Tracker Pixel for Entry

​FARGO LOVES ‘FARGO’

Editorial | April 14th, 2016

It’s hard to believe that the movie “Fargo” was released 20 years ago. If it wasn’t for “Fargo,” would bomber hats have such a spot on our heads and in our hearts? Would the phrase “Uffda” be spoken with simultaneous irony and sincerity? Yeah, sure you betcha--but no one else would know or care as much. With its dark humor, frigid cold outdoor imagery and Midwest kitsch.

The Coen brothers certainly put us on the map. First with the “Fargo” feature, and once the series they produced was released, the masses were reminded that us fellas up north are still here. Though both the series and the film have little to do with our city. It was rated one of the 100 greatest films of all time by the American Film Institute in 1998, won two academy awards and was nominated for multiple others..

There are a few landmarks in the city that pay homage to “Fargo”, such as the wooden chainsaw sculpture of Marge at The Fargo Theatre, which adds an additional draw to the second level of the fully renovated art deco theatre.The Fargo-Moorhead visitor center has both the authentic wood chipper prop from the movie, and a replica guests are encouraged to pose with--bomber hats, fake limbs and all. We’re “North of Normal” for a reason--maybe it’s the cold that gets to us.

The Fargo Brewing Company, one of the area’s local microbreweries, even has a signature Wood Chipper IPA in homage to the movie.

Has anyone ever said North Dakotans don’t have a sense of humor? Oh jeez, if they did--they’ve probably never met one of us.

Though the deadline has passed, Prairie Public even hosted a Fargo accent promotion, in which listeners were encouraged to call the hotline and leave a message with their favorite movie quote and the winner would receive a prize of some sort.

“Fargo” induced colloquialisms are a bit trying. While travelling, nothing will induce an eye roll more than hearing something to the effect of, “You’re from Fargo? You don’t sound like the movie at all!” But then again, you almost have to applaud someone for a worthwhile pop cultural reference, and fortunately people have forgotten about the travesty of the television series “Blood and Oil.” So far, pop culturally as North Dakotans--we dodged that bullet.

According to Merriam-Webster a colloquialism is, “a word or phrase that is used mostly in informal speech : a colloquial expression.” Needless to say they spell out our local color. In an area saturated with Norwegians and others of Scandinavian descent it makes sense that bits of that accent would seep into our everyday language.

Much like how many of the older south-central North Dakotans have an unmistakable hint of a German accent in their vernacular even though their family has been there since homesteading. It all adds to our charm, distinguishes us from the rest of the world, and explains the midwest accent we have become known for.

.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com Ten North Dakota communities will participate in the nationwide No Kings Day of Peaceful Action on October 18. The grassroots movement is a nonviolent protest against President Trump’s…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu I would like to recognize some of the scholarly Germans from Russia from Canada and USA shared on the GRHC website. There are additional names not included here. If you have suggestions…

Friday, October 31, doors 8 p.m. show starts at 8:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe annual Aquarium Halloween Cover Show is back and it is stacked. And this time there are a limited amount of presale…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com At the end of September, downtown Fargo said goodbye to another old friend; the Spirit Room closed its doors, marking the end of an era. The Spirit Room room has been a fixture downtown for the…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comAnother public health crisis besides guns: lack of empathyThe Sisters of Charity have finally had enough of their Trumper boss, Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. One of the most…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comNoémie Merlant, working from a script she wrote with Pauline Munier and her “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” collaborator Celine Sciamma, directs herself in “The Balconettes” (the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Gallery 4 downtown recently celebrated its 50 year anniversary, making it one of the longest consecutively running galleries in the country. With different membership tiers, there are 17 primary…

Press release“Shakespeare with a sharpened edge.” To launch its 2025 – 2026 season, Theatre NDSU is thrilled to team up with Moorhead-based organization Theatre B to perform a co-production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com When we are sick, all we want is a cure. You go to the doctor, they give you a pill, you take it for a bit, then you are cured. It happens. But unfortunately, it is not always the case. …

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…