fylgifiskur

From fylgja (“to follow”) +‎ fiskur (“a fish”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɪlcɪˌfɪskʏr/

fylgifiskur m (genitive singular fylgifisks, nominative plural fylgifiskar)

1. (idiomatic) something (usually inconvenient) that always accompanies something larger or comes as a result of it, an unwanted result, comes with the territory, part and parcel

   Synonyms: koma í kjölfarið, afleiðing

   Streita er fylgifiskur þess að vinna of mikið. ― Working too much results in stress.

   Hernaðaræfingar eru fylgifiskur þess að vera í NATÓ. ― Military excercises are something that we have to accept as a part of us being members of NATO.

2. (dated, derogatory) follower, adherent, lackey, henchman

   Synonyms: stuðningsmaður, skósveinn, handbendi

   Ráðherra skipaði fylgifiska sína í starfið. ― The minister gave the job to some of his lackeys.

• fylginautur
• fylgdarmaður