Old Norse Insults and Swearing

How to curse, swear and insult people in old Norse. Insults were a serious offense during the Viking Age, but archeological finds of rune staves tell us that insults and rude language was still a natural part of daily life.
0:00 - Intro
1:27 - Obscene rune staves
2:34 - Insults and rude language
Subscribe to bull-hansen.com to be notified about new videos and get updates about my novels.
- Become a member of this channel: / @bjornandreasbull-hansen
- Become my Patron at / bullhansen
- Support me on Subscribestar at www.subscribestar.com/bjorn
- Paypal donation: www.paypal.me/BullHansen
- Donate Bitcoin: bc1qukx59w89zrquj2tjash2n0hdc4r5zf6a4qtuwc
- Donate Ethereum: 0xd6674E7C35994dBaC3DFbeA94bD70e514a3f1b27
- Donate Litecoin: LL3EKcjdTG7CSnL4a1tnYk83cEZWVYUPSh
- Merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, mugs etc).: bull-hansen.com/merchandise/
- Some of the gear I use in my videos:
Mora Bushcraft amzn.to/3s6Me1w
Mora Eldris neck knife amzn.to/3eCNfXn
Gränsfors Outdooors Axe amzn.to/2zMr14m
Bahco Laplander Folding Saw amzn.to/3hBOMii
Tilley T3 Wanderer hat amzn.to/3GFZAHR
Mosquito Net Jacket amzn.to/3SUqHWJ
For clothes, cookware, more knives and axes, shelters and more, go to bull-hansen.com/gear-i-use-in...
- Check out "Vikings of the North", a strategy board game inspired by my novels: bull-hansen.com/vikings-of-th...
Follow me on
Rumble: rumble.com/c/bjornandreasbull...
Parler and Instagram @bjornandreasbullhansen
and my dogs @elvisandfeline (Instagram).
My other KZbin channels:
Bjorn Talks:
/ @bjorntalks
Bjorn Outdoors:
/ @bjornoutdoors
I support these charities:
www.heathshavenrescue.com - rescue and adoption of special needs dogs
www.sosgalgos.com/en/home/ and galgosdelsol.org - rescue and adoption of the Spanish greyhound
www.soidog.org - to stop animal cruelty in Asia and provide shelter, food, medical aid and finding new homes for rescued animals.
www.viltsykehuset.no/home - The Norwegian Wildlife Hospital
My most popular playlists:
Men's Mental Health:
• Men's Mental Health
The Viking Series:
• First Look at my New D...
The Wilderness and Bushcraft Series:
• How to Start Fire with...
KZbin tools:
Tubebuddy provides me with the right search words and many other features. My affiliate link: www.tubebuddy.com/bjornandrea...
COPYRIGHT: Bjørn Andreas Bull-Hansen does not allow sampling for shorts or similar reuse of any of his videos or live streams.
DISCLAIMER: This video and/or the description might contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
#jomsviking #bjornandreasbullhansen #bullhansen #viking #bushcraft #vinland #vikings #thevikingbushcrafter #outdoors #woodsman #vikingtid #vikingtijd #vikingen #vikingos #primitivetechnology

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Thanks for clicking on my thumbnail. Please consider subscribing and joining this awesome community. Those who are asking about the grey hoodie (and a lot of you have), here is a link for you: Handmade Woolshirt www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KSGroup?coupon=BJORN (Use code BJORN to get 10% discount.)

[@ChristinaChrisR]

Hey there friend! Haven’t watched the video yet just wanted to say the link’s not working, not for me anyway. Nu titta på videon! 🐺

[@TruthWillFreeYou]

@@ChristinaChrisR This link is working for me. Maybe it's regional or your browser.

[@ChristinaChrisR]

@@TruthWillFreeYou oh ok, good! I’ll try it on another device. Thanks!

[@craigtegeler4677]

Hi Bjorn! Do you have a translation for: "Rat Bastard" and was it used way back when???

