Etymology Map
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Skald

2 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means an ancient Scandinavian poet, especially at a royal court

Where does the word "skald" come from? It comes from Old Norse skáld, adopted directly into English (1760s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
skáld
Old Norse · 800s-1200s
"poet"
court poets, many of them Icelanders such as Egill Skallagrímsson, praised Norwegian kings in intricate verse
2
Stage 2 of 2
skald
English · 1760s
"Norse court poet"
English readers met Norse poetry through translations such as Thomas Percy's 'Five Pieces of Runic Poetry' of 1763
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Read the full story

Skald’s story begins in Old Norse: skáld meant “poet.” Court poets, many of them Icelanders such as Egill Skallagrímsson, praised Norwegian kings in intricate verse. It reached English by 1760s as skald. English readers met Norse poetry through translations such as Thomas Percy's 'Five Pieces of Runic Poetry' of 1763. Today, skald means an ancient Scandinavian poet, especially at a royal court.