Följar

Följar is a Swedish noun that historically denotes a person who follows someone else. In modern Swedish, the standard term is följare, used to refer to a follower in social, political, or religious contexts. Följar survives mainly as an archaic or regional variant, appearing in older manuscripts and in linguistic or historical discussions to evoke earlier language.

Originating from the verb följa, the noun uses an agentive suffix associated with older Scandinavian formations. It is seen in texts from the early modern period and is related to cognate forms in neighboring languages, while contemporary spelling has shifted toward följare.

In historical narratives, a följar can describe a retinue, adherents to a leader, or members of a faction. It appears in religious, political, and courtly contexts, often with the definite form följarna. In modern contexts about public attention or social influence, the term is generally avoided in favor of följare or anhängare.

Because of its archaic status, följar is occasionally used in literature or historical surveys to convey period flavor, or in discussions of linguistic change in Swedish. It is not used in standard contemporary Swedish outside specialized contexts.