Minnesota is famous for its unique blend of Scandinavian heritage, Midwest sensibilities, and a touch of quirky humor. This is reflected in a treasure trove of sayings that are both hilarious and endearing—many of which will leave outsiders scratching their heads. Here are some of the most iconic and funny Minnesota-only expressions:
Classic Minnesotan Sayings
- “Uff da!”
A versatile exclamation expressing surprise, exhaustion, or sympathy. Rooted in Norwegian heritage, you’ll hear this after anything from shoveling snow to hearing bad news. - “You betcha!”
The quintessential Minnesota affirmation, used to enthusiastically agree or confirm. It’s as warm as a hotdish on a cold day. - “Ope!”
Uttered when accidentally bumping into someone or making a small mistake, often accompanied by a quick step aside and a smile. - “Oh for cute!” / “Oh for fun!” / “Oh for sure!”
“Oh for” is a uniquely Minnesotan way to start a phrase, usually followed by something positive or endearing—like “Oh for cute, look at those baby loons!”. - “Dontcha know?”
Tacked onto the end of sentences for emphasis or camaraderie, this phrase is pure Minnesota charm. - “Hotdish”
What the rest of the country calls a casserole, Minnesotans call “hotdish.” It’s a staple at potlucks and family gatherings—especially the legendary tater tot hotdish. - “Duck, duck, gray duck”
Everywhere else it’s “duck, duck, goose,” but in Minnesota, it’s “gray duck”—and don’t you forget it. - “Up North”
Refers to heading to the cabin, lake, or woods for a getaway—no specific direction needed, everyone just knows where “up north” is. - “The Cities”
Short for Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Twin Cities metro area. - “SKOL!”
A rallying cheer for Minnesota Vikings fans, borrowed from Scandinavian toasts. - “Minnesota Goodbye”
The art of leaving a gathering with multiple rounds of conversation at the door, making departures last far longer than expected.
Funny and Quirky Phrases
- “Holy buckets!”
An exclamation of surprise or excitement, as in, “Holy buckets, look at all that snow!”. - “Yeah no” / “No yeah”
Depending on the inflection, it can mean yes, no, or something in between. Only Minnesotans seem to know the difference. - “Kitty-corner”
Used to describe something diagonally across the street, as in, “The bakery’s kitty-corner from the post office”. - “Borrow me”
Instead of “lend me,” Minnesotans might say, “Can you borrow me your snowblower?”. - “Un-thaw”
Used to mean thaw, even though it technically means the opposite. “Don’t forget to un-thaw the chicken for supper!”. - “Could be worse”
A stoic response to adversity, especially when discussing the weather: “It’s 20 below, but at least the wind died down—could be worse”. - “Hot enough for ya?”
A favorite conversation starter during the rare Minnesota heatwave. - “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”
The classic summer complaint, even though Minnesota is more famous for its cold. - “Schlep”
To lug or carry something heavy, as in, “I had to schlep all those groceries in from the car”. - “Putz”
Someone who’s being silly or wasting time: “Quit putzing around and help me shovel”.
Bonus: The Minnesota Accent
Many of these sayings are best enjoyed when delivered with the signature Minnesota accent—long “o’s,” drawn-out vowels, and a cheerful, friendly tone. Add a “ya” or “sure” at the end of your sentences for extra authenticity.
These sayings are more than just words—they’re a reflection of Minnesota’s unique culture, humor, and warmth. Whether you’re a native or just visiting, tossing out a well-timed “uff da” or “you betcha” is sure to get a smile, dontcha know.
Sources:
- https://quickcountry.com/10-unique-things-you-only-say-if-youre-in-minnesota/
- https://thievesriver.com/blogs/articles/minnesota-sayings-accent
- https://krocnews.com/ixp/719/p/just-revealed-our-favorite-unique-slang-word-here-in-minnesota/
- https://lovefromcompanies.com/blogs/love-from-usa/10-minnesota-sayings-will