Download Figurative Language: Kennings

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.
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Where did Kennings come from?
Kennings originate from the AngloSaxon.
 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"
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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:
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Squidgy ball
Dotty skin
Vitamin casing
Sticky fingers
Sweet scent
Jigsaw pieces
What am I?
Animals are good to describe in
kenning form:
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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.
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