Getapulien

Swedish

Etymology

Compound of get (“goat”) +‎ Apulien (“Apulia, Italian region”). Likely originated from getpul (“goat bestialist”). The perceived notion that both regions have poor soil that is better suited for grazing than cultivation might also be an attributing factor, as well as that goats were fairly hardy livestock. First attested in 1860.

Proper noun

Getapulien n (genitive Getapuliens)

1. (archaic, humorous) Synonym of Småland (“region in southern Sweden”)
   • 1857 December 3, Aftonbladet, page 2:

     Det är ett vackert land detta Småland, åtminstone att döma af det man lär känna deraf, då man reser landvägen från Skåne, utefter Lagaån: jag tviflar derpå, att många landskap ha att bjuda den resande på så storartade utsigter; aldrig hade jag åtminstone trott att Getapulien skulle framträda för mina ögon i så vackert skick.

     It is a fair country, this Småland, at least judging by that portion thereof which one becomes acquainted with when journeying by land from Scania, along the course of the River Lagan. I doubt whether many landscapes can offer the traveller such grand prospects; never had I, at least, believed that Småland would appear before mine eyes in such fine condition.

   • 1876 March 18, “Tittskåp [Diorama]”, in Halland, page 3:

     Uugerſvennen ville partout gifta ſig i rappet och for till Getapulien för att tjena pengar, ſom tillsammans med den ſtora förmögenheten i Göteborg kunde bli en rätt vacker grundplåt, tyckte han.

     The young bachelor, insistent on marrying in haste, set forth to Småland to earn his fortune, believing that combined with the grand wealth in Gothenburg, it could form a rather handsome foundation.

Related terms

• getapulisk (adjective)
• getapuliansk (adjective)