Recently I learnt the Swedish word genomsnitt [jèːnɔmˌsnɪt], which means average or approximately. I thought I’d write about it as I like the way it sounds.

It comes genom (though, across) and snitt (a cut, an average). Genom comes from the Old Norse gegn (through), and snitt comes from the Proto-Germanic *snit (cutting, pruning, harversting).

Genom also appears in other words, including:

• genombrott = a breakthrough, a breakdown
• genombruten = openwork, lace, laced, transparent
• genomföra = carry out, realize, accomplish, execute
• genomgående = throughout
• genomgång = a walkthrough, a briefing, a summary
• genomskinlig = translucent; transparent
• genomslag = impact
• genomsnittlig = average, mean

Genom also means genome.

Snitt also means dainty sandwich, fashion, incision, cut, section.

Related words, and other words containing snitt include:

• snida = to carve
• snidare = cutter
• snideri / snidande = carving
• snitta = averaging, dollar cost averaging, to gash
• snittning = averaging
• kägelsnitt = conic section
• avsnitt = section, part, sector
• kejsarsnitt = cesarean
• tvärsnitt = cross section
• träsnitt = woodcut

Sources: bab.la, Wiktionary