Tar Heel

Tar Heel is a nickname applied to the state and inhabitants of North Carolina, as well as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's athletic teams. The origin of the name is unknown and disputed, but most experts believe its roots come from the fact that tar, pitch and turpentine created from the pine forests were one of North Carolina's most important exports early in the state's history. North Carolina was nicknamed the "Tar and Turpentine State" because of this industry.