[@purpuradraco3747]

I like bushcraft vids, a lot, learned basics from my dad who was a violent b'tard btw, though my earliest memory was him shielding me from a farmer with a cocked and pointed shotgun (no idea if loaded) when I was 2, my head came to his knee, so not all bad. I subbed to you after watching many vids because you are based, though I don't watch as often I ought to anymore because it's simply depressing you're right. I fight the corporate commie globalists best I can, who wouldn't, but there is a limit to how many channels you can hear the same thing from. Took me a few years to learn my surname is Saxon, not French as my dad insisted it was. So close enough to Norse :P You've taught me a lot, though I don't comment because the shame of being poor is too much, I can't contribute. Sorry man. I used to be well off, till our UK woke courts gave everything I owned to my ex-wife. Mortgage free house, cash in the bank, car, all hers now, despite my oldest son moved in with me as soon as the woke courts had no sway over him, my youngest son planning to do the same in 18 months time when same applies because their mother is abusive, something woke a holes will never admit. Her new lover's kids, np with him, he isn't the guy 18 yrs younger than me she left me for after 20 yrs marriage, has two girls who already did the same too, ran, as soon as they could, in their case to their estranged mother just to escape. I'm disabled, living on less than £6k pa now, something that will pay for food or power, not both. Come winter if I can still make comments it'll be because people who can still work pay my share via involuntary support, can't say no, I wanna live, just feel it. So, way too long a story short, turns out I at least owe you a thank you. So thank you. Keep up the good work

[@williamgable2297]

So my take away here is that good insults have changed very little over the last 1000 years lol. A fun connection to the past, thank you Bjorn.

[@hermitcard4494]

Humanity xD

[@ralph4899]

Calling a blonde viking dumb, was it common during the age of discovery 1480-1498?

[@nigelmack8238]

Don't fix it if it ain't broke

[@halfdanraggnarsson441]

@Ecard Ecardian so gun=axe/sword?

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

​@Ecard Ecardian false 😅

[@Surai00]

I think my favorite part of the video is Bjorn's obvious discomfort verbalizing lewd sayings. Someone clearly isn't used to being mean or rude!

[@Xaforn]

At least not with an audience

[@DanielSturge]

Bjørn. You do not need to explain yourself to the woke crowd! This was hilarious.

[@Valhalla_Heathen]

Exactly dude! 🤘🏻

[@riverworld5326]

He doesn't need to, but he does it anyway. I think he actually enjoys it, but who knows.

[@My2Cents1]

I'm gay, and I approve this message. 👍

[@Gutek524]

What is a woke crowd and is it with you in your room?

[@imo9868]

You remind me so much of my Norwegian family cousins and uncles, etc. Here's a fun Swede/Norwegian rivalry joke we always enjoy (and Swedes do too). A group of Swedes and Norwegians were having an argument. It got intense and the Swedes had enough and threw some grenades into the crowd of Norwegians. The Norwegians picked them up, pulled the pins, and threw them back.

[@sharoncombs58]

Ha! Great story!

[@Ichbaar]

Lol, we tell the same story about Norwegians. Not shocking since we share A LOT of history ^^ but it is funny to hear :) damn, i miss those old rivalry and dumb jokes. Feels like it's dying down :(

[@imo9868]

@@Ichbaar It's not politically correct now but who cares??! I love it too!

[@Ichbaar]

@@imo9868 i say fuck political correctness. We get along just fine without it :)

[@charmc4152]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

swearing is the language of truth and honestly

[@libertycowboy2495]

or crudeness and laziness. most people just drop f bombs due to a limited vocabulary.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

@@libertycowboy2495 The F bomb can mean a lot of different things, it can also convey feelings. However it should not be over used or it will do none of these things. What is really a problem is when somebody said the Lords name in vain as that is an actual Sin.

[@scottengh1175]

I learned 3 cuss words in Norway. One was too far, nasty, for me to say. One job that I was involved with had multi nationalities. They asked me what they said when someone sneezed. I told them one. So for a month, whenever someone sneezed, they cussed.

