Serkland

English

Etymology

Borrowing from Old Norse. The second element is clearly land (“land”). The first may be related to Saracen[1] (compare Ancient Greek Σαρακηνός (Sarakēnós), showing the /k/) or may be serkr (“sark, gown”) in reference to the clothing work by the people of the region.

Proper noun

Serkland

(historical, in translations of Norse sagas and runestones) The Abbasid caliphate.
He died in Serkland.

References

Lee M. Hollander, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, page 581: "He proceeded with his army west to Africa, which the Varangians call Serkland [Saracen Land], and there he increased his strength greatly."

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] Lee M. Hollander, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, page 581: "He proceeded with his army west to Africa, which the Varangians call Serkland [Saracen Land], and there he increased his strength greatly."