Old Norse anger
Words about words M. Michael Brady The word anger, a noun and a verb in modern English, retains the sense and usage of two Old Norse words from which it descends, the noun, angr,...
Category: Norsk Språk
Much ado about ado
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway The word ado descends from the equivalent in English of the Old Norse word at, a preposition used as an infinitive marker, which is a word...
The “by” in “bylaw”
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway The word bylaw means a standing rule governing the regulation of a society’s or an organization’s internal affairs. It first occurred in the mid-13th century in...
Norsk 101: Norway in Red, White, and Blue
(Norge i rødt, hvitt og blått) Language practice with Christie Ericson The 17th of May will soon be here again (Snart er det atter en gang 17. mai) and Norwegians are preparing to celebrate...
The Public Library in Norway (Folkebiblioteket i Norge)
Norsk 101 Language practice with Christie Ericson As a librarian (Som bibliotekar), I like to visit (liker jeg å besøke) other libraries (andre bibliotek) when I travel (når jeg reiser). So of course (Så...
“Litmus” is a dyed in the moss Norse word
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway Litmus is the name of a blue coloring matter obtained from certain species of fungus, particularly Roccella tinctoria, which was first described in 1805. In acid...
What’s a felæger?
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway Words come and go in Norwegian, as they do in other languages. Often words fall into disuse in everyday language yet persist in some sectors. One...
To snub, Norse style
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway The verb to snub means to rebuke or reprove in a cutting or sharp way; the noun snub derived from the verb means the act of...
Finding “freckles”
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway The word freckle is a descriptive term for a small, brownish spot on the skin caused by a deposition of pigment. It’s among the oldest recorded...
Mistake’s Norse origin
Words about words M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway The word mistake is a verb and a noun, both of which descend from the Old Norse verb mistaka, meaning “to take by mistake.” It may...
