While Minnesotans may be recognized across the country for their accents, much more important than the pronunciation are the words being said. The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” has its very own language, which is quite unique. Listed below are 13 of the most unique things Minnesotans say. Do you use any of these Minnesota phrases on a regular basis?

  1. Uff da

Flickr/Jason Taellious This is an often-used exclamation among most millennials, but used frequently by older Minnesotans. It can be used whenever feeling overwhelmed, disgruntled, surprised, tired, or relieved among others.

  1. You betcha

Flickr/Ted This phrase is commonly used to agree or add to a sentence.

  1. Skol! Vikings!

wikimedia commons/Staff Sgt. Kyle Richardson These words to the fight song are really all we need in order to show our love for the team.

  1. Pop

Flickr/Vox Efx In Minnesota, it’s not soda or soda pop. It’s simply “pop.”

  1. Hotdish

Flickr/Colin Kloecker A hotdish is a delicious dish consisting of leftovers, tater tots, and cheese. It shouldn’t be confused with casserole.

  1. Interesting

Flickr/Jessie Jacobson That’s interesting… During a conversation, Minnesotans are too nice to actually voice their opinion.

  1. Goodbye

Flickr/andrew and hobbes Whenever a Minnesotan says “goodbye,” it’s a long and drawn-out process often taking multiple hours and many hugs and handshakes.

  1. Skijor

Flickr/edkohler A skijor is a sport that involves dogs pulling people on skis.

  1. Up North

flickr/Phil Up North is where all the lakes and cabins are, and where the best fall foliage is. It doesn’t matter the actual direction.

  1. Lutefisk

Flickr/Andria If you don’t know what this word means, you’ve never been to Minnesota.

  1. Nice

Flickr/leyla.a In Minnesota, “nice” actually means twelve people stopping to help when they see a car that might be stuck.

  1. Dontcha know

pixabay/mintchipdesigns “Dontcha know this stereotype can be true!” No matter how hard Minnesotans may fight it, it still happens.

  1. Cold

flickr/Tina Chen Minnesotans might be the only Americans to use the real meaning of the word “cold.”

If you speak fluent Minnesotan, whether you care to admit it or not, these Minnesota phrases will sneak their way into your daily life. What other things Minnesotans say have you noticed? Please share your favorite Minnesotan words on the Only In Minnesota Facebook page.

Flickr/Jason Taellious

This is an often-used exclamation among most millennials, but used frequently by older Minnesotans. It can be used whenever feeling overwhelmed, disgruntled, surprised, tired, or relieved among others.

Flickr/Ted

This phrase is commonly used to agree or add to a sentence.

wikimedia commons/Staff Sgt. Kyle Richardson

These words to the fight song are really all we need in order to show our love for the team.

Flickr/Vox Efx

In Minnesota, it’s not soda or soda pop. It’s simply “pop.”

Flickr/Colin Kloecker

A hotdish is a delicious dish consisting of leftovers, tater tots, and cheese. It shouldn’t be confused with casserole.

Flickr/Jessie Jacobson

That’s interesting… During a conversation, Minnesotans are too nice to actually voice their opinion.

Flickr/andrew and hobbes

Whenever a Minnesotan says “goodbye,” it’s a long and drawn-out process often taking multiple hours and many hugs and handshakes.

Flickr/edkohler

A skijor is a sport that involves dogs pulling people on skis.

flickr/Phil

Up North is where all the lakes and cabins are, and where the best fall foliage is. It doesn’t matter the actual direction.

Flickr/Andria

If you don’t know what this word means, you’ve never been to Minnesota.

Flickr/leyla.a

In Minnesota, “nice” actually means twelve people stopping to help when they see a car that might be stuck.

pixabay/mintchipdesigns

“Dontcha know this stereotype can be true!” No matter how hard Minnesotans may fight it, it still happens.

flickr/Tina Chen

Minnesotans might be the only Americans to use the real meaning of the word “cold.”

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The OIYS Visitor Center

unique things minnesotans say February 21, 2022 Jennifer Young Minnesotans have their own special language. What are five phrases from Minnesota that seem strange to everyone else?

