Hoarfrost, which we have a lot of right now, is derived from Old English har meaning gray or old. The connection with frost is that those swirling patterns sculpted on windows apparently reminded the Anglo Saxons of the curls in an old man's beard.
The Old English word is derived from Old High German her meaning old. It is related to the German hehr meaning august or sublime. The German title Herr is traced back to this and is now a title of respect.
In the Old English epic poem Beowulf there is a description of Hrothgar, King of the Danes, that uses har in the senses of old, respected and wise. This is after the scene in the hall when Grendel's mother has come to revenge her son's mortal wounding.
"Pa waes frod cyning, har hilde-rinc on hreon mode." (Then was the wise king, an old warrior, in a mournful and weary state.)
The old warrior-king knows that he needs a younger man to help defeat the monsters: Beowulf, our hero.
Glad you're back Bee. I tried to figure out the the Old English meant before I looked at your translation.
ReplyDeleteMy take was:
"Pa was found crying, wise (that's from your post) something king on something state." State because you wouldn't say someone is in a crying mode, but in a crying state.
I have no idea if the words I thought were akin to Modern English are correct, but it was fun.