Roopa Banerjee

When you are told that your friend is a tree hugger, you know it means she is an environmentalist. A pencil pusher, similarly, is someone who follows a clerical job. Tree hugger and pencil pusher are examples of a literary device known as kenning.

This figure of speech involves using a compound word or phrase to describe an object or person in a metaphorical way. For instance, terming a minor car accident a ‘fender-bender,’ is a typical example of kenning.

Most kenning examples have an origin in medieval English. However, modern kennings are also abundant in our daily conversations. For instance, couch potato and book worm.

Etymologically, kenning is derived from the Old Norse verb kenni (to know, recognise). Most kennings consist of two elements, both of which are nouns. For example, in couch potato, one of the nouns potato is the base word and couch the determinant.

The earliest examples of kenning are found in the Anglo Saxon epic Beowulf. For instance ‘whale-road’ is used to describe the sea. This compound word effectively conjures a dramatic image of the ocean as a vast, undulating expanse that is home to many creatures, including whales. It shows how the Anglo-Saxons viewed the ocean as a treacherous and dangerous place, where a traveller is at the mercy of the waves and whales.

Another early example is in The Seafarer by Anonymous. In this epic poem, the narrator describes the sea as ‘the swan-road’, a kenning that invokes the image of a graceful swan gliding across the water. This description not only captures the beauty of the sea, but also suggests that it is a pathway to a new and mysterious world.

In modern life, we use kennings on a daily basis. Show stopper, mind reader and motor mouth are some examples. There are many modern films which have used kennings successfully. A case in point is The Dark Knight (2008) in which the villainous Joker is described as ‘agent of chaos’. This is a clever kenning that conveys that the Joker is not just a criminal, but a force of nature that brings chaos and upheaval wherever he goes.

Another interesting example is in the Star Wars franchise where the Jedi Knights are often referred to as ‘lightsaber-wielding warriors’. This is a kenning that defines the spirit of the Jedi’s capabilities and their weapons, while also creating a sense of anticipation and drama.

Also, the term ‘Man of Steel’ is a kenning used to describe Superman, the superhero from the DC Comics universe.

P.G. Wodehouse, the renowned British author, often employed kennings in his writing to add a touch of humour to his characters and settings. For example in his novel Joy in the Morning the butler Jeeves is described as a ‘human pop-up book’. This kenning effectively portrays Jeeves as a multi-dimensional character who appears at the right time to solve problems, much like the surprise and depth one might find in a pop-up book.

Kenning is a powerful literary device used to create vivid and memorable images in both poetry and prose. Writers can describe complex ideas and emotions concisely and with impact while creating a sense of awe and wonder around everyday objects and people. Whether used in literature or pop culture, kenning is a powerful and enduring figure of speech.

The next time you mention dropping something like a hot potato, bear in mind that you have just used one of the cleverest literary devices of medieval times!

Exercise
Can you guess the literal meaning of the kennings listed below?
1. Brown noser
2. Tree swinger
3. Tummy slider
4. Ship of night
5. Serpent’s Liar

Authors:
1. Someone who does anything to gain advantage or approval.
2. Monkey
3. Penguin
4. Moon
5. Gold