Kennings

What is a Kenning? A kenning is a compound figurative or phrase that aims to replace the noun.  It frequently consists of two words that describe the noun. It is a way of describing something indirectly, like a metaphor or simile.

Where did Kennings come from? Kennings originate from the Anglo- Saxon.  But they were also used by other Scandinavian cultures (i.e. Vikings). The word kenning is derived from the Old Norse phrase kenna eitt við, which means "to express a thing in terms of another"

Early examples One of the earliest forms of kenning in literature comes from the poem Beowulf where: “whale road” describes the sea. “skull splitter” describes an axe.  “mead bearer” describes a woman.

Kennings, when written or spoken as a list, can create short riddles: Squidgy ball Dotty skin Vitamin casing Sticky fingers Sweet scent Jigsaw pieces What am I?

Animals are good to describe in kenning form: Quiet prowler Night howler Free mealer Chicken stealer Rusty splasher Hunter dasher What am I?

Exercise Think of a noun – glasses, octopus, tomato. Now gather together groups of kennings that describe the noun. Now put those kennings in a list and try to use alliteration, rhyme and rhythm to make them sound poetic.