herskab

By surface analysis, herre +‎ -skab. From Middle Low German herschop (“lordship, dominion”). The word merged with the native word Old Danish hæskap from Old Norse hyski (“family, household”), hjúskapr. Another possible etymological origin is from Old Danish hærskap, from Old Norse herskapr. Danish: hær (“army”)

Cognates: Dutch heerschappij, German Herrschaft, Low German Heerschop, Swedish herrskap

• IPA^(key): /ˈhæɐ̯ˌsɡæˀb/

herskab n (singular definite herskabet, plural indefinite herskaber)

1. (historical) lordship
2. (sarcastic). A term used to be excessively polite to someone.

   Tjener! Kom herover. Jeg er sulten og du tager for lang tid ― Waiter! Come over here. I'm hungry and you're taking too long.

   Ja. Selvfølgelig. Nu skal jeg være der. Hvad ønsker herskabet? En buffet måske? ― Yes. Of course. I'll be right there. What does his lordship wish for? A buffet perhaps?

• “herskab” in Den Danske Ordbog
• “herskab” in Ordbog over det danske Sprog