Swedish Slang: 21 Phrases for Portraying Swedish Idioms or Customs
In the vibrant world of Swedish slang, a rich tapestry of terms emerges, each with its unique connotation and origin. Here's a snapshot of some intriguing slang terms that encapsulate various aspects of Swedish culture and society.
The term "kulturtant" refers to a woman who aspires for cultural experiences beyond the realms of football, Hollywood films, and barbecuing. On the other hand, "grönavågare" denotes individuals who moved from cities to live in farmsteads in the countryside during the 1960s to 1980s.
When it comes to the academic sphere, a child or young adult who dedicates their life solely to schoolwork is known as a "plugghäst" or a "study-horse." Meanwhile, the "Middle-aged man in Lycra" (Mamil) becomes "lycramannen" or "the lycra man" in Swedish.
The compound "surgubbar" breaks down into two parts: "sur" meaning "sour," "grumpy," or "gloomy" and "gubbar" which is the plural of "gubbe," a familiar or slightly informal term for "old man" or "old guy." In slang, "surgubbar" refers to grumpy old men or men who are persistently sour, complaining, or in a bad mood. It’s often used to describe men who are cantankerous, cranky, or bitter about things.
The term "lattepappor" describes men who take long paternity leaves and live in monied, bohemian parts of Sweden's major cities. On the other hand, "PK-maffian" refers to people who police language for politically unacceptable positions.
Gay men who support right-wing parties, particularly the Moderaterna, are grouped together as "högerbögar," or right-wing gays. "Kulturmannen" refers to men who are part of the cultural elite, while the privileged young men in upmarket parts of Stockholm, who ostentatiously drink champagne in expensive pavement restaurants, are called "stekare."
A middle-aged man might also be a "mysfarbror," a kindly, cardigan-wearing middle-aged man, unlike the bitter "surgubbar." A middle-aged woman can be a "surtant," a derogatory term similar to "surgubbar."
Stockholm residents are historically referred to as "nollåttor" (08ers) after the dialling code for Stockholm, but more commonly as "Stockholmare." The "rödvinsvänstern" is a term for someone with left-wing views and a white collar job.
Nerdy men who follow every arms order sent to Ukraine with obsessive detail are called Militärt Överintresserad Personer, or "möpare" in the plural. The term "kulturvänstern" has a similar meaning to "woke." "Surdegspappor" is a term for grown-up hipster fathers who brew their own beer and have bushy beards.
Lastly, the term "A-lagare" is a derogatory way of describing people who sit in public places, drinking alcohol, at the bottom of the class spectrum.
Each term offers a glimpse into the diverse and dynamic nature of Swedish slang, reflecting the country's culture, society, and everyday life.
- In Swedish, a man who aspires for experiences beyond sports and barbecues is called a "kulturtant," while individuals who moved from cities to live in the countryside during the 1960s to 1980s are labeled "grönava
