Why Does Minnesota Say ‘Duck, Duck, Gray Duck’ Instead of ‘Goose’

How Minnesota’s Version Differs from the Rest of the U.S.

My wife is from Minnesota. She lives up to many of the stereotypes of one hailing from the land of ten thousand lakes. She's nice, loves the Vikings, and makes a mean hotdish

Despite living in South Dakota now for about half of her life, she is still Minnesota nice. She loves to go "up to da lake" and then "down to da lake" when she walks to the dock or shore from a car or camper nearby. She also makes a mean hotdish.

She also has the habit of saying the name of a certain children's game wrong.

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Why Does Minnesota Say "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck?"

I'm sure you remember the classic children's game, 'Duck Duck, Goose.' You get a gang of kids, they sit in a circle while one of the kids walks around the circle tapping the others on the head as they say 'Duck.' Then they say 'Goose' when they touch a head, then that kid gets up and runs while the other tries to take their spot in the circle.

But, in Minnesota, this widely known kids activity, is often known as something else.

For the moment I will suspend my conviction that she and the entire state of Minnesota are wrong in their assertion that the circular seated game of youth is not "Duck, Duck, Goose" but "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck."

The Origins of ‘Duck, Duck, Gray Duck’

Why do they say it this way? It comes down to history.

"...there are two (versions of the game) in particular that come from Sweden. One called “Anka Anka Gås,” which translates into “Duck, Duck Goose.” Another is “Anka Anka Grå Anka,” which translates into “Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.” He believes the Swedes with that version likely made their way to Minnesota." - WCCO.com

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So "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck" is a real thing and it actually comes from the same place as "Duck, Duck, Goose," Sweden.

So how do we get Minnesota to quit saying the name of the game wrong? I don't think it is possible. They are stubborn.

If a bunch of people live in a place that has arguably the coldest and harshest winters of any state in the lower 48, and they don't voluntarily leave, you probably can't convince them to change the name of their game.

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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross