idolisera

Idolisera is a Swedish verb meaning to regard someone or something with intense, worshipful admiration, often to the point of treating them as an idol. It is commonly used about celebrities, public figures, fictional characters, or ideals. The act can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on the context; beundra denotes mere admiration, while idolisera implies stronger, sometimes excessive devotion.

Etymology and forms: The term is formed from the noun idol and a derivational suffix -isera, used in Swedish to turn a noun into a verb meaning to treat in the manner of an idol. The root idol comes from Latin idolum, likely via French or English. The related noun idolisering denotes the process of idolizing, and en idol or idoler can refer to the person who is idolized.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary Swedish, idolisera often carries a sense of intensity and can have negative connotations if the admiration seems blind or unhealthy. It is commonly used in discussions of pop culture, fandom, or public figures, as well as in religious language where idolatry is a topic. The term sits between everyday admiration and more extreme devotion, and its tone is influenced by context and intention.

See also: Idol, idolisering, idolatry. The concept covers both secular admiration for public figures and the broader idea of worship or reverence that resembles religious idolatry in certain contexts.