Language corner: Words for snow

INFORMATION Language

Icelandic in a flurry Language is shaped by its surroundings. So, it should come as no surprise that Icelandic has a smorgasbord of words relating to winter and its cool companion, snow weather.

TEXT: Edda Kentish PHOTO: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson

Let’s start with the basics – a mere sample of the most common snow words in Iceland:

Moving on to more descriptive types of snow weather:

And these are the conditions that simultaneously excite and enthral us all: Mjöll is the term for snow that’s only just fallen. This makes skiers happy. Hjarn is a frozen bed of snow. This makes skiers less happy. Él is a short snowfall. Fits with the famous Icelandic characteristic of only having samples of weather. Krap is half-melted snow. Annoys everyone. Slabb is sludge. Really annoys everyone.

Kafald is deep snow. Ideal for playing outside with the kids. Bleytuslag is deep, very wet snow. Possibly usable to make snowmen. Éljagangur is intermittent snowfall. Very common. Means we all carry hats with us during winter at all times as a matter of principle, and good scout upbringing. Slydda is wet snowfall. Exceptionally cosy when sitting in a hot tub. Hundslappadrífa literally means the snow drift of flakes as large as dog’s paws, and only when there’s no wind. The type of snow that makes postcard-perfect photographs.

Hríð is a blizzard (hey! There’s an English word!). Can be refreshing, but is mostly a guarantee for gainful employment for people who take snow away. Bylur is also a blizzard, but heavier than hrið. No one should be outside in one. Skafrenningur is when a gale blows the snow along the ground. Important to pay attention to if driving.

Certain parts of the country also have their own vocabulary, because some parts see more winter wonders than others. For example, in West Iceland you might hear locals call skafrenningur the very easy and simple term sviðringsbylur (raise your hand if you’re Icelandic and have heard the term sviðringur before).

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