gnome of Zürich

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Popularized by Labour politician George Brown during the sterling crisis of 1964.[1]

Noun

gnome of Zürich (plural gnomes of Zürich)

  1. (derogatory, humorous) A Swiss banker.
    • 1968 June 24, Adam Smith, “My Friend the Gnome of Zurich Says Don't Look Over Your Shoulder, A Major Money Crisis Is Gaining on You”, in New York Magazine, volume 1, number 12, page 17:
      When the pound was under attack, Mr. Brown said it was “the Gnomes of Zurich” who were out to bust it.

References
  1. John Smullen, Nicholas Hand, editors (2005), “gnomes of Zürich”, in A Dictionary of Finance and Banking, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 182
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