Over the past few months I have been living in Sweden and learning their language. I've found many words I learn seem obvious or in common with my own English language. 'They' say we in England 'borrowed' the words from the Vikings when they invaded us and we have used them ever since.
As I read through travel books and look at maps I keep finding many coincidences in the languages. I know that you will probably think, didn't you know that already? But for me it gets more interesting the more I delve into it.
The first sign I noticed.
Grimsöya is just outside Oslo, Norway which led me to think of the spelling of Grimsby in northern England. I read up on it and it turns out to be the best example the historians use. Legend says 'Grim' came from the name of a Danish fisherman and 'by' is the Swedish word for 'village' and thats how Grimsby's name is formed. Grimsby is registered in the Doomsday Book, so it shows how old the name really is. Just think how many places end with 'by'? Also names with thorpe, dale, kirk, grim and by are all from Old Norse.
Closer to home.
I'm from Lancashire and I've found Scandinavian words such as 'thwaite' as in the Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn, Lancashire.
*'Thawites' which means a small, secondary piece of farmland. Thwaite is more a more Norwegian Vikings name rather than the Danish Vikings from Danelaw times.
*There's 'kirk' which means church but spelt differently in Denmark, Sweden and Norway which many of our towns are called, Kirkham, Kirkby and Ormskirk for example.
*A more common every day word in northern England is bairn for child, in Swedish it is 'barn'.
Every day you will be using words what were so called 'borrowed' so just think were it might of come from. I hope I have planted a seed in your head.
Feeling lucky for another historical interest of mine? Click here
Find out much more about Vikings and origins: www.viking.no
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