Today, someone asked me definition of “stateside”. I don’t have a clue.
Do any of the great minds on here know the offical definition?
When I was a Marine, stateside meant being physically in the US.
The definition, on several sites, states that it is the 48 contiguous states. That doesn’t mean that Hawaii or Alaska aren’t states, they just aren’t considered when you say “stateside”.
The term stateside was started by GIs during WWII. It meant being in - returning to the US. Being on the (United) States’ side of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. At that time there were 48 states, so there is a misconception that stateside refers only to the lower 48.
Since then two more states have joined the Union. Stateside, by the original concept, means being in - returning to any and all of the United States of America.
It’s also known, by those in the military, as “The Land of the Big PX.”
Thank you for your service TAP!
For me, stateside equals CONUS (Continental United States) defined variously as either the 48 contiguous states, or the 48 plus Alaska (since it is technically on the continent). The idea being that it excludes holdings and territories. If you served in the military, you were technically on US soil any time you were on base (Guam, for example). However, it made a big difference if the US soil was “stateside.” 
If I was in Hawaii, and about to go home, I’d say I was going stateside. If I was in Alaska, I’d say I was going to the lower 48.
And people from Hawaii say when I get back to the islands, not when I get back stateside.
Does that include Rhode Island?
;D Nice one. I know where Gilligans island is but have yet to find this Rhode Island ;) You get up way too early to mess with.
Why you stay RI now?
Yep, I stay one mainlander now. I wen grew up oahu
Actually if you were in Alaska you’d say you were going Outside.
- Scott
I get the “where in New York is that?” thing all the time when I tell people I’m from RI. For some reason people always confuse it with Long Island.
you just need to use the whole name!
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
The smallest state and the longest name.
The you would get “Plantations? Where is that, Virginia?”
An easy mistake to make. Long Island is bigger.