[@TheSwedishRanger]

I must say, I have honestly never even thought about insults throughout history, but hearing these Norse insults is actually pretty interesting. It gives a more... unfiltered look into the lifes of our ancestors. I can't help but wonder now, what old Swedish insults might have sounded like...

[@missingremote4388]

People say mop-head or dish rag

[@fuqutube]

lol yup

[@thomasrehbinder7722]

Well, from the Baroque era; Hundsvott (Dog vagina), Silfverdjevul (Silver devil - an insect), Förvaltningskadaver (Administration cadavre). Some exampels right of my mind.

[@b.lloydreese2030]

Like norse, but better (just kidding)

[@Vingul]

@@thomasrehbinder7722 «förvaltningskadaver», haha! Veldig bra. Den må jeg føre inn i vokabularet mitt (men på norsk, med o istedenfor ö).

[@VAHelix]

The hesitancy you showed in saying the insults was quite refreshing.

[@BrianimeniaK]

Right?? So wholesome haha

[@bedilisa]

You should ignore the trolls. Anybody who really has watched you awhile can see the kindness you exhude. And anything but a misogynist. Thank you... This video gave me a chuckle. Much needed in these times.

[@riverworld5326]

Yeah, those evil misogynists, really.

[@disastershaman]

Yeah, Bjorn is a kind man and that is a true gift!

[@Tapanitseini]

Finnish belief is that a house is safe from all evil Trolls and Goblins if there's a iron object above the door. Trolls are afraid of iron. Perhaps show a picture of a shower at the start of every video. Showers are usually made of iron. Trolls can't stand iron.

[@connordemareo6757]

It seems human nature hasn’t really changed over the millennia!

[@brightpurpleviking]

I love seeing Bjorn laugh ☺️ thank you for this hilarious video! More insults for the dictators of today!

[@Ravntor]

I like to see Bjorn laughing

[@briano.1503]

This is great Bjorn! Most of the Spanish I know is swear words and insults. Now I will be able to cuss and express myself like a Viking too. We always need more comedy in our lives! ✌🤣👍🧠🌌♾

[@DebrasBeautifulMusic]

We can carve it on a stick and leave it somewhere!

[@sasquatch6829]

Haha yes… this is always needed. Literally the first words you should learn in any language

[@kiyruchan9535]

I am fluent in bad language

[@sasquatch6829]

@@kiyruchan9535 I mean by international standards that’s “polite”

[@cabincreekzeke6257]

It seems you were a little bit uncomfortable doing this video. That shows you were raised properly. I had to do a double take when I seen this video come across my notifications. I am very interested with Viking history and the ways of life they had. Thank you very much for the content you provide us with. The decent human being is almost a thing of the past. We have allowed our society to be drawn into some sort of a twisted work of fiction that shames the upstanding citizens and promotes evil and rudeness.

[@kyntyr5474]

How are certain words seen as evil, shouldn’t people be able to say ‘curse’ words, even as a term of endearment or hatred. I think it’s a Christian thing, that we can’t swear because it’s aggressive and foul, a sin.

[@kyntyr5474]

Also I think he was uncomfortable cos he doesn’t wanna get demonetised lol

[@riverworld5326]

Wow, you're an expert on raising people properly I assume.

[@greatamculture]

@@kyntyr5474 it’s actually written in the word of God. Profanity in Lou of proper speech is looked upon as demeaning to the one who spoke it, and is considered an insult to those within earshot of said profanity. I find history interesting as long as it is accurate. Christian or not, truth is truth. The Vikings were great warriors, to be admired along with the other great warriors of the past and present. Final point, and yes, our society has diminished to the point that good is evil and evil is good. That is why our nations and our world are in such turmoil. Look at the solution needed, remove the corrupt that occupy our governments, prosecute them and once we find them guilty, punish them, make them examples so that the people will not forget the consequences of man’s evil acts.

