smorgasbord

[ smawr-guhs-bawrd, -bohrdor, often, shmawr- ]

noun

1. a buffet meal of various hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, salads, casserole dishes, meats, cheeses, etc.
2. an extensive array or variety:

   The company has a smorgasbord of employee benefits.

smorgasbord

/ ˈsmɜː-; ˈsmɔːɡəsˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a variety of cold or hot savoury dishes, such as pâté, smoked salmon, etc, served in Scandinavia as hors d'oeuvres or as a buffet meal

Word History and Origins

Origin of smorgasbord¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Swedish smörgåsbord, equivalent to smörgås “(slice of) bread and butter, sandwich,” from smör “butter”; ( smear ( def ) ) + gås “goose, (dialect) lump of fat or butter” ( goose ( def ) ) + bord “table” ( board ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of smorgasbord¹

Swedish, from smörgås sandwich + bord table

Example Sentences

During his presidency, photos of Trump serving a smorgasbord of Filet-O-Fishes and Quarter Pounders to the Clemson University football players during their 2019 visit to the White House made headlines.

From Salon

You see, much like LiFER Shop’s Butterfly Dress, a Libra is here to dance in a twirly skirt dreamt in a smorgasbord of colors, paying homage to that ever-elusive, always-dazzling creature of the sky, fluttering by and gracing space with an iridescent sheen.

From Los Angeles Times

As you ascended the labyrinthine stairs of scaffolding, you’d eventually arrive at the open top level where you’d take in a 360-degree view of Burning Man, which, especially at nighttime, was a visual smorgasbord of swirling lights and nebulous fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Think of last year’s emo-focused When We Were Young in Las Vegas or Besame Mucho, a Latin music smorgasbord served up in December at Dodger Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

Magnanimous and proud, smiling and generous, Trump presented a smorgasbord.

From Salon

Related Words

• array
• assortment
• hodgepodge
• mishmash