Above 63

Iceland is not the only place with great local expressions, and I enjoy great idioms in any language. These are particularly fun. I would use them with some care

• Rúsínan í pylsuendanum (the raisin at the end of the hot dog). This describes something good that is a surprise. Google translate makes it “the icing on the cake,” but I like the literal translation. I am told it comes from the era of Danish rule when raisins were at the end of a black pudding sausage as a treat.
• Áfram með smjörið (on with the butter). This means to keep on working or to get going with the task at hand. I used this in class one day–my students humored the American as he attempted the idiom. It is one of many sayings that has the agricultural past embedded in the meaning. Making butter was hard work and you had to complete it be before the cream spoiled–get on with it.
• Gluggaveður (window weather). This is when it looks like a really nice day outside, but it is actually cold and windy. This happens a lot in Iceland, but I think it will be handy in Wisconsin as well.
• Að taka í bakaríið (to take to the bakery). This means to scold someone or to give them a thrashing. I haven’t been able to track down its origins, but it can describe events like the Lions taking the Cowboys to the bakery last week.
• Að vera úti að aka (out driving). This means that you are pretty clueless about what is going on. It’s commonly used as a criticism, but I’m not able to track down its origins.

There are other sayings I’ve run across that I like, but I’m less likely to use.

• Ég er eins og úfinn hænurass (I’m like a fluffy chicken’s ass). The wind here is impressive and will easily muss someone’s hair up quite easily and this is used to describe that event. As you know, I’m long past this being a problem for my hair.
• Sjáðu þetta rassgat (Look at this asshole!). This is actually a complement for a cute baby or a cute puppy. I don’t think I can get away with using it in any case when I get home.
• Að pissa í skóinn þinn sinn er skammgoður vermir (peeing in your shoe won’t keep you warm for long). This describes a short-term solution. Imagine walking in Iceland and your feet are cold and wet. This will help–but it is a short-term, short-sighted solution.

I can give you a little homework–these are good ones as well. Have fun:

• Ég kem alveg af fjöllum
• Nú detta mér allar dauðar lýs úr höfði
• Að mála skrattann á vegginn
• Að bíta á jaxlinn
• Þeir fiska sem róa
• (Eitthvað er) ekki upp í nös á ketti
• Að vefjast tunga um tönn
• Að leggja höfuðið í bleyti
• Að leggja árar í bát
• Að hafa aldrei migið í saltan sjó
• Þetta reddast!