10 Vocabulary Words You Need To Know If You're Going To Live In Minnesota
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Being in the Midwest, Minnesota has a reputation for being similar to many other states in the region. Perhaps we all live on farms or enjoy shoveling snow six months out of the year. But the truth is, there are many things that set Minnesotans apart from people who live in other states. One of the most distinct? Our vocabulary. This list of 10 vocabulary words you need to know if you live in Minnesota proves just that.
You know, the fizzy beverage that goes great with a burger? We're well aware that people in other parts of the country call it soda or - strangely - coke. But we're here to stand up for anyone who calls the drink by its rightful name: pop.
Technically this is a phrase, but it's an important part of any Minnesotan's vocabulary. The thing is, out-of-towners often assume Minnesotans go around using this phrase in every other sentence. But most Minnesotans only say "You betcha" ironically - something you should certainly realize if you decide to live in Minnesota.
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Here's another silly word often used to poke fun at Minnesotans. But again, most Minnesotans don't use this word seriously. It's often trotted out to exaggerate just how Minnesotan someone or something is.
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What is a bar? If you're from everywhere else, this word may only have a couple of meanings. Maybe it's something on a playground that you swing from, or maybe it's the neighborhood watering hole. Minnesotans add a third definition. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it's a dessert treat often brought to potlucks.
What is Skol? It comes from the Scandinavian word Skål, which basically means "Cheers." While it can be said before clinking glasses, the most common usage in Minnesota is to cheer on the Vikings. "Skol, Vikings," is a commonly heard chant during football season, though it hasn't done the team much good yet.
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In Minnesota, a casserole is a hotdish. Don't ask us why - it just is. The best ones are filled with tater tots and brought to share at potlucks. For many Minnesotans, it's the ultimate comfort food. You can call it a casserole if you want, but you may well get the side eye from a native Minnesotan.
Minnesotans are a mild-mannered bunch. We hesitate to say anything to hurt someone's feelings. That's why, when we want to be nice but really don't agree with someone, we simply say, "That's interesting." Even when it isn't.
What's lutefisk? Honestly, you don't want to know. It's a type of fish soaked in lye and then "enjoyed" by some Minnesotans during the winter holidays. Basically, it's your worst nightmare, cheerfully served to newcomers by sneaky Minnesotans who will be gleefully amused by your retching. If someone asks if you want to try lutefisk, the correct answer is "NO."
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This phrase is all-important to every Minnesotan, including those who already live in the north. Why? Because it's symbolic summer holidays spent at lakeside cabins hidden deep in the woods. Even if you aren't technically going north, you could still say you went "up north" for the weekend. It's not a direction, but a state of mind.
On second thought, you can probably forget this word if you move to Minnesota. Why? Because Minnesotans have a hard time saying it. The Minnesota goodbye is famously long, with multiple stages that finally end after you can no longer see your host in the rearview mirror. Only then is it polite to stop waving.
What do you think? What other words would you add to Minnesota’s local dictionary? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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