People in the Twin Cities have likely become familiar with some new Scandinavian concepts over the last few years, such as hygge, the Danish and Norwegian word for the contentment you feel in coziness. With its evocation of a roaring fire in the middle of a dark winter, the term — which looks like, has the same origin as and is supposed to feel like a “hug” — was one Minnesotans were ready to, um, embrace.
Then there was the Swedish term lagom, meaning “just the right amount.” Anyone familiar with IKEA can immediately grasp the concept — a northern European ideal that’s neither minimalist nor overstuffed but instead seeking to smartly fulfill needs.