Norse Words in English
1 / 15From sky to window, discover how Old Norse shaped the English language during the Viking Age!
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
The English word 'sky' replaced the Old English 'heofon.' Where does 'sky' come from?
About Norse Words in English
Norse Words in English is a free word games quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty. From sky to window, discover how Old Norse shaped the English language during the Viking Age! A typical run takes about 7 minutes, hints are always one tap away, and your streak ticks up the first time you finish a game on a given day.
A few sample questions
1. The English word 'sky' replaced the Old English 'heofon.' Where does 'sky' come from?
Answer: Old Norse 'sky' (meaning cloud)
2. Which common English word meaning 'an opening in a wall' comes from the Old Norse 'vindauga' (wind eye)?
Answer: Window
3. The word 'husband' comes from Old Norse. What did 'husbondi' originally mean?
Answer: House dweller or master of the house
4. Which English word for 'an unpleasant or annoying person' comes from the Old Norse 'bugge'?
Answer: Bug
5. The word 'egg' replaced the Old English 'aeg.' The Norse-derived form won out over which centuries?
Answer: 14th-15th centuries
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in Norse Words in English?
Norse Words in English has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Norse Words in English free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Norse Words in English — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Norse Words in English take?
Most players finish Norse Words in English in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Norse Words in English?
If you enjoyed this word games quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
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