Lytton, then Rosecrans, then Nimitz, which can be better than going through Sassafras if there’s traffic.

9

LBJ interchange, Dallas, Texas

Image: Zack Brame

Dallas, Texas, is a major city with major traffic jams during rush hours. Trying to get to the LBJ interchange can be a recipe for disaster if you are in a hurry but there is a shortcut that can save quite some time.

If you are on the Central Expressway, you can get off at Coit Road , which will allow you to bypass the interchange. Instead, you'll wind around a corner and find yourself right back at the entrance ramps for LBJ. From there, you just wait for a light and merge back onto LBJ, having skipped over the whole mess.

10

I-35 alternatives, Austin, Texas

Image: MJ Tangonan

Texas’ hippest city, Austin has some major highways, including the I-35, Mopac Expressway (Loop 1), and Highway 183. These big highways can cause big delays if taken from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

But the city provides alternatives. Lamar Boulevard and Burnet Road provide time-saving options for I-35 . During rush hour and special events, knowing these lesser-used routes can save time.