You Know You're In Minnesota When...: 101 Quintessential Places, People, Events, Customs, Lingo, And Eats Of The North Star State

by Berit Thorkelson

Many worry that these United States are becoming to much like each other -- but Minnesotans know differently. Fun for all ages, this trivia-cum-brag-book highlights and celebrates the North Star State''s different traditions, fashions, cuisine, and history with humor.

For example, you''ll know you''re in Minnesota when...
>You drink your coffee light and often
>You know buy alcohol from an onsale or an offsale
>The mosquito is the real state bird
>You know the sport ringette
>You can jump from one bank of the Mississippi River to the other
>Supporting the Green Bay Packers is treason
>Lefse is a holiday staple
>You bowl with a frozen turkey
>Betty Crocker is a considered a local
>Sweatshirts are the unofficial uniform

103 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making good on my summer goal...this is Minnesota book #3. Having finished it, I can now safely say that I know more about my beloved home of 20+ years. And it was fun reading about, as the title suggests, our "places, people, events, customs, lingo and eats". There were simple things; I learned more about the origins of "duck, duck, grey duck", Mickey's and offsale, along with more commonly know distinctions like Summit Avenue, the Mary Tyler Moore statue and the cherry and spoon.

In addition, nestled in the prose were some gems that required further research and potentially some action. For instance, shall I check out Gitchi Gami State bike trail? Spend more time in the Root River Valley (aka Bluff Country)? Venture to Lake Mille Lacs to see the icehouses? Plan some time in Itasca State Park, investigating the start of the Mississippi River? Visit Eveleth and the Hockey Hall of Fame? Finally check out the Winter Carnival, Glensheen or Fort Snelling? (The later being, almost literally, right in my front yard.) Too bad I just missed the Wildflower Route Celebration!

Okay, so I may not get off my duff and investigate the state more. But, I sure will smile the next time I make bars, serve jello salad or put hotdish on the table. When I pull some Green Giant or Betty Crocker off the shelf, I'll likely remember their Minnesota roots. I'll probably catch myself next time I'm in mixed geographic company and I say I'm from Min-uh-SOH-duh (in true Minnesota form). And, I'll forgive myself when I keep calling the noon meal "dinner" (although I only do it on Sundays, for some reason) and the downtown Macy's "Daytons" (as it always will be in my and many Minnesotan's minds). Just for fun, I may try the one finger wave when I'm not outstate or slip an "ohfur", "uff dah" or "you betcha" into some daily conversation.

I recommend this book to anyone with, as they say on p. 67, pride-in-state. ("You know you're in Minnesota when...you wonder why everyone else isn't here."). Although a bit dated (e.g. refers to the Metrodome), it's a quick read and consolidates all-in-one-place our eccentricities and reasons for loving Minnesota.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this humorous little gem in the travel section at work. Having escaped Minnesota after a 3 year stint in Saint Paul, I just had to read this.

Each page covers a unique (and usually silly) Minnesota-ism. Entries include:

• Delicacies like lutefisk and hotdish,
• Expressions like “uff da” and “you betcha,” and
• Locations like Nicollet Mall, “The Cities,” and “the lake.”

Very cute.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. 'you betcha' comes out a lot when my brothers I am talking to my brothers from California and Florida.