[@kyntyr5474]

@@greatamculture I agree with your final point, I personally don’t care about the word of ‘god’ tho, I think that’s just a bunch of garbage made to silence people and easily teach ‘good manners’ to young kids who instead of learning a few words to express themselves should be learning many, which isn’t that bad, but if your an adult who cares say what you want to say and express yourself with fervour and passion(that’s what I say anyway).

[@welderprincess133]

Bro, factual history should not be taken offense to. I love that you are sharing the actual history and not changing it to "save" feelings!! Bravo

[@officialpreppernation]

I've always heard the term "curse like a sailor" and Vikings were the originals.

[@ZentColdStoneberserkr]

Bjorn, I have to tell you. I've been watching your videos for a couple years now and I just got to say, your sense of humor is quite refreshing. Watching you trying to maintain your composure during this video was hilarious.

[@tompeace5359]

These would make great greetings cards!

[@lisamcneilly2637]

The insults haven't changed much. Lol. I do enjoy hearing you laugh. I laughed with you. You're awesome. Stay strong my friend.💪🇺🇲🙏❤

[@ssalamon861]

Bjorn, I literally laughed out loud, (at your expense I might add), because you were so uncomfortable trying to share these, and translating them, all while trying to stay on the right side of our OVERSEERS on KZbin. It was funny, especially because you knew ECACTLY what each one meant, and watching you struggle a little, yet giggle about a few of them was priceless!!! Thanks for telling us, even the Vickings went into the gutter with choice insults. It tells me, we really haven't changed much, have we?! Love your videos by the way, and I try to see them all. Thanks for being you!!!

[@MastemaJack]

I love insulting people without the person knowing or understanding me

[@CarvedStones]

Now do it in gothic.

[@sandvenexplorer]

This is exactly the kind of info I need! Thanks Bjørn!

[@rivergirl3444]

🤣🤣🤣

[@debn2076]

Too funny...and somethings just never change! Thanks for the rather interesting history lesson!

[@ccrawford3525]

I am a retired US Army Soldier. One of the things we loved to do, is learn how to swear in another language....LOL. It is funny to know, insults have not changed very much in almost 1000 years....LOL....thank you for your videos and keep up the good work!

[@juneroberts5305]

This was a really fun watch. Your discomfort and bashfulness with the topic is very endearing. 😁

[@crystalmeier6579]

It was amusing to watch you chuckle and get embarrassed trying to explain! When I was a child, my swedish grandfather 'farmor' used to scare the he'll out of us swearing in swedish all the time whenever he was working on his truck

[@ZeSgtSchultz]

We really havent changed much in the last thousand years. Even back then, nothing beats a good old "get f*cked" to your enemies.

[@fullercrowley]

Lol, Bjorn, you're such a sweetheart! I love how you clear your throat after saying each one. :) What a gentle man you are, bless your big heart.

[@HudsonValleyPreppingSurvival]

going full Angry Prepper Today!!!! this upstate New Yorker LOVES ❤️ THIS !!!

[@beeestuff9819]

glad to see that more light hearted content, non-political content is coming back!

[@dfuss2756]

I love how you roll your head and eyes when you get uncomfortable, then you chuckle.

[@NorthCountryRangers]

If there is anything that I have learned from history it's that humanity hasn't really changed.

[@malkaringel7864]

I find the Viking history quite interesting. You're channel is unique in this way. I couldn't pronounce these new words!!! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@nixeradicatus]

This makes me think of the comedy Norsemen where someone insults Orm on a stave after he makes himself chieftain and he makes everyone carve a stave with the insult to compare their "handwriting" to the offensive stave. 🤣

[@winstonsmithsoul]

Agreed, best comedy/satire series ever. I was impressed to find out the actors performed each act twice, in Norwegian and English. My only regret is i will never know which version is the funniest.

[@brown_eyed1]

This was absolutely awesome 😎 Your a very modest person as evidenced by your laugh and some hesitation. Not one word vulgar, you explained it all very well.

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

Thanks for teaching us the insults and cuss words first, Mexicanos do the same thing ... 😁

[@deedieducati2272]

Same with the Cajun language.

[@doreenevans5945]

Around 6.53 on the video, I had to commend you on your restraint. Your laughter was priceless. I have always been fascinated by the Viking culture and history. Under their rugged appearance, they were a very disciplined, respectable and cultured people.

[@ahjort100]

Ok! Finally, some real important survival skills!! Thanks Bjorn!

[@mrsorepaws9146]

Upcoming booklet: Bjørns book of Old Norse Insults! Man, that would definitely be in my collection!!

[@ArtOfTheCarbine]

New subscriber and member here. Been binge-watching your channels for about two weeks now. Already a huge enjoyer of your content. I'm just seeing this video now. I wouldn't mind more of these kind of shenanigans hahaha.

[@afternoobtea914]

You are very nice in your translations haha. Swede with a good knowledge in old norse here. There are (according to the old Guta Lagh) four words you can't say to another man. Thief, Murderer, Robberer and Arsonist. To a woman there are five. Thief, Murderer, Whore, Witch and Arsonist. The punishment was three oyrar to three marker. That means up to 600g of silver.

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

I'm a long time subscriber, I enjoy your content very much. But this one......., I really enjoyed the heck out of it, the last two days have been very tough, and I was in need of something to lift my spirit. Listed it for me, thank you very much👍👍👍👍😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@shannonthompson721]

Too funny 😂 love this, Bjorn seems so uncomfortable swearing

[@harmondaniels5108]

Silkefuð sounds like a compliment imo

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

Great video, need more videos of you laughing like this! Also, no need to explain yourself to the morons out there. You are giving us so much, and it is hugely appreciated! As always, looking forward to the next video.

[@ragmanx6256]

Probably the most important video Bjorn has ever recorded!

[@VanSilkaatselem]

stong language is clear example of sentence foundation upon which lots of the additional language use can rest as diverse example.

[@johnrice1943]

Cussing and insults are the first things someone learns in a new language

[@DianneWilderASMR]

Love the new direction of your channel. Absolutely awesome bushcrafting tips!

[@graywalkerjoin3rdparty74]

Maybe the reason for Eric the Red's Father's "excessive killings" were because someone said some of these things to him. He got exiled from Norway.

[@The5As7]

The first thing we made Jonatan (A German exchange student that came to Missouri when I was a Junior in high school) teach us to do was cuss in German, which we didn't know how to do. Then we took him to shoot guns, which he didn't know how to do. Fair trade.

[@jameshammond2738]

This was a fun video. It is great to hear you laughing and see you smiling. I also would love to hear more about some other Viking traditions and culture that we would find to be unique to others at those times if old.

[@kaypierce3211]

Too funny...I am second gen Norse American. I am old 83, and once asked my mother to tell me a Norwegian swear work, got none, both parents spoke Norse. They wouldn't teach us to speak it, as I think they used it to talk about us. Enjoy your videos.

[@markvoelker6620]

"Your mother has a smooth forehead!!" Oh wait, that's a Klingon curse. Nevermind.

[@terriharris5749]

LOL! I chuckled along with you in what appeared to be your discomfort and embarrassment! I don't think I could have done that! LOL

[@AshleyLebedev]

Awesome video! I love your Viking content so much

[@modernvikingnorway]

Thats something Bjorn, we can only hope for more! (norsk timer på skolen var aldri så spennende som denne leksjonen).

[@theimperialist2686]

Nice informative video as always Bjorn.

[@virgierutledge3004]

Enjoyed seeing you smile and share junior high information. Keep it up.

[@conryykrobertson]

That was great!!! I think it left me with more questions actually lol thanks man!

[@tracker5849]

YES PLEASE!! I'm seriously getting tired of useing the same ones every day..LOL

[@bobhead6243]

An extremly Interesting look at old Norse Swearwords , Thank you Bjorn , I am shure I shall find a use for these Someday , We will see who can Guess what I am saying ! . lol.😂🙂

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

Most highly enjoyable content. It's so great to be able to be lighthearted sometimes.

