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Kennings

Discover the origins and uses of kennings, compound phrases that metaphorically describe objects and concepts, with examples and exercises.

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Kennings

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  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. Round-facer No-smiler Still-stander Two-hander Night-friendly Heart-beater Time-keeper Sudden-shrieker • What am I?

  8. A famous kenning from 1970s advertising Lipsmackin' thirstquenchin' acetastin' motivatin' goodbuzzin' cooltalkin' highwalkin' fastlivin' evergivin' coolfizzin'

  9. Don’t let this picture fool you! Think hard about this one! I go through the wood in silence And come out onto the snow Where I leave my print although I have no footsteps Where I speak your heart although I cannot breathe What am I? I’m the lead in a pencil!

  10. Let me give you a clue about the next one! Grab the beast by the horns Wrestle it down the narrow streets ‘til you break its will to skitter its own way Subdue it, burden its ribcage Let your children ride and then let it stray Who cares? They’ll send a herdsman to round it up at the end of the day What is it?

  11. A supermarket trolley!

  12. Exercise • As a group, think of a creative kenning for the following… 2. 3. 4. 1. 5. 7. 6.

  13. 1. Zombie • Flesh eater • Brain eater • Brain stealers • Brain munchers • Walking dead • Heartless Walker • Average American

  14. Riddle I use my head but have no thought, I hear your screams, and yet, I want, I have a face but see you not, Do you know the purpose I sought?

  15. 2. Cupcake • Party muffin • Sweet-clothed muffin • Dressed muffin • Small cake • Frosted delight • Sprinkled diabetes • Cute cake • Chocholately Sensation • Cup of Joy

  16. Riddle I am sweet and creamy on your tongue, Your weight will gain when I am done, I rise real high yet am one, Try to dress me and have some fun!

  17. 3. Tiger • Pretty Kitty • Dangerous Cat • Deadly Cat • Striped Hunter • Throat Ripper • Jungle Prowler • Striped Feline • Sinister Stripes • Growl Giver • Mean Muggin’ • Striped Beauty • Death Kitten • Vicious Feline • Jungle Cat

  18. Riddle I strike aggressively when you’re too close, I defend my cubs when they need it most, I roar real proud when you’re down, You cannot scream when I’m around.

  19. 4. Sunset • Orange sky • Dry ground • Falling light • Thirst giver • Watercolor wasteland • Painted sky • Golden horizon • Sinking color • Romantic Setting • Cracked Plains • Dehydration Station • Tomorrow’s Dawn • Sunflower through a Blazing Sky • Sandy Abyss • Oversized Sandbox

  20. Riddle My golden sun send you astray, I get colder when you’re away, Though many plants make nests in me, This isn’t a place where you want to be.

  21. 5. Clown • Kiddy creeper • Funny terrorer • Painted face • Big shoes • School dropouts • Creepy carnivaler • Painted Jester • Red-Nose Bandit • Children’s Nightmare

  22. Riddle I make fun of the stupidest things, I fumble through a circus like I have broken wings, I can lift your spirits at that time of day, But in some dreams, they pray for me to go away.

  23. 6. Paintbrush • Painter’s Object • Painter’s Wand • Mark Leaver • Artists’ Emotions • Painter’s Dream(maker) • Color Smearer • Canvas Dirtyer • Imagination Mover • Artist’s Utensil • Mess Maker • Drop of Art

  24. Riddle I can create but have no personal thought, The mess I make is a bloody spot, I may mean anger or distress, I am often mixed with others…that’s the best!

  25. 7. Book • Trees with words • Writer’s mind • Knowledge paper • Reader’s escape • Many words • Rustic pages • Shelf filler • Worded World • Fire fuel • Page Turner • Ancient Scriptings

  26. Riddle I send you away to glorious places, I have the ability to fit in the tiniest spaces, The beauty in my words are often known, I sometimes end up in groups or often alone.

  27. Kennings Review Take a few minutes to identify the following kennings…. 1. gas guzzler 7. cancer stick 2. muffin top 8. boob tube 3. rug rat 9. couch potato 4. land line 10. tree hugger 5. eye candy 11. ankle biter 6. battle sweat

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