How to Talk Minnesotan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How to Talk Minnesotan is a book lampooning stereotypical Minnesotan speech and mannerisms written by Howard Mohr, a former writer for A Prairie Home Companion. Since its creation a musical written by Howard Mohr (script) and Drew Jansen (music and lyrics) and produced at Plymouth Playhouse by Troupe America, Inc., and a television special (produced by KTCA) have been created.

Some of the things the book covers:

Useful phrases such as "You bet", "That's different", and "whatever"
Refusing food three times before accepting
The art of waving
Hotdish
Lutefisk
Talking about cars and starting cars in the winter
The Minnesota "long goodbye"

Much of the material for the book was originally performed as sketches on A Prairie Home Companion. The book also includes fictional ads for improbable businesses such as "Raw Bits Cereal", "Polka Pants", and "Walleye Phone Company".