KENNING

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.

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

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

Kennings Related to Battle

Battle 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

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