Derived from the Swedish smorgas (bread and butter) and bord (table), this word conjures the image of a buffet with all manner of dishes, including open-faced sandwiches. It was well known in Sweden as far back as the 1600s, but for centuries the word was used only occasionally in English, and then only in reference to Sweden. At the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, the smorgasbord finally reached a wider audience when it was served in the Swedish Pavilion. A serious smorgasbord will consist of herring (possibly accompanied by schnapps), shellfish, salads, cold meat dishes and warm savouries as well as a selection of desserts. With so much on offer it’s hardly surprising that its popularity has soared.
In recent years the word has acquired a broader meaning, and English speakers will often use it to describe a generous array of choices that have no connection with food. The phrase “Smorgasbord Spirituality” has been applied to religious belief that picks and chooses ideas from a range of faiths. And when comedian Jerry Lewis directed his final film in 1983, the collection of madcap sketches was aptly titled Smorgasbord. The film received only limited distribution in the United States but was more popular in parts of Europe, and not surprisingly received a full theatrical release in Sweden.
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