This partial list of city nicknames in South Dakota compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities and towns in South Dakota are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1]Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves and adopting new slogans.[2]
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
^Reader's Report: Good Ol' Cast IronArchived 2008-12-04 at the Wayback Machine, Farmer's Almanac Television, April 2005, accessed April 22, 2007. "Whet your "rhubarb appetite" and watch for Jodi's report and recipes from Leola's Rhubarb Days. This town of 500 is the Rhubarb Capital of the World!"