Kennings and Examples

Definition of Kennings, Examples of Kennings

1. Kenning

2. It is is a metaphoric expression that replaces a name or a noun. Often it is a compound of two words and the words are hyphenated. Kennings are usually associated with Old Norse, Icelandic, and Anglo Saxon poetry.

3. KENNING MEANING Light-of-battle Sword Fighting-gear, battle-gear Body armor Battle-sweat Blood Life would have ended [...] under wide earth Would have died

4. Modern Examples of Kennings Ankle-biter = a very young child Bean counter = a CPA or accountant Bookworm = someone who reads a lot Brown noser = person who does anything to gain approval First Lady - wife of the president Four-eyes = someone who wears glasses Head twister = owl Hot potato = something no one wants Mind-reader = A person who knows what you are thinking Motor mouth = person who talks a lot and/or fast Pencil pusher = person with a clerical job Postman chaser = dog Rug rat = toddler or crawling baby Show-stopper = performance receiving long applause Tree hugger = an environmentalist Tree swinger = monkey Tummy slider = penguin

5. Kennings Related to Battle Ba ttle metal = weapons Battle-sweat = blood Black song = reaver’s war cry Blood-ember = axe  Bone-beak = axe Dew of slaughter = blood Feeding the eagle = killing enemies Light-of-battle = sword Mind's worth = honor Toast of ravens = blood Traveling the Hel road = dying War needles = arrows Weather of weapons = large-scale battle Wound-hoe = sword

6. Kennings Related to People Bear shirt = berserker (Norse warrior) Bringer of rings = chieftain or king Children of battle = soldiers  Feller of the life-webs = slayer Feeder of eagles/ravens = warrior Fire beater = smith Forseti’s favored = diplomat Girl of the houses = wife Lord of laughter = composer, poet or Norse god Loki Ring giver = chief Rune caller = wizard Shield-gnawer = berserker (Norse warrior) Slayer of giants = Thor