Comments on: The Scandinavian Connection

By: bob

bob — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:19:04 +0000

with all likelihood, the most frequent use of a Scandinavian word in english is “Yule-tide”, which almost certainly comes from Old Norse “Jul.”
..the “J” in Danish, Swedish, etc., is pronounced “Y” when used this way.
“Juletide” in Danish is “Christmas – time” [Jul=Christmas; tide=time.]

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:41:59 +0000

Thanks, Choppi. I am sure there are many words of Scandinavian origin in use in English. Got any to add that are still in use in their original form?

By: choppi

choppi — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:06:37 +0000

another word which has been used in English, but is not common, is barn in the meaning, child or children, although it is probably spelled bairn when used in English. I’m sure there are a lot of them.
Often you cannot prove the word is actually Swedish in origin as opposed to German. But the Normans were Swedes. So there is a direct link into our language. Unfortunately, the ability to speak and understand Swedish is of no value unless one finds oneself in Sweden. Even there, it has only social (personal) value, not commercial value. This is due to the fact that all Swedes learn English is school. There is some interesting and entertaining writing in Swedish, however, so ability to read Swedish is useful.
But, back on subject, is kiosk a Swedish word ?
Renn ? (Reindeer).
Soppa soup
Sten stone
Mil mile (but probably Latin)
By the way, in Sweden, if some helpful person tells you ‘it is only one mile up ahead’, don’t expect it to be just over a kilometer. What they mean by one ‘mile’ (en mil) is TEN kilometers !
Bye for now

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:28:33 +0000

I’ve picked up a few words myself, Chris, including ‘I don’t speak Swedish’ in Swedish

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:04:10 +0000

I was an exchange student in Sweden when I was in high school. I lived with three different families, the second of which couldn’t speak English. I learned Swedish quickly. Since then, I’ve adopted several Swedish words in my vocabulary including du, ja, hej, and jasa.