Where did the nickname North Cackalacky come from?

The Old North State. The Tar Heel State. The Superior Carolina. While NC has many official and unofficial nicknames, we’ve always had a fondness for North Cackalacky — and its variants like Cackalacka and North Cack.

While North Cackalacky has been mentioned in hip hop songs and even serves as the brand name of sauces, coffees + snacks, there are no clear answers to the term’s origins, which can be traced back to 1937.

Here’s what we discovered — one hypothesis traces the nickname to the rhythmic chant “clanka lanka” associated with a cappella gospel songs in the American South, circa the 1930s. Another theory considers the term to be an Americanization of “kakerlake,” the German word for cockroach.

Yet another muses that cackalacky is a blend of Cherokee + Scottish words: “tsalaki” (pronounced cha-lak-ee) and “cockaleekie,” a Scottish soup.

According to WFDD, UNC Chapel Hill Professor Emeritus Paul Jones first heard the term used in the 1960s by military members who were stationed here.

Other scholars say it was likely created as a term to parody the ways of native rural North Carolinians.

While we may never know the term’s true origins, we love how it’s been embraced by NC natives + enthusiasts as a positive term.

#MUSTDO

Today

Tai Chi in the Park | Tues., Sept. 7 | 6–7 p.m. | NCMA | $12+ | Learn the art of Tai Chi while spending a relaxing evening outdoors surrounded by nature. 🌳
City Council Afternoon Session | Tues., Sept. 7 | 1–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The public can watch the Raleigh City Council meet to handle city-related business such as speed limit reductions, bids + rezoning requests.
Short Story Discussion | Tues., Sept. 7 | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Engage in this librarian-led discussion on the short story “Introduction” by America Fererra from the book “American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures.” 📚

Wednesday

Wellness Wednesdays | Wed., Sept. 8 | 5–7 p.m. | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal at N. Hills St. | $5 | Drop in to this fitness class by MADabolic focused on exercising the whole body. 💪
City Soul Cafe Open Mic | Wed., Sept. 8 | 7:30–9 p.m. | Transfer Co. Food Hall | Free | Join the community for a night of poetry, spoken word + live music. 🎤

Friday

The Best of North Hills | Fri., Sept. 10 | 5–9 p.m. | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal at N. Hills St. | $10 | The Best of North Hills has returned with their comeback series filled with live music by The Shakedown. 🎶

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE SEPTEMBER EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

88º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Now Open

Zweli’s Cafe has opened a new location on Duke University’s West Campus serving authentic Zimbabwean cuisine. The cafe is offering Grab-N-Go + hot meals Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. — with vegan and vegetarian options. Find Zweli’s located at 407 Chapel Dr. in Durham. 🍽

Coming Soon

Charlotte Russell Contemporary is opening a new location in the Five Points neighborhood. The inaugural exhibition — “Color Interactions” — will feature photo sculptures by Durham-based artist Mar Hester + abstract paintings by Raleigh-based artist Wiley Johnson. The gallery is hosting a grand opening celebration Tues., Sept. 28 from 5-8 p.m. 🎨

Development

Property Income Advisors Inc. unveiled plans to transform a 2-building complex in Northeast Raleigh. The property, located at 4924 Green Rd., was purchased by Hamad Alhomaizi of Milena USA LLC in 2019. Plans include internal + external renovations to both buildings and is slated for completion next year. (Triangle Business Journal)

List

We’re less than a month away from the first day of fall (Wed., Sept. 22) — and we can hardly wait. Triangle on the Cheap put together a list of fall festivals in the Triangle-area, including Triangle Oktoberfest on Fri., Oct. 1-2 and Artsplosure on Oct. 9-10. 🍂
Based on reader feedback, Raleigh Convergence compiled a list of 5 Raleigh-area hidden gems to visit — including JC Raulston Arboretum and Saint Agnes Hospital. Click here to read RALtoday’s convo on the history of Saint Agnes hospital.

Cause

SC-based 501C3 nonprofit The Greenlaw Foundation is raising funds through individual + community donations to help support struggling veterans. Donations are tax deductible and can help change the lives of veterans in need. Ⓟ

Finance

This no annual fee cash back credit card has a wildly easy $200 bonus offer after spending $500 in the first 3 months. (Read: That's like getting 40% cashback on your next $500 spent.) Bonus: 0% interest on purchases for 15 months. Ⓟ

📸 @NCZoo

This might be the best thing you see all day — Red River Hogs playing with a tiny pumpkin. You can see these pigs at the NC Zoo in Asheboro (~1.5 hours from Raleigh) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily + tickets start at $11.

Want to learn more about these animals? Click here to watch the NC Zoo’s video on Red River Hogs.

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THE WRAP

RALcurrent: Carly is sipping on a pumpkin spice latte from Benelux Coffee + Laura can’t wait for the Jubala Coffee location to open in North Hills soon.

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