skummiga

Skummiga is the plural or attributive form of the Swedish adjective skummig, used to describe something as foamy or frothy. The primary literal sense is physical: a surface or liquid that is covered with foam, bubbles or a foamy texture. Examples include skummiga bubblor in hot chocolate or en skummig yta on a surface. The word derives from skum, meaning foam or froth, with the suffix -ig forming an adjective.

In addition to its literal meaning, skummig has a figurative sense in Swedish. It can describe people, actions, or situations that feel strange, dubious, or suspicious. In this usage, it conveys a sense of unreliability or oddness, similar to terms like shady or dodgy in English. Common phrases include descriptions of behavior or events as skummigt or skumma, indicating that they raise doubts about their legitimacy or integrity. The figurative use is common in colloquial speech and media commentary.

Etymology and related forms: skum comes from the noun for foam or scum, and the adjective is formed with the suffix -ig. The word has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish skummig, reflecting shared Germanic roots.

See also: foam, froth, dodgy, shady.