gräddfil

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡrɛdːˌfiːl/

Attested since 1952 according to Nationalencyklopedins ordbok. From grädde (“cream”) + fil (“soured milk”).

gräddfil c

1. Sour cream.

   Glöm inte att köpa gräddfil till sillen.

   "Don't forget to buy sour cream for the herring."

• smetana
• crème fraîche

Attested since 1983 according to Nationalencyklopedins ordbok. From grädda (“cream (of society)”) + fil (“lane”). Formed by influence of etymology 1.

gräddfil c

1. (colloquial, ironic) A traffic lane for certain types of vehicles, such as car pooling automobiles, buses and taxi cabs; car pool lane.

   Har man råd att åka taxi får man alltid åka i den förbannade gräddfilen.

   "If you can afford a taxi you can always go in the damned car pool lane."

2. (colloquial, ironic) A collective term for the various methods through which privileged individuals can attain benefits such as housing, schooling, employment, etc.

   Hans föräldrar är höga partipolitiker, så han har fått åka i gräddfilen hela sitt liv.

   "Since his parents are high-ranking party politicians, he's been privileged all his life."

• bananskal
• räkmacka

• gräddfil in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• gräddfil in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)