gnome of Zürich

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Popularized by Labour politician George Brown during the sterling crisis of 1964.[1]

Noun

gnome of Zürich (plural gnomes of Zürich)

  1. (humorous) A Swiss banker.
    • 1968 June 24, Adam Smith, “My Friend the Gnome of Zurich Says Don't Look Over Your Shoulder, A Major Money Crisis Is Gaining on You”, in New York Magazine, volume 1, number 12, page 17:
      When the pound was under attack, Mr. Brown said it was “the Gnomes of Zurich” who were out to bust it.

References
  1. John Smullen; Nicholas Hand, editors (2005), “gnomes of Zürich”, in A Dictionary of Finance and Banking, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 182
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