tomte

Etymology
From, from. . Cognate with 🇨🇬.

Etymology
Attested since 1790 according to Svenska Akademiens ordbok. An elliptic form of or  with the same meaning. Derived from. The association between the mythological creature and Santa Claus had its origins in the 19th century (first attestation is from 1864) and was firmly established in the middle of the 20th century.

Noun

 * 1)  A small human-like creature in Nordic folklore that lives on farmsteads and watches over their inhabitants; a brownie, a gnome.
 * 2)  Santa Claus
 * 3)  A person who behaves irresponsibly, oddly or incompetently.
 * 4)  A person that diligently tends to practical matters.
 * 1)  A person who behaves irresponsibly, oddly or incompetently.
 * 2)  A person that diligently tends to practical matters.
 * 1)  A person who behaves irresponsibly, oddly or incompetently.
 * 2)  A person that diligently tends to practical matters.
 * 1)  A person that diligently tends to practical matters.

Synonyms

 * ,, , , , (often one of Santa’s helpers in modern times)