Many thanks Haukur,

That's really helpful. This explanation makes more sense of the
subjunctive 'þætti' too. And the intention certainly isn't out of
character. So maybe loosely:

"They went out onto the ship then, and An pondered where to put
himself, so as to cause the maximum inconvenience to everyone."

Llama Nom




--- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, Haukur Þorgeirsson
<haukurth@...> wrote:

> "Fóru þeir þá út á skip, en at því hugði Ánn, hvar hann skyldi
> þess koma sér, at öllum þætti sér mest mein at."
>
> I think I understand this (though I wouldn't want to bet
> money on it) but it's hard to translate.
>
> Fóru þeir þá út á skip en at því hugði Ánn,
> Went they then aboard the ship and about that thought Ánn
>
> hvar hann skyldi þess koma sér
> where he should in it place himself
>
> at öllum þætti sér mest mein at.
> so that each would feel himself most harmed.
>
> 1. "Hyggja at" is a phrasal verb meaning something like "consider"

or, to

> use an English phrasal verb, "think about".
>
> 2. The mysterious "þess" must stand for "skips" in its locative

sense.

> Like in "miðskips". Or English "amidships".
>
> 3. The "at" before "öllum" I understand as "svá at".
>
> 4. The "sér" could be left out but that would slightly alter the

meaning.

> The "sér" tells us that it's each man by himself who is

inconvenienced.

>
> 5.
> Mér þykkir mein at einhverju.
> I feel harm from something.
>
> Kveðja,
> Haukur