“Alter Schwede!” Where the German Expression Comes From and What It Means

“Alter Schwede!”, literally “old Swede!”, is a popular exclamation in German, especially in the north of Germany. People say it when they are amazed, surprised or impressed, much like “Wow!” or “Good heavens!”. It can also be a friendly way of addressing a mate: “Na, alter Schwede, wie geht’s?” (“Hey, old Swede, how are you?”). So what do the Swedes have to do with it?

The best-known explanation: Swedish drill instructors in Prussia

After the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), the Swedish army was considered one of the best in Europe. Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, known as the “Great Elector”, is said to have recruited experienced Swedish soldiers to train his troops. These veteran instructors were known for their discipline and tough drill and were respectfully called “old Swedes”. According to this story, the label for seasoned, hardy men later turned into an exclamation of admiration.

Sweden in northern Germany

This explanation has not been firmly proven. It is plausible, however, that the phrase is linked to Sweden’s long presence in northern Germany. After the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, Western Pomerania with Stralsund and Greifswald, the town of Wismar and the duchies of Bremen and Verden belonged to the Swedish realm, parts of them into the 19th century. In Wismar, the “Swedish heads” at the harbour still recall that era, and the town holds a Swedish festival every year. The oldest surviving town house on Wismar’s market square is even called “Alter Schwede” and houses a restaurant.

How the phrase is used today

• Amazement: “Alter Schwede, what a sunset!”
• Praise: “Alter Schwede, you did a great job.”
• Shock: “Alter Schwede, that was close.”
• Greeting a friend: “Alter Schwede, long time no see!”

The expression is colloquial and meant kindly. It is not derogatory, neither towards Swedes nor towards the person addressed.

What Swedes make of it

Hardly anyone in Sweden knows the German phrase, and translated literally (“gammal svensk”) it makes no sense there. A surprised Swede is more likely to say “Oj!”, “Oj då!” or “Wow!”. Explaining the phrase to Swedes usually raises a smile, though, since its meaning is so friendly.

What this means for travellers

If you are interested in the shared history, the Swedish traces along Germany’s Baltic coast combine well with a trip to Sweden, for example on the way to the ferries from Rostock or Travemünde. The old towns of Wismar and Stralsund are a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can find the ferry and other connections to Sweden in our guide Travel to Sweden.

Sources

• Hanseatic Town of Wismar – town history and the Swedish period
• UNESCO: Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar