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Trunken og "floorlegger"
Contact with America has left its mark on the dialect of southern Norway. Norwegian Americans came back and introduced words and expressions they had learned in America, and some of the words spread to those who had never set foot outside their district. Some of these words can still be found in the vocabulary of southern Norwegians. If you ask them what a trunk or a floorlegger is you are sure to get the right answer!
American postcard from the early 1900s.
Different names in different districts
Different American names have become popular in different districts in Vest-Agder. For example Torrey is an American name that is often used in Lista but was almost non-existent in Kvinesdal where Stanley and Cindy were more common. It often seems to be chance that decided the name that became popular in each rural area. Which American names were common in your district? Help us to make a list!
Halloween in Brooklyn in the 1960s.
Gladys, Nancy og Roy
During the years of the contact with America, many children were given American names. They could be children who were born in America with Norwegian parents, but it could also be children in Vest-Agder with parents who had heard the names and liked them.
A girl in Brooklyn in the 1950s.
Common girls’ names:
Alice, Allis, Arleene, Benny, Berly, Betzy, Christel, Doris, Elly, Emmy, Evelyn, Fanny, Gladys, Henny, Janet, Kitty, Laura, Lilly, Marion, Minnie, Nancy, Nelly, Tessy, Tilly, Tomally, Ruby, Sally, Sherry og Sindy.
Common boys’ names:
Albert, Alfred, Bradley, Clifford, Eddie, Glenn Gordon, Harry, Henry, Hubert, Jimmy, John, Kevin, Lloyd, Louis, Mark, Ronny, Roy, Spencer, Stanley, Steven, Tom, Torrey, Turner, Walter og William.