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Ole and Lena are characters persistent in jokes by Scandinavian-Americans, particularly Norwegian-Americans, dominantly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota where Scandinavian immigrants and Lutherans are common.
Context
Ole and Lena jokes are self-deprecating (usually told by folk of Scandanavian heritage about their own). This self-effacing humor comes, at least in part, from the strongly egalitarian sense permeating the cultural code in the Nordic countries. It was brought to America by emigrants from these countries, who frowned upon attempts to appear to elevate oneself or claim to be better or smarter than others. It is strongly related to the emphasis on social equality and fairness that also appears in Upper Midwestern social movements like Populism - a consensus oriented and issue oriented approach to problems and an unwritten law to stress social equality and emphasize fairness for all. This cultural code has been described in Sandemose’s Jante law, which captures the underlying philosophy by emphasizing its less favorable aspects. None-the-less, self-deprecating or self-effacing humor of this sort gives us the ability to laugh at ourselves; to make fun of our human foibles and maintain a sense of perspective. It is also powerful in defusing confrontations.
Examples
Ole and Lena jokes can be long and drawn-out stories, or as short as two or three sentences. Lena is typically portrayed as the smarter of the two, often explaining where Ole went wrong in his misadventures. Another common character is Sven, who usually shows up in jokes along with Ole, making Sven and Ole jokes, though all three may appear together. Sven isn't as bright as Ole and Lena, but he means well.
An example of a joke involving all three:
- Ole, Lena, and Sven are lost out in the freezing wilderness, when they stumble across an Arabian-style lamp.
- Lena says "Hey, this looks like one of them Genie-lamps like in the movies!"
- So Ole says "Hey, let's rub it and see what happens!" So they do, and a ghostly figure emerges.
- "I am the Genie of the North," says the spirit, "and will grant you each one wish. Think carefully now, and choose your wishes."
- Lena takes the lamp and says "Well, gee, it's awfully cold here, and we've been lost for days. I really wish I was back home in front of the fire!"
- Says the Genie, "It shall be done!" He claps his hands together and Lena vanishes, leaving the lamp on the ground.
- Ole then picks it up. "Well, home in front of the fire sounds good to me. I wish I was home with Lena!"
- Says the Genie, "It shall be done!" Again, he claps his hands, and Ole vanishes.
- So Sven picks up the lamp and thinks for a bit. "Well, it sure is cold here, and I'm feeling a bit lonely out here all by myself. I really wish Ole and Lena were back here with me..."
- Sven says, "Hey Ole, you may want to invest in some drapes for your bedroom. Last night I kinda saw you and Lena going to town."
- Ole says, "The joke's on you, Sven; I wasn't even home last night!"
See also
"Ole and Lena"