smorgasbord
/ˈsmɔːɡæs(ˌ)bɔːd/
smorgasbord means A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes.
smorgasbord is pronounced /ˈsmɔːɡæs(ˌ)bɔːd/.
Why “smorgasbord” is a great word
A large buffet consisting of a varied assortment of dishes, especially cold hors d'oeuvres, or any abundant and diverse array. From Swedish smörgåsbord, from smörgås ("sandwich," itself from smör, "butter," + gås, "goose," referring to butter pieces floating in milk) + bord ("table"), first attested in English in 1893. Unlike a "buffet," which simply denotes a self-service meal, or a "potpourri," which suggests a miscellaneous heap, a smorgasbord implies a curated, generous plenty. It is the glint of herring on silver, the chromatic sprawl of pickles and cold cuts, the tangible promise of limitless choice—a celebration of abundance that, in its very excess, quietly acknowledges the fear of absence.
Etymology
Borrowed from Swedish smörgåsbord (“buffet with many small dishes; smorgasbord”), from smörgås (“sandwich”) + bord (“table”). Smörgås is from Swedish smör (“butter”) + gås (“goose”), a reference to pieces of butter which float to the surface of milk when churned.
noun
- A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes.
- An abundant and diverse collection of things.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- buffet 62% match — A counter or sideboard from which food and drinks are served or may be bought. vs smorgasbord →
- smørrebrød 58% match — An open-faced sandwich that usually consists of a piece of buttered rye bread, topped with commercial or homemade cold cuts, pieces of meat or fish, cheese or spreads, and garnishes. vs smorgasbord →
- buffeteria 54% match — A cafeteria where food is served from a buffet. vs smorgasbord →
- ambigu 53% match — An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time; a buffet. vs smorgasbord →
- salmagundi 50% match — A food consisting of chopped meat and pickled herring, with oil, vinegar, pepper, and onions. vs smorgasbord →
- potluck 49% match — A meal, especially one offered to a guest, consisting of whatever food is available. vs smorgasbord →
- antipasto 47% match — An Italian starter for a meal; normally a cold assortment of salami, cheese, seafood, and vegetables. vs smorgasbord →
- sillsallat 47% match — A Swedish salad of pickled herring with beetroot, egg, etc. vs smorgasbord →