We’ve All Been Saying This Popular Montana Mascot’s Name Wrong

How have we messed up this iconic mascot's name for so long and didn't know the reality?

Mascots not only provide excitement for their product, business, or team but a recognizable face. Some of the most popular mascots are associated with brands or sports teams.

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Montana loves a good mascot. We know the names of the beloved mascots for the University of Montana and Montana State University, known as Monte and Champ. We grew up on these mascots and will always know their names. They are simple, easy, and fun.

One mascot has been a source of good choices and safety for many years, and we have just learned we have been mispronouncing his name for decades.

One of the most recognizable cultural icons of the past several decades has been Smokey the Bear. Smokey's iconic slogan is Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires. Smokey wants folks to make sure their campsites are safe with their campfires and safety steps to take before they leave. Plus, Smokey has signs all over the Western United States displaying the fire danger for the area.

That's why this revelation is wild. For decades, I have been calling him Smokey The Bear, the only problem his name is Smokey Bear. Even though my friends, families, and colleagues have been calling him Smokey The Bear our whole lives, there has never been a the in his name.

How did we miss this for years? I feel like my life has been a lie. It's like learning Ronald McDonald's real last name is Smith or something else. I blame the song from the 1950s.

Smokey Bear has been a crucial part is wilderness and fire safety for years, and now I have to find a way to say his name without the extra word. It will be hard to break, but I think I can manage.

For more details, check out Smokey Bear.