Words about words: Aloft
Follow the journey of the word “aloft,” descending from two Old Norse adjectives through early English to the modern adverb and preposition in the 1800s.
Author: M. Michael Brady
Words about words: score
Made famous in Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, the word “score” has its origins in an Old Norse word used for counting sheep.
The Dovre Line
The Dovre Line is the 344-mile-long line of the Norwegian railway network between Oslo and Trondheim that is prominent in Norwegian national awareness.
Kessen, kesst, keffer
Norwegian broadcasting (NRK) now allows its radio and TV show hosts to speak in their own dialects, rather than only in standard nynorsk or bokmål.
Bark, a tree tale
Follow the journey of the word “bark” from the Old Norse “bökr” to its contemporary spelling and use in English and the Scandinavian languages.
Hulda Garborg
Hulda Garborg was an important leader in the “Norwegianness” movement of 1880s and promoted the bunad as the Norwegian national folk costume.
The word “Norway”
Hipp hipp hurra for Norge! In honor of Norway’s national day, explore the origins of the word “Norway” and its journey from Old Norse to English.
New language law benefits minorities
As a new language law passed by the Storting protects the Kven language and boosts Sámi languages, here is a brief history of these communities in Norway.
Viking: Old Norse origin doubtful
History suggests that the traditionally accepted origin of the word “Viking” may not be entirely accurate. M. Michael Brady shares a different origin story.
The Norwegian Helsebok
In Norway, all residents are required to have a Helsebok (Health Booklet), an official permit and record of an individual’s use of health services.
