- Uff da – An exclamation used when overwhelmed or surprised.
- Skol – Clark taught me this word after attending his first Vikings game. It’s a word they say during football games after each touchdown. SKOL VIKINGS!
- Minnesota Nice – It’s a real thing. In Minnesota, people are known to be just a little nicer than anyone else.
- You Betcha or ‘Ubetcha’ – A friendlier way to say ‘Yes!’
- Hotdish – A type of warm casserole – usually involving tater tots.
- Budge – Cutting someone in line.
- Lutefisk – a Minnesota dish that I have not yet tried. Have you?
- Dontcha Know – Right along with Uff da, it’s something you may hear in conversation.
- Egg Bake – Something the rest of us call an Egg Casserole.
- Duck, Duck, GRAY Duck – It’s the Minnesota version of Duck, Duck Goose!
- Land of 10,000 Ice Rinks – What do you think happens to all those lakes and ponds in the winter? It’s no wonder every child here loves Hockey!
- Pop – All carbonated beverages are POP. Not soda, and definitely not Soda Pop.
- Phy Ed – I’ve heard Physical Education referred to as “Gym,” or “P.E.” and even “Phys Ed (pronounced fizz ed), but in Minnesota, I’ve learned that P.E. is called Phy Ed – pronounced Fi (with a long i) Ed
- Rambler – A one story house.
- Up North – Where everyone in Minnesota goes for the weekend. I didn’t know you could go any farther NORTH from where we currently are…but apparently, you can and you should. Up North is spoken of fondly by every Minnesotan. When I finally get “UP NORTH”…I’ll tell you what the fuss is all about.
- Cold – I’ve used the word COLD my entire life, but now I’ve truly experienced COLD. And I lived to tell about it.
What’s a word that you only hear in YOUR state?
Other posts about Minnesota that might interest you:
How to fit in as a Minnesota transplant
Gifts that Minnesota Gave the World!
6 Comments
Patricia Reszetylo
June 5, 2021 at 5:28 amYou missed “Bismarck,” which the rest of the world calls “jelly donut.”
Kathryn
March 2, 2024 at 7:19 amYes, missed that one because I hadn’t learned that word yet. Thanks for letting me know what a “Bismarck” is!
Rodney Murphy
July 26, 2021 at 9:51 pmYou didn’t add Yeah HeyDer for Hey There
Kathryn
March 2, 2024 at 7:18 amOoh, that’s right! I forgot that one!
Michele Dittman
March 1, 2024 at 8:13 pmYou betcha these words are familiar! The only ones not used in Wisconsin are budge and gray duck. Donchaknow.
Kathryn
March 2, 2024 at 7:17 amHaha! Thanks for your comment! I’m curious about what do they say in Wisconsin instead of BUDGE?