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

Recently in: