----- Original Message -----
From: "Andreas Zautner" <andreas.zautner@...>

> The word barða has also the meaning of axe.
> berja,barði.....to beat
> You can still find this in the german word "Hellebarde"
> ( a kind of a combination of axe and spear)
> So it may be that Hárbarð has more a meaning like
> man with a high/long axe
>
> So far I know skegg is the norse word for beard, and beard has a latin
origin.
>
> Andreas

Both Latin and Old Norse are Indo-European, so they already share a lot. Old
Norse was used most about 900 years AFTER Herman Cerusci slaughtered Varius'
Legions, so I don't think there's a problem with any Old Norse words with
Latin origins. It's not like Snorri introduced Latin to the Scandinavians
all by himself.

But specifically, the standard axe of the Viking age is now termed the
'Bearded Axe' because it's lower edge of the blade hangs down lower than the
top edge rises. This is the most likely reason for the term 'barði' to mean
'axe'. 'Hellebarde' would mean 'Hel's Beard' or 'Beard of Hel' which would
make sense since the bearded axe was a weapon of choice to send someone to
Hel.

-Laz