[bartl]

I assumed it was a reference to something the Norwegian people might worldwide be famous for, that is: herring. Just an impression.

[nostrademons]

I figured it was a Monty Python reference, to the part in Holy Grail where he systematically dismembers the black knight, and then faces the Knights Who Say Ni, who ask him to chop down the tallest tree in the forest with a herring.