Why Does English Have Double Words for Everything? Old English vs. Old Norse 🏰⚔️

In the previous post, we learned about Latin influence. Now, let's dive into Old English vs. Old Norse:  English has both sick and ill, child and kid, or anger and wrath.

Thanks to Viking invasions and cultural blending, Old Norse and Old English left their mark on the language we speak today. While Old English words often sound softer and more poetic, Old Norse gave us sharp, punchy terms that stuck around.

1. Street (Old English: “stræt”) vs. Way (Old Norse: “veg”)
   • Both refer to a path or road, but "street" is more commonly used for urban roads, while "way" can refer to any kind of route or road.

2. Sky (Old Norse: “ský”) vs. Cloud (Old English: “clūud”)
   • "Sky" refers to the expanse above the earth, while "cloud" refers to the mass of condensed water vapor in the sky.

3. Knife (Old Norse: “knífr”) vs. Cleaver (Old English: “cleofan”)
   • "Knife" is a general term for a cutting tool, whereas "cleaver" refers to a large, heavy knife used for chopping.

4. Anger (Old Norse: “anger”) vs. Wrath (Old English: “wræþðu”)
   • Both refer to strong feelings of displeasure, but "wrath" can imply a more intense or vengeful emotion, while "anger" is a broader, more neutral term.

5. Husband (Old Norse: “husbondi”) vs. Man (Old English: “mann”)
   • "Husband" refers specifically to a married man, while "man" is a more general term for an adult male.

6. End (Old English: “endian”) vs. Finish (Old Norse: “finnish”)
   • "End" refers to the conclusion or termination of something, while "finish" suggests completion or bringing something to a close.

7. Sick (Old Norse: “sjúkr”) vs. Ill (Old English: “yfel”)
   • Both describe a state of poor health, though "ill" is more formal, and "sick" is more commonly used in modern speech.

8. Egg (Old Norse: “egg”) vs. Ova (Old English: “ēg”)
   • Both refer to the reproductive cell, but "egg" is the modern term, while "ova" is used in biological contexts.

9. Guitar (Old Norse: “guitar”) vs. Harp (Old English: “hearp”)
   • A "guitar" refers to a modern stringed instrument, while a "harp" is an ancient stringed instrument played by plucking the strings.

10. Child (Old English: “cild”) vs. Kid (Old Norse: “kidd”)
    • Both refer to a young person, but "kid" is more informal and also refers to a young goat, while "child" is more formal.

Image credit: https://www.omniglot.com/writing/oldnorse.htm