- 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
View Comments (8)
You missed "Bismarck," which the rest of the world calls "jelly donut."
Yes, missed that one because I hadn't learned that word yet. Thanks for letting me know what a "Bismarck" is!
You didn’t add Yeah HeyDer for Hey There
Ooh, that's right! I forgot that one!
You betcha these words are familiar! The only ones not used in Wisconsin are budge and gray duck. Donchaknow.
Haha! Thanks for your comment! I'm curious about what do they say in Wisconsin instead of BUDGE?
I grew up "Up Nort" (no I didn't forget the h) If you grew up there ya know whatta I mean. :-) When I was in school the term budging was not used. When a kid would "budge" into line it was called "taking cuts or cutting." I now live in Wisconsin and a common reference to people who tend to be a little rougher around the edge would be - Oh, they must be from north of Highway 8. This saying kills me as I grew up north of Highway 2 so what does that say about me. :-) Loved the Minnesota words! You nailed dat one on da head!!!
lol! Thanks for your comment and story!!