Everything You Need To Know About Skol

There’s this somewhat haunting chant that takes place at Minnesota Vikings games. Fans raise their hands in unison, clap once simultaneously after the beat of two drums, and yell “Skol!” If you haven’t heard it, you’ve likely seen “Skol Vikings” swag, read the cheer on social media, or even driven by the sign below. At some point, you’ve probably asked yourself, “what does Skol mean?”

This popular chant essentially translates to “cheers!” It comes from the word skål, which originated in Scandinavia—Denmark, Norway, and Sweden specifically. In the Old Norse language, it basically means a toast or salute to a friend’s good health. During this salute, beer is shared among friends, similar to the English “cheers” today.

The rather intimidating chant became a new tradition for fans when the Vikings moved into the U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016. The word has been part of the Minnesota Vikings brand since the 1960s, close to the time when the team was founded.

The thunderous claps are thought to be part of an old Viking war chant, which people speculate began as an ancient pre-battle ritual. However, the collective claps with a shout of “huh” instead of “Skol” was introduced by supporters of the Motherwell Football Club in Scotland and were made popular by fans of Iceland’s national men’s football team during their unlikely journey to the European Football Association’s European Championship of 2016. Vikings fans simply substituted the word “huh” for “Skol,” and a catchy new ritual was born.

Notably, “Skol Vikings” is the name of the team’s fight song, written by the Minnesota composer James “Red” McLeod. Take a listen below, and the next time the Vikings win, sing along to impress your friends who are fans.

Skol Vikings, let’s win this game,

Skol Vikings, honor your name,

Go get that first down,

Then get a touchdown.

Rock ’em . . . Sock ’em

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Go Vikings, run up the score,

You’ll hear us yell for more. . .

V-I-K-I-N-G-S

Skol, Vikings, let’s go!

https://youtu.be/sv0XGMCeU-I

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.