“Practise your Norwegian” Forum

Norse words in English: Bag

Norse words in English: Bag

by Hannah OLS Community Manager -
Number of replies: 0

We are back with a new post about words in the english language that has derrived from old norse, the language spoken in Scandinavia, that later became Swedish, Danish and Norwegian.  

Today’s word is: Bag


Source: Pixabay

The word probably has its origins in the Norse word baggi, meaning exactly the same as it does today: A bag, a sack or a type of container. 

In Norwegian the term is used for a specific type of bag, like gym bag. There are different words used for other types of bags and containers: 

Handbag - (hånd)veske

Sack - sekk

Plastic bag - plastikkpose 

Shopping bag - handlepose

Backpack - ryggsekk


Best, 

Hannah, OLS Community Manager - Norwegian