Bedeutung
To be left with the responsibility or blame.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The card game Sorteper is a staple of Danish childhood. Almost every Danish child learns this game, which is why the idiom is so deeply embedded in the national consciousness. It's often the first time children experience the 'unfairness' of a random loss. In Danish workplaces, there is a high degree of trust. However, when things go wrong, the 'Sorteper' idiom is used to criticize 'ansvarsfralæggelse' (avoidance of responsibility). It is a culturally significant way to call out unfairness without being overly aggressive. Danish political commentators use this phrase almost weekly. It is a key part of the 'political theater' vocabulary in Denmark, used to describe the fallout of negotiations in the parliament (Folketinget). There is a growing awareness of the name 'Sorteper'. While not widely considered offensive in Denmark yet, some modern versions of the game use different characters (like a monster or an animal) to avoid the 'Black Peter' imagery.
Use it in Business
If you want to sound like a native in a Danish office, use this phrase when discussing project risks. It shows high-level cultural awareness.
Don't over-pluralize
Even if multiple people are blamed, we usually say they 'sidder med Sorteper' (singular), as it refers to the single 'loser' card.
Bedeutung
To be left with the responsibility or blame.
Use it in Business
If you want to sound like a native in a Danish office, use this phrase when discussing project risks. It shows high-level cultural awareness.
Don't over-pluralize
Even if multiple people are blamed, we usually say they 'sidder med Sorteper' (singular), as it refers to the single 'loser' card.
The 'Black Peter' debate
Be aware that some younger Danes might find the term slightly dated due to its name, though it is still widely used in all media.
Teste dich selbst
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Da alle de andre investorer trak deres penge ud, endte han med at sidde med _______.
Det korrekte idiom er 'at sidde med Sorteper'.
Hvilken betydning er korrekt for 'at sidde med Sorteper'?
Hvad betyder det, hvis en politiker 'sidder med Sorteper'?
Idiomet betyder at stå tilbage med ansvaret eller skylden.
Match situationen med det rigtige udtryk.
Tre venner bestiller pizza. To af dem går uden at betale. Den sidste ven skal betale for det hele.
Situationen beskriver en person, der er efterladt med en regning/ansvar, som de andre burde have delt.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenDa alle de andre investorer trak deres penge ud, endte han med at sidde med _______.
Det korrekte idiom er 'at sidde med Sorteper'.
Hvad betyder det, hvis en politiker 'sidder med Sorteper'?
Idiomet betyder at stå tilbage med ansvaret eller skylden.
Tre venner bestiller pizza. To af dem går uden at betale. Den sidste ven skal betale for det hele.
Situationen beskriver en person, der er efterladt med en regning/ansvar, som de andre burde have delt.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but 'at sidde med Sorteper' is more common when describing the ongoing state of being blamed.
Generally no, but like many old idioms, its name is occasionally discussed in the context of political correctness. In 99% of cases, it's fine.
Yes, 'Sorteper' is always an unwanted card/burden. You never want to sit with it.
Absolutely. 'Jeg sad med Sorteper' is a common way to complain about being left with a task.
Jeg 'sad' med Sorteper.
It's a bit informal for an interview, but perfect for a casual chat with colleagues.
Very close, but 'Sorteper' implies a game or a process where the blame was passed around first.
Yes, it is very common in journalism and opinion pieces.
No, 'Sorteper' is a proper noun in this context. You don't say 'Sorteperer'.
Yes, Swedish has 'Svarte Petter' and Norwegian has 'Svarte-Per' with similar meanings.
Verwandte Redewendungen
at stå med aben
synonymTo be left with the problem/responsibility.
at trække det korteste strå
similarTo be the unlucky one.
at bære nag
contrastTo hold a grudge.
at få aben placeret
builds onTo successfully pass the blame to someone else.
