Ole and Lena are characters persistent in jokes by Scandinavian-Americans, dominantly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin where Lutherans are common. Ole and Lena jokes can be long and drawn-out stories, or as short as two or three sentences. Lena is typically portrayed as the smarter of the two, often explaining where Ole went wrong in his misadventures.
Another common character is Sven, who usually shows up in jokes along with Ole, making Sven and Ole jokes, though all three may appear together.
An example of a joke involving all three:
- Ole, Lena, and Sven are lost out in the freezing wilderness, when they stumble across an Arabian-style lamp.
- Lena says "Hey, this looks like one of them Genie-lamps like in the movies!"
- So Ole says "Hey, let's rub it and see what happens!" So they do, and a ghostly figure emerges.
- "I am the Genie of the North," says the spirit, "and will grant you each one wish. Think carefully now, and choose your wishes."
- Lena takes the lamp and says "Well, gee, it's awfully cold here, and we've been lost for days. I really wish I was back home in front of the fire!"
- Says the Genie, "It shall be done!" He claps his hands together and Lena vanishes, leaving the lamp on the ground.
- Ole then picks it up. "Well, home in front of the fire sounds good to me. I wish I was home with Lena!"
- Says the Genie, "It shall be done!" Again, he claps his hands, and Ole vanishes.
- So Sven picks up the lamp and thinks for a bit. "Well, it sure is cold here, and I'm feeling a bit lonely out here all by myself. I really wish Ole and Lena were back here with me..."
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