"The Dane is coming!"
Translation:Dansken kommer!
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1746
In some other post on this expression they said it probably evolved over time from the many wars fought between Denmark and Sweden. Where the expression the "The Danes are coming" would have some serious meaning.
Don't Sweden and Denmark also have a relationship where they constantly rag on each other too?
Actually it's more of a Stockholm syndrome relationship with the Danes never missing an occasion to point out how bad Sweden is and the Swedes always declaring their love for Denmark, no matter what.
Why have i never noticed it's called Stockholm syndrome? What is the relation, if any??
There was a bank robbery in Stockholm in 1973 called Norrmalmstorgsdramat, during which two people took four others hostage. As the situation progressed, the hostages started protecting the robbers. International coverage of the drama called it "Stockholm syndrome", and the term stuck.
isn't the definite form of "dansk", "danska"? if it's "dansken" then if i want to say "a dane" can I say "en dansk"?
"Danska"=the danish language, "dansk"= a danish person. The definite form of "danska" is "danskan" and the definite form of "dansk" is "dansken". Yes "a dane" is "en dansk", but you are refering to one person only, while "dansken" in this sentence is refering to the danes as a nation. So you can say "en dansk kommer" but it's not as intimidating. :)
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Is it singular because the idiom just evolved like this or is there a particular reason for it not to be plural?
I think it's just idiomatic. We'd do the same for other nationalities, but I can't figure out a grammatical reason why.
