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'''Norse''' is an adjective relating things to [[Norway]], [[Denmark]], [[Iceland]] and [[Sweden]]. To refer to the modern people or culture of Norway, use "Norwegian".
'''Norse''' is an adjective relating things to [[Norway]], [[Denmark]], [[Iceland]] and [[Sweden]]. To refer to the modern people or culture of Norway, use "Norwegian".


The [[etymology]] of the adjective "''[[wikt:norse|norse]]''" is somewhat surprising as one would expect it to have entered the English language through either the already present native stem "''[[north]]''" or via a [[North Germanic languages|Scandinavian language]]. Yet "''Norse''" (which entered [[English language|English]] in 1598) derives from the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] word "''noors''", the adjective form of "''[[Norway|Norwegian]]''" .The alternative and simpler explanation is that it derives from the word "Norsk" in Norwegian which is the term those speakers use for themselves. Similarly, the English term "Norway" is a mis-hearing of the native pronunciation of the word "Norge" - heard correctly as "nar-(ch)ay"''"<ref>Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary. "Norse." 2001. February 26, 2007. ([http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Norse web link])</ref>. The Scandinavian equivalent of the word is ''norrøn'', or ''norrön'' (Icelandic: ''norræn''). The modern English form (which sounds almost identical to the Dutch term) may be used in a number of ways:
The [[etymology]] of the adjective "''[[wikt:norse|norse]]''" is somewhat surprising as one would expect it to have entered the English language through either the already present native stem "''[[north]]''" or via a [[North Germanic languages|Scandinavian language]]. Yet "''Norse''" (which entered [[English language|English]] in 1598) derives from the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] word "''noors''", the adjective form of "''[[Norway|Norwegian]]''" .The alternative and simpler explanation is that it derives from the word "Norsk" in Norwegian which is the term those speakers use for themselves. Similarly, the English term "Norway" is a mis-hearing of the native pronunciation of the word "Norge" ''"<ref>Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary. "Norse." 2001. February 26, 2007. ([http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Norse web link])</ref>. The Scandinavian equivalent of the word is ''norrøn'', or ''norrön'' (Icelandic: ''norræn''). The modern English form (which sounds almost identical to the Dutch term) may be used in a number of ways:
* [[Norse mythology]] describes ancient Scandinavian beliefs.
* [[Norse mythology]] describes ancient Scandinavian beliefs.
* [[Norse paganism]]
* [[Norse paganism]]

Revision as of 12:07, 7 March 2008

Norse is an adjective relating things to Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. To refer to the modern people or culture of Norway, use "Norwegian".

The etymology of the adjective "norse" is somewhat surprising as one would expect it to have entered the English language through either the already present native stem "north" or via a Scandinavian language. Yet "Norse" (which entered English in 1598) derives from the Dutch word "noors", the adjective form of "Norwegian" .The alternative and simpler explanation is that it derives from the word "Norsk" in Norwegian which is the term those speakers use for themselves. Similarly, the English term "Norway" is a mis-hearing of the native pronunciation of the word "Norge" "[1]. The Scandinavian equivalent of the word is norrøn, or norrön (Icelandic: norræn). The modern English form (which sounds almost identical to the Dutch term) may be used in a number of ways:

  • Norse mythology describes ancient Scandinavian beliefs.
  • Norse paganism
  • Norsemen applies to Scandinavian people before the Christianization of Scandinavia.
  • North Germanic languages (through the synonym "Nordic languages") comprises a group of modern languages spoken in Scandinavia and nearby lands.
    • West Norse is a term describing the modern languages of Norwegian, Faroese and Icelandic within the North Germanic language group.
    • East Norse is a term describing the modern languages of Danish and Swedish within the North Germanic language group.
    • Proto-Norse language is the Indo-European language in use from 100 BC to 800 AD, predecessor of Old Norse.
    • Old Norse language was the Germanic language in use from 800 AD to 1300 AD.
  • Norse art describes Scandinavian art of the period 400 AD to 1066 AD and sometimes of the pre-historic period 1700 BCto 500 AD.
  • "Norselands" is a fictional land in the Age of Mythology computer game series; the "Norse" also comprise one of three playable civilisations within the game.
  • The inhabitants of Norsca are a fictional land in the Warhammer Fantasy game setting.
  • The Norse are the mascot of the Northern Kentucky University athletic teams.

See also

Norse is a Conquer Club Legend

References

  1. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary. "Norse." 2001. February 26, 2007. (web link)