Donald Knuth seems to be quite fond of Scandinavia. He did a sabbatical in Norway, where he also wrote a children's book: "Surreal Numbers: How Two Ex-Students Turned on to Pure Mathematics and Found Total Happiness." Knuth's ancestors moved during the 19th century from Germany to the US. His father's family lived close to the Danish border [1].

[0]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB0aeePskBg&list=PLVV0r6CmEs... [1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnoFvUnL6xU&list=PLVV0r6CmEs...

Probably because he likes it.

If you look at some of the other Christmas lectures, you'll see he's often (always?) wearing the same outfit. So, tradition!

This is a genuine question based on my desire to get a better understanding of our current progressive culture. I am not passing judgement and I hope you can answer honestly. Did you ask this question with the term 'cultural appropriation' in mind? Does this sweater make you uncomfortable and if so why?

I took it as a Christmas sweater…