The story of Burnt Njal - From the Icelandic of the Njals Saga by Anonymous
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page 10 of 597 (01%)
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in form or feature, or in temper and turn of mind, gave rise to a
surname or nickname, which clung to him through life as a distinguishing mark. The Post Office in the United States is said to give persons in the same district, with similar names, an initial of identification, which answers the same purpose, as the Icelandic nickname, thus: "John _P_ Smith."--"John _Q_ Smith". As a general rule the translator has withstood the temptation to use old English words. "Busk" and "boun" he pleads guilty to, because both still linger in the language understood by few. "Busk" is a reflective formed from 'eat búa sik,' "to get oneself ready," and "boun" is the past participle of the active form "búa, búinn," to get ready. When the leader in Old Ballads says-- "Busk ye, busk ye, My bonny, bonny me," he calls on his followers to equip themselves; when they are thus equipped they are "boun". A bride "busks" herself for the bridal; when she is dressed she is "boun". In old times a ship was "busked" for a voyage; when she was filled and ready for sea she was "boun"--whence come our outward "bound" and homeward "bound". These with "redes" for counsels or plans are almost the only words in the translation which are not still in everyday use. SIR GEORGE DASENT'S INTRODUCTION. (ABRIDGED). |
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