Washington - state or city come to mind first? (residents, people)

[bruhms]

Context matters.

[LexusNexus]

Before I moved to CA, Washington state was never mentioned, and "Washington" always referred to the city. I lived in the Midwest, Northeast, and moved here from the DC area.

After living in CA now, when Washington is mentioned, it almost always refers to the state, but I have to pay closer attention to the context of the conversation.

[annaniem]

I live in the Netherlands. On the news it is almost always about D.C. so that will come in my mind first. But I did visit the state, really loved Mt. Rainier and Olympic NP, and saw only Washington International Airport as a hub to get elsewhere. So i know there is a state called Washington but that isn't common knowledge overhere.

[kidphilly]

generally would think of the city first, but also some context

Here if I heard someone say heading down to washington for the weekend it is simple, but then again being about 2 hours away here that makes more sense than elsewhere

I have asked at times to clarify when only washington is given As Jersey girl said earlier it is not uncommon to here the city referenced as DC or Washington, even to a lessor extent the district

[JerseyGirl415]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

generally would think of the city first, but also some context

Here if I heard someone say heading down to washington for the weekend it is simple, but then again being about 2 hours away here that makes more sense than elsewhere

I have asked at times to clarify when only washington is given As Jersey girl said earlier it is not uncommon to here the city referenced as DC or Washington, even to a lessor extent the district

Agree, and that is the exact type of situation I mean when I would say just "Washington" - like, "I'm heading down to Washington for the weekend." Simple. It does often depend on context I think. Also, when watching/referring to a Mets/Nats game, asking "Is the game in New York or in Washington?" That type of thing.

[EricNorthman]

Originally Posted by annaniem

I live in the Netherlands. On the news it is almost always about D.C. so that will come in my mind first. But I did visit the state, really loved Mt. Rainier and Olympic NP, and saw only Washington International Airport as a hub to get elsewhere. So i know there is a state called Washington but that isn't common knowledge overhere.

This is what I would expect to be normal for people outside the US. I think the capital would be much more well known than the state. Well, maybe those in western Canada, like in British Columbia and Alberta, would think of the state of Washington.

[hell_storm2004]

D.C. Capital takes precedence for me.

[David_J]

The state.

People where I live rarely refer to Washington DC as "Washington" - it's more commonly called "DC" or occasionally "the District", and I've also heard it used to refer to Washington County, MD. So when people say "Washington" the state comes to mind first.

[Bobloblawslawblog]

It's pretty obvious (to me at least) that people in the Eastern half of the nation are most likely going to think of the nation's capitol, whereas people out West are going to think of the state. It's a total "East-West" thing. And since there are more people living in the Eastern half of the nation than in the Western half, it stands to reason that D.C. is winning in this poll (not that C-D polls are typically accurate barometers of reality, but this one makes sense).

I grew up in Texas, and it went 50-50 either way there. Most people I knew said "D.C." when referring to the city though.

[Montguy]

I live in part of what is sometimes referred to as the "Greater Northwest", so Washington State is always what immediately comes to mind for me. Although "Washington" will usually refer to D.C. when used in the context of federal elections, it's often referred to here as just "D.C."