1. Kennings

2. 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.

3. 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"

4. 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.

5. 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?

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

7. 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.