i fjol

Swedish

Alternative forms

i fjor (mostly southern Sweden)

Etymology

From Old Norse fjǫrð, from Proto-Germanic *ferudi (“last year”), from Proto-Indo-European *peruti (“last year”, literally “on the other side of a year”). The development from rð > l (originally /ɽ/) is characteristic of the traditional dialects of central and northern Sweden, compare e.g. vålnad, hin håle.

Adverb

i fjol

last year
- (Can we date this quote?), traditional (lyrics and music), “I fjol så gick jag med herrarna i hagen [Last year I went with the men in the pasture]”, in Skillingtryck [Broadside ballads]‎^[1], performed by Hootenanny Singers:
  I fjol så gick jag med herrarna i hagen. Ja, ja, med herrarna i hagen. Ja, med herrarna i hagen. I år har jag något som sparkar i magen. Aj, aj, som sparkar i magen. Aj, som sparkar i magen.
  Last year I went with the men in the pasture. Yes, yes, with the men in the pasture. Yes, with the men in the pasture. This year I have something that kicks in my belly. Ow, ow, that kicks in my belly. Ow, that kicks in my belly.

Related terms

fjolår

References