matsäck

Swedish

Etymology

From Old Swedish matsäkker. Equivalent of mat (“food”) +‎ säck (“sack”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /²masɛk/
• (spelling pronunciation) IPA^(key): /²mɑːtˌsɛk/

Noun

matsäck c

1. packed lunch

   Synonym: (colloquial) massäck

Usage notes

• Matsäck can either be pronounced with a short first vowel and no /t/, or with a long first vowel and an audible /t/. The first pronunciation is older and is an example of complete regressive assimilation, where clusters such as -ts- and -ds- were assimilated to -ss-, which also found in the pronunciation of words like ledsen, låtsas, midsommar, skjutsa, and many others. The second pronunciation is newer and has a reintroduced /t/ due to spelling pronunciation. Both are considered standard and correct.

Declension

Declension of matsäck

		nominative	genitive
singular	indefinite	matsäck	matsäcks
	definite	matsäcken	matsäckens
plural	indefinite	matsäckar	matsäckars
	definite	matsäckarna	matsäckarnas

References

• matsäck in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• Hur ska man uttala midsommar och matsäck?. Frågelådan. Swedish Language Council.