[@floatingvirago]

Keep up the unique content. Many thanks

[@vensheaalara]

Your obvious discomfort is a credit to your character. The truth is out there, in history, and there is no reason to flee from it.

[@tyramasters-heinrichs921]

Thank you, Bjorn, for the laugh. A big hi from Manitoba, Canada

[@darrensadler3758]

Brilliant video, I was wetting myself laughing and I love hearing you laugh.

[@kelaines5082]

Love this video. Glad to see u laugh. It does show what Vikings valued in a reverse sort of way

[@pammierae7751]

Wow!! Very impressive..Your cabin is so viking style at least from my perspective & your dressing the part makes it more realistic..Great job Bjorn..:)

[@christinagreen5299]

So fun.. especially watching your reaction saying them!! You made me smile!🙂thank you..

[@radiant2012]

Great content on your channel Bjorn. Love this.. LOL

[@alfredsutton4412]

Loved this … it’s good to see such a connection between past and present.

[@CrimsonHound84]

Such a good video, and your reactions are great :)

[@diamantis9436]

Uncle Bjorn thank you for the video, it was hilarious. Also your coat is awesome

[@Skbrvrisjsbdvetjtrbejudb]

Love this new content

[@compassbow]

Love your sweater and thanks for the history.

[@zenyeti3076]

Cool 😎 thanks for the great fun sharing another aspect of your old Norse culture. You are doing a good job ☮️

[@sherryball960]

This is awesome!!! No one ever mentions the colorful vocabulary of our ancestors. Humans have been swapping insults since the beginning of time. Cheers to you, mate, for bringing us this highly entertaining video!!!

[@evaf1150]

Dear sir thank you for the lesson Very interesting how the mind and delivery was back in time

[@tobyainsworth2847]

Nice to see you giggle and smile .

[@deannab9511]

Your reaction to these sayings proves you are a gentleman. Thanks for sharing. Interesting.

[@benjaminjacques3371]

Love your videos !

[@destroyingangel9838]

So Rune Sticks are equivalent to a nasty text or troll toward someone back in the day. Nice, Lol.

[@melanies.7740]

Loved it! Thanks.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Hahahaha some things never change with humanity, thanks for the entertaining lesson brother.

[@savagelee6973]

Now this, is need to know information. Thank you.

[@westmichiganpreparedness]

Great video, it seemed that you were a bit apprehensive about some of your explanations but in this day and age, I don't blame you. I appreciate the fact that you're going a bit outside of the box as they say. Keep up the good work and I look forward to watching your carving video!

[@InFamousWolf96]

This Was Very Hilarious and Educational Thanks Bjorn.🐺💪

[@richardwestwood1812]

Hi Bjorn great content as always thanks for all you do . I was wondering if you would be open for suggestions on future content if so could you concider making a video about methods of water collection, filtration and storage please

[@karenlemoine2677]

My Dad was Norwegian. Both parents from Norway. Its a shame the family never taught us the language.

[@BarBarian-sy5xz]

Excellent video. Quite funny as well!

[@MargueriteFairProductions]

LLLOOOOLLLL. You seem so shy, so I find this delightfully funny. Thank you for the laughter, it's morning here right now and i'm getting ready to do my errands. A fun way to start my day~ LOL. thank you!

[@winstonsmithsoul]

Loved it, very reminiscent of “The Norsemen” scene, minus the shitting log.

[@Pilgrim420]

Very Cool ! Thank you Björn, God bless

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

Interesting lesson Sir, neat to hear..

[@buddhistbushcrafter4589]

Oh my... What a topic!😆 Normally, I share your videos with my son (who is 38, not a child), but this one... Oh my! 😆

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Haha, maybe not this one!

[@wingandhog]

That was entertaining and enlightening. I liked it

[@rogt332]

Always enjoy your videos Bjorn .Stay well and best regards from Yorkshire 👍😀🇬🇧

[@inconnu4961]

'Tin, tin, tin'