Ola Nordmann
Encyclopedia
Ola Nordmann is a name for the typical Norwegian person, a personification of the whole population in general.
For example: A headline in a newspaper that reads Norwegians consume less milk could be just as well read Ola Nordmann drinks less milk.
Caricatures of Ola Nordmann as a national personification
of Norway usually depict him as a blond-haired man dressed in bunad
-like traditional folk clothing and wearing a woollen red top cap - the traditional headwear of a Norwegian gnome
or nisse
. This headwear were also worn by the traditional Norwegian farmer, mostly in the old norwegian farm culture
. In the romantic national period, the farmer often came to represent the Norwegian people as a whole, hence the representation.
or John Q. Public
).
for a Norwegian, i.e. "Ola Norwegian".
As a national personification
The media often uses "Ola Nordmann" to describe trends in the population.For example: A headline in a newspaper that reads Norwegians consume less milk could be just as well read Ola Nordmann drinks less milk.
Caricatures of Ola Nordmann as a national personification
National personification
A national personification is an anthropomorphization of a nation or its people; it can appear in both editorial cartoons and propaganda.Some early personifications in the Western world tended to be national manifestations of the majestic wisdom and war goddess Minerva/Athena, and often took the...
of Norway usually depict him as a blond-haired man dressed in bunad
Bunad
Bunad is an umbrella term encompassing, in its broadest sense, a range of both traditional rural garments as well modern 20th century folk costumes. In its narrow sense the word Bunad does only refer to garments constructed in the early 20th century very loosely based on tradition...
-like traditional folk clothing and wearing a woollen red top cap - the traditional headwear of a Norwegian gnome
Gnome
A gnome is a diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature...
or nisse
Nisse
Nisse can refer to:* Nisse, Netherlands, a town in the municipality of Borsele* Another name for the tomte, a mythical creature in Scandinavian mythology* A pet form of the Scandinavian given name Niels, Nils-See also:...
. This headwear were also worn by the traditional Norwegian farmer, mostly in the old norwegian farm culture
Norwegian farm culture
The Norwegian farm culture was a rural movement unique in values and practices which assumed a form in Viking Age Norway, and continued with little change into the age of firearms - and in many respects even to the early 20th century...
. In the romantic national period, the farmer often came to represent the Norwegian people as a whole, hence the representation.
As a collective pseudonym
Ola Nordmann is also used as a default name in examples used to guide people in how to fill in forms etc.(Similar to John DoeJohn Doe
The name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
or John Q. Public
John Q. Public
John Q. Public is a generic name in the United States to denote a hypothetical member of society deemed a "common man." He is presumed to represent the randomly selected "man on the street."...
).
Etymology
Ola is a common male first name in Norway (derived from Olav/Olaf), and Nordmann is a demonymDemonym
A demonym , also referred to as a gentilic, is a name for a resident of a locality. A demonym is usually – though not always – derived from the name of the locality; thus, the demonym for the people of England is English, and the demonym for the people of Italy is Italian, yet, in english, the one...
for a Norwegian, i.e. "Ola Norwegian".
Kari Nordmann
The female equivalent or variant is personified as Kari Nordmann, "Kari and Ola Nordmann" is often used together to describe the archetypical Norwegian family or household.See also
- Joe Bloggs
- John BullJohn BullJohn Bull is a national personification of Britain in general and England in particular, especially in political cartoons and similar graphic works. He is usually depicted as a stout, middle-aged man, often wearing a Union Flag waistcoat.-Origin:...
- John DoeJohn DoeThe name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
- John Q. PublicJohn Q. PublicJohn Q. Public is a generic name in the United States to denote a hypothetical member of society deemed a "common man." He is presumed to represent the randomly selected "man on the street."...
- Ole and LenaOle and LenaOle and Lena are central characters in jokes by Scandinavian Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota where Scandinavian immigrant traditions are common.-Format:Ole and Lena jokes can be long and...
- Uncle SamUncle SamUncle Sam is a common national personification of the American government originally used during the War of 1812. He is depicted as a stern elderly man with white hair and a goatee beard...