Risi is the most common, but it not as specific as Þurs. Troll-kona isn't really a different word with a different meaning than Troll. Now 'Flagð' is one I haven't heard of either.
 
Surely there is poetic liscence in the terms and the use of terms. Poets prided themselves on their ability to coin kennings at the drop of a hat. However, there may some interesting information to glean from the terms if they can be defined and placed in context. That is really what I'm asking.
 
-Laz
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Bray
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:20 PM
Subject: Re: [norse_course] New Topic

There are actually quite a few different words used for the same 'species'. 'Risi' is also used for male giants, and 'flagð' is also used for a giantess, and many of these terms are used interchangably with 'tröll' or 'tröll-kona' as well. I think it all depends on the author's inclinations, and I'm not sure if there's any particular nuances to these different words.

Dan

Lazarus wrote:

I was thumbing through Zoega today and ran across a term I'd like some input on. Usually when I post things like this I get nothing in response, but I'll try again anyway. The word is 'Gríðr' and Zoega translated it as 'giantess'. What strikes me is that I've never heard of this word before. The term 'Þursr' meaning 'giant' is well known and the topic of many discussions, yet nowhere have I read of a separate word for the feminine gender of the same 'species?'. Does anyone know anything about this term and how it is used? Any instances in the lore that might shed light on this? Could the word 'Þurs' exclusively mean the male gender of 'giants' or does it include the female as well, with 'Gríðr' being a rare term? -Laz



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...aðrir spakmæli.

- Keth

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Daniel Bray
dbray@...
School of Studies in Religion A20
University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia