Cities Are Asking Citizens to Officially Name Their Snowplows and The Suggestions Are a Pun-Tastic Riot

Fun activities like ski trips and making snowmen come to our minds when temperatures fall below the freezing point during winter months. It is also the time when US states and cities put on their best pun hats to compete in snow plow naming contests. Some of the names which made it to the top of the game will leave you in splits! 

The South Dakota Department of Transportation announced that it would be officially naming 12 snowplows for the 2022-2023 winter season, reports TODAY. In the 2020-2021 season, names like "Mt. Plowmore," "Winter Warrior," and "Frosty the Snowplow" were selected as official winners of the competition.

Joel Jund, the state's transportation secretary, said: "The contest was designed to engage people across the state with the SDDOT in a creative way. Safety on our roadways is our number one priority, and snowplow operation and winter driving awareness are vital to keeping people safe."

This year, Bostonians from public elementary and middle school classrooms participated in local competitions and submitted winning names. Gina Fiandaca, Massachusetts Transportation Secretary and CEO, issued a statement about this year's snowplow contest, which was the state's first collaboration with school students.

"In addition to recognizing the schools that submitted winning names, this contest also strengthens the connection MassDOT has with communities across the Commonwealth," she said. "Flurry Fighter," "Plower Ranger," and "Sled Zeppelin," are the names that won this year. 

Residents in Erie County, New York, voted on names submitted by children under the age of 18 and adults. Snowbi Wan Kenobi, Plowasaurus Rex, Chicken Plow Mein, and Brr-ito are some of the highlights from the under-18 category. The adult category included suggestions such as The Big Leplowski, Fast and Furious, and Plowey McPlowface.

America isn't the only country to make a game out of naming inanimate objects. Back in 2016, the British public voted to name a nearly $300 million research ship RRS Boaty McBoatface.

"I'm thrilled to begin this fun and exciting naming process for our vitally important fleet of snow vehicles," said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot when she announced the first-ever city-wide competition in December, per ABC News. Nearly 17,000 residents voted to name seven snowplows after iconic Chicago locations and weather, such as the Sears Plower and Sleet Home Chicago. "Austin Plowers," "Better Call Salt," "O-Plow Winfrey," "Chance the Scraper," "LollaPLOWlooza," "Benny the Bull-izzard," and "The Plowminator" were some of the final contenders. 

In Madison, Wisconsin, residents debated what to name the city's newest plows, which included a loader with a double-wing plow truck, a quad-axle brine truck, and a double-wing plow truck. Naming plows seems to be a great way to keep spirits warm during the biting cold. If you had to name a snow plow, what would your suggestion be?