Saying "the" with ride names

I went to coaster mania Friday and noticed how annoying it can get when numerous people keep saying "the" along with ride's names. Half the people we talked to have said it and kept saying it. It's a pet peeve of mine. why do people say it? I thought it was just a newbie thing, but coaster enthusiasts do it too.

Maybe they all went to "The Ohio State University"

The Steve, you make a good point. ;)

So the answer to the question you posted in the thread is a very complicated one. The truth is if you don't know the real truth behind the, then you will be left in the past with the raptors.

It's a midwestern thing. Seriously.

^Yep. Here in Chicago, we go The Jewel on the way to The Walgreens. In Michigan, we'd go to the Meijer's.

NOOO! "The Meijer's"?? What is this nonsense? It's *Meijer*. Michigan born and raised, so it's not everyone.

Yea, I've never said "the" Meijer. If it was "Meijer's super store", then it'd feel better saying "the". I'm no english major but I'd like to know if it is indeed incorrect or unnecessary to say "the" in front of a proper noun like Millennium Force or Maverick. Does it boil down to how it's used in the sentence?

"I'll meet you at Maverick." vs "I'll meet you at the Maverick."

"Tonight's ert is on the Top Thrill Dragster." vs "Tonight's ert is on Top Thrill Dragster."

I dunno, The Adam, is it necessary or correct? :)

Sadly, yes, when I lived in Michigan, I did hear people say "Let's go to The Meijer's".

I blame it on Ohio and "THE" ohio state university...

I know it's an Ohio thing, for sure.

When I was at Kings Island for media day I was in line for Banshee and there was a guy and his son behind me in line. The entire time he spoke lines to his son like "We're gonna come back to The Banshee later" "Oh, it looks like The Delerium is about to open". I wonder why The Drop Zone ain't running?" "Wanna go on The Invertigo later?" After twenty minutes with this guy I was about to scream like The Banshee.

Here in Columbus many of us say the Meijers, the WalMarts, the Krogers, the White Castles, etc, and I'll admit I do it too sometimes. I'm especially sensitive about when amusement rides are involve, though. I can think of a couple of examples where the annoying habit is legit. The Beast and The Bat. Or if a ride's name is also a type of ride, like the Wild Mouse. That's is. Please stop.

:-)

I'm from Ohio and I never say "the" with proper nouns.

It's better than calling them things like Maggie or Millie.

Too soon?

Oh, "The Bat" and "The Beast" bother me. It's not bad enough when people add "the", the park had to do it for you. Now are people going to call them "The The Bat" and "The The Beast"? ;)

"Let's go ride the MaxAir." That just sounds really weird.

It seems like it only sounds okay with certain rides like the Mean Streak or the Millennium Force. Pretty sure I don't do this, but I've never really noticed... I'm sure I will now!

...I do this. I do this all the time. I didn't realize it was a faux-pas. XD

Though, thanks to you guys, I now know that Ohio does, in fact, have a dialect. I've lived here all my life and I've never noticed it until it was just now pointed out, because everybody ELSE I know does it.

I was born and raised in Ohio, and I never use "the" with a proper noun nor have I heard others use it. I only hear the nuts from "The OSU" use it.

Born and raised in Ohio as well and I don't do it and I don't really hear others do it. The only time I hear it is at Cedar Point.

Count me among the long-time natives of Michigan who have never heard anyone say "the Meijer".