Old is Oldest – But Hard to Understand

Anders Q Björkman, writing for Svenska Dagbladet, voices concern over a perceived decline in the understanding of traditional Swedish proverbs and sayings among younger generations. He suggests that the current era, described as "out of joint," has led to a disconnect where older expressions are no longer grasped by youth.

Björkman points to the Instagram account "Brodera ut texten" (Elaborate on the text) as an illustration of this phenomenon. The account's premise, which involves expanding upon or reinterpreting older phrases, highlights for Björkman that the original meanings are likely lost on many.

He uses phrases like "ingen ko på isen" (no cow on the ice, meaning no danger) and "stämma i bäcken än i ån" (to dam the stream rather than the river, meaning to act early) as examples of sayings that might now be obscure. Björkman intends to explain these old sayings in an effort to preserve their meaning and ensure they are understood across generations.