fattiga riddare

Swedish

Etymology

Compound of fattiga (“poor”) +‎ riddare (“knights”). Calque of German Arme Ritter. Ultimate origin unknown. Possibly, according to Alexandra Zazzi via Svenska Akademin, from a distinguished exterior hiding a meager interior. According to SAOB attested since 1848.

Cognate with English poor knights of Windsor.

Noun

fattiga riddare c

  1. French toast
    Synonyms: arma riddare, falska riddare

Descendants
  • → Finnish: köyhät ritarit (calque)

See also
  • rika riddare (“richer French toast”)

References
  • Alexandra Zazzi (29 September 2012) Fattiga riddare - för både rika och fattiga‎ (in Swedish), 01:15 from the start: “I Svenska Akademin har de lite konstnärlig tolkning att "det torde avse kontrasten mellan ett förnämnt yttre och därunder dolt tarftig innehåll". [In the Swedish Academy, they have a somewhat artistic interpretation that "it should refer to the contrast between a distinguished exterior and hidden meager content below".]”
  • riddare in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)
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