Kenning Examples

Kenning Examples Kenning A kenning is an expression that replaces a noun or the name of a person that has metaphorical meaning. Usually, the kenning is more than one word, and it is usually hyphenated-as it is an adjective for the person or thing that is replaced. Examples of Kenning: Ankle-biter = young child Bookword = someone who likes to read Four-eyes = someone who wears glasses Tree huger = someone who cares for the environment Motor mouth = someone who talks a lot Head-turner = a pretty or handsome person Bean counter = accountant Examples of Kenning in Literature From Beowulf But the warrior found the light-of-battle was loath to bite, to harm the heart: its hard edge failed the noble at need, yet had known of old strife hand to hand, and had helmets cloven, doomed men's fighting-gear. First time, this, for the gleaming blade that its glory fell. Light-of-battle = sword Fighting-gear = armor From "The Seafarer" by Ezra Pound Over the whale's acre, would wander wide Eager and ready, the crying lone-flyer, Whets for the whale-path the heart irresistibly. Whale's acre and whale-path = ocean Lone-flyer = the seafarer