The Great Long Island Debate: Why We Say On Long Island (Not In)

Every Long Islander knows it: you don’t live in Long Island. You live on Long Island.

So when a new local snack brand hit shelves called Born in Long Island Popcorn, it stirred up more than just kernels. Long Islanders flooded social media with jokes, quips, and playful outrage.

“People live on islands,” one commenter wrote. “Bond villains live in islands.”

The company took it in stride, even adding a note to their website saying, “We get it. ‘On’ is the Long Island way.” And while the popcorn may taste great, the name sparked an old debate that just won’t go away.

The Popcorn That Sparked the Conversation

Born in Long Island Popcorn launched in 2024 as a homegrown snack brand with organic, simple ingredients. But instead of just talking about the flavors, people were talking about the name.

Long Islanders take pride in the little things that make us who we are — and how we talk is a big part of that. For many, hearing “Born in Long Island” felt like nails on a chalkboard.

And so, a popcorn bag became the latest symbol of one of our favorite local arguments.

Why Long Islanders Say “On” Instead of “In”

The short answer is geography: Long Island is, after all, an island. Just like you’d say you live on Staten Island or on Martha’s Vineyard, here it’s always been on Long Island.

But it’s more than that. The phrasing is woven into the way we talk, passed down from parents to kids. Correcting someone who says “in” is almost a rite of passage.

Say it wrong, and you’ll hear about it — probably with a laugh and a little shake of the head.

It’s More Than Grammar. It’s Identity.

For locals, on Long Island isn’t just proper usage. It’s pride.

It marks you as one of us. It says: I grew up with summers at Jones Beach, traffic on the LIE, and bagels better than anywhere else in the country.

It’s not about winning the debate. It’s about belonging to a place with its own rhythm, flavor, and way of speaking.

Other Long Island Sayings That Outsiders Don’t Get

This popcorn debate isn’t the only one. Long Islanders have plenty of expressions outsiders never understand:

• “I’m going to the city.” Always Manhattan. Never Brooklyn. Never Queens.
• “The Island.” The only island we mean is this one.
• North Shore vs. South Shore. Not just geography — it’s personality.

It’s these quirks that make Long Island feel like home.

Why This Debate Will Never End (And That’s Okay)

Whether you’re laughing about the popcorn brand or correcting a friend who slips an “in” instead of “on,” this debate isn’t going anywhere. And truthfully? That’s the point.

It’s part of what keeps Long Island’s identity alive.

So while Born in Long Island Popcorn may have misstepped with its name, it succeeded in something even more important: sparking a conversation that reminded us how fiercely — and playfully — we protect our culture.

And at the end of the day, the popcorn is still local, still made by Long Islanders, and still worth a try.

So Tell Us… Are You On or In Long Island?

Drop your answer in the comments of this post — we know you’ve got an opinion.

And if you’re a local business with a story to tell, we’d love to feature you on Love Local Long Island. Get the details here and share your story.