Lutefisk ludicrousness
I must tell you a true, laugh-out-loud story that landed in my emails.
A source who asked to be described as “deranged fellow journalist” sent me an email after reading my story about lutefisk in Sunday’s paper. You can read the article here.
While the gentleman did not want to be identified, I did verify that he is a knowledgeable source. Here’s what he wrote:
“Regarding your fine lutefisk story on Sunday, did you know that, in Wisconsin, lutefisk, by law, is NOT a toxic substance? It happened in the State Assembly in about 1982.
“The Assembly was debating a workplace safety bill requiring the posting of warning signs in places where toxic substances were in use. It was a classic labor vs. management duel. The unions saw the bill as a common-sense safety precaution; manufacturers viewed it as one more unnecessary government regulation.
“The preliminary votes were close but the unions were winning. Then, a big problem arose for the unions. One of the Assembly's Norwegians warned that this bill would require a warning notice at every lutefisk dinner in Wisconsin, because a toxic substance, lye, is used in its preparation.
“The Assembly's Norwegian caucus numbered, perhaps, 20 or 30 votes -- enough to doom the bill. Thinking fast, the bill’s sponsors brought in a one-word amendment. The first part of the bill included a definitions clause, listing what was, and what was not, a toxic substance. The sponsors added "lutefisk" to the list of non-toxic agents. That kept the Norwegian caucus in line, and the bill was enacted.
“Don't believe me? See Wisconsin Statutes, 101.58(2)(j)2.f.”
Sure enough, the statute exists. Here it is.
As a footnote, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed the friendly, humorous folks at the Sons of Norway, Nordland Lodge, in Janesville.
Yes, I did try the lutefisk. And even though I have some Norwegian in me, I don’t think I’ll be trying it again. Norwegian pastries, however, are an entirely different matter.
Nov 15, 2012 at 1:52 p.m.
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A friend sent this via Facebook: "the joke in my family is..."I've tried lutefisk twice...once going down and the other coming back up!' Now lefsa....that's delicious!!!!"
Nov 15, 2012 at 1:22 p.m.
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Ahhh but lutefisk is just the tip of the iceberg, or perhaps the smelly fish that got caught at the tip of the iceberg. The iceberg being the delightful Norwegian culture as it has adapted to America. We are richer for the traditions. My grandmother was half Norwegian, and I am forever grateful for her passing on to me just one useful tidbit, "uff-da!" -- The Badger
Nov 14, 2012 at 7:35 p.m.
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To be frank, I think your friend is right. Lutefisk should have been left in Norway when our ancestors emigrated here. Even the pastries seem dull and tastless and the lefse is only so-so. No lye, did this issue transcend the usual Republican-Democrat divide at the time? I can see a movie in this story - Attack of the Killer Codfish."
Nov 14, 2012 at 10:32 a.m.
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Did you get your RDA
of lye today?
Nov 14, 2012 at 6:37 a.m.
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Legalize Lutefisk !!
Nov 14, 2012 at 6:28 a.m.
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Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing this!
Nov 13, 2012 at 11:14 p.m.
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I eat a lot of fish, and I like a lot of different kinds of fish, but sorry, I will not eat any fish that requires lye in its preparation.
Nov 13, 2012 at 5:24 p.m.
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I wonder how many needless injuries could have been avoided while preparing lutefisk if only a sign warning people of the danger had been present?
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