  1. Ope Ope is an exclamation that’s similar to “oops.”
  2. Top the Tator Top the Tator is a delicious dip made from sour cream, chives, and a mixture of seasonings.
  3. The Cities The Cities refers to Minneapolis and St. Paul. They’re the largest cities in the state.
  4. Duck, Duck, Gray Duck In Minnesota, the classic children’s game Duck, Duck, Goose is called Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.
  5. “Oh for ___!” For Minnesotans, the blank in this phrase is usually filled with a variety of words that form phrases such as “Oh for sure!" and “Oh for fun!” The phrase ends up being full of excitement. What are five weird things Minnesotans do that surprise most people from other parts of the country?
  6. Play outside in the snow wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops.
  7. Drive through a blizzard without thinking twice.
  8. Take forever to say goodbye.
  9. Participate in meat raffles.
  10. Use coozies to keep beer from freezing in the cold winter weather. What’s one of the most relatable things about Minnesota? There are many things Minnesotans do that relate to people from other parts of the country, one of which is getting up close and personal with nature. If you love the outdoors, Minnesota is the perfect place to be. It offers a variety of recreational activities for all ages, including hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and more. Minnesota also experiences all four seasons. You’ll never run out of things to do while exploring the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so don’t forget to add Minnesota to your outdoor bucket list.

The OIYS Visitor Center

unique things minnesotans say

February 21, 2022

Jennifer Young

Minnesotans have their own special language. What are five phrases from Minnesota that seem strange to everyone else?

  1. Ope Ope is an exclamation that’s similar to “oops.”
  2. Top the Tator Top the Tator is a delicious dip made from sour cream, chives, and a mixture of seasonings.
  3. The Cities The Cities refers to Minneapolis and St. Paul. They’re the largest cities in the state.
  4. Duck, Duck, Gray Duck In Minnesota, the classic children’s game Duck, Duck, Goose is called Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.
  5. “Oh for ___!” For Minnesotans, the blank in this phrase is usually filled with a variety of words that form phrases such as “Oh for sure!" and “Oh for fun!” The phrase ends up being full of excitement. What are five weird things Minnesotans do that surprise most people from other parts of the country?
  6. Play outside in the snow wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops.
  7. Drive through a blizzard without thinking twice.
  8. Take forever to say goodbye.
  9. Participate in meat raffles.
  10. Use coozies to keep beer from freezing in the cold winter weather. What’s one of the most relatable things about Minnesota? There are many things Minnesotans do that relate to people from other parts of the country, one of which is getting up close and personal with nature. If you love the outdoors, Minnesota is the perfect place to be. It offers a variety of recreational activities for all ages, including hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and more. Minnesota also experiences all four seasons. You’ll never run out of things to do while exploring the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so don’t forget to add Minnesota to your outdoor bucket list.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

  1. Ope

Ope is an exclamation that’s similar to “oops.”

  1. Top the Tator

Top the Tator is a delicious dip made from sour cream, chives, and a mixture of seasonings.

  1. The Cities

The Cities refers to Minneapolis and St. Paul. They’re the largest cities in the state.

  1. Duck, Duck, Gray Duck

In Minnesota, the classic children’s game Duck, Duck, Goose is called Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.

  1. “Oh for ___!”

For Minnesotans, the blank in this phrase is usually filled with a variety of words that form phrases such as “Oh for sure!" and “Oh for fun!” The phrase ends up being full of excitement.

What are five weird things Minnesotans do that surprise most people from other parts of the country?

  1. Play outside in the snow wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops.
  2. Drive through a blizzard without thinking twice.
  3. Take forever to say goodbye.
  4. Participate in meat raffles.
  5. Use coozies to keep beer from freezing in the cold winter weather.

What’s one of the most relatable things about Minnesota?

There are many things Minnesotans do that relate to people from other parts of the country, one of which is getting up close and personal with nature. If you love the outdoors, Minnesota is the perfect place to be. It offers a variety of recreational activities for all ages, including hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and more. Minnesota also experiences all four seasons. You’ll never run out of things to do while exploring the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so don’t forget to add Minnesota to your outdoor bucket list.