So what is a Yooper? A Yooper is a Michigan resident who lives above the Mackinaw Bridge. Yooper refers to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or The Yooper. I suppose one must grow up in Michigan to fully understand that we who grew up under the bridge, or south of it, are called Trolls. Because everyone knows that only Trolls live under a bridge! Well dammit, call me a freaking Troll then! It’s not a sin you know…
A YOOPER LENTEN JOKE
Yoopers love to joke about themselves. They love Eino and Toivo jokes. This one was told to da Yooper Pastor by a Yooper Catholic. All in good fun, eh!
Every Friday night after work, Toivo came over to Eino’s for supper. They would fire up his outdoor grill outside of Hancock and cook some venison steaks. But many of Eino’s neighbors were Catholic. And since it was Lent, they were forbidden to eat meat on Friday.
The delicious aroma of the steaks wafted over Hancock all the way to Houghton. It caused such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest.
The Priest visited Toivo and Eino, and suggested that they become Catholic. After several classes and much study, the two attended Mass. As the priest sprinkled holy water over them, he said, “You were born Lutheran, and raised Lutheran, but now you are Catholic.”
Toivo and Eino’s neighbors were relieved, until Friday night arrived. Once again the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled all of Hancock.
The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors. As he rushed into Eino’s yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold his two new converts, he stopped in his tracks and watched in amazement.
There stood Toivo with a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the platter of grilled meat held by Eino. Toivo chanted: “You vuz born a deer, an’ you vuz raised a deer, but now you is a walleye, eh!”