Norwegian nick names |
das | My grandmother used to call my mother Kreinnata? I'm not sure on the spelling.Sounds like Kree-enn-nata. I've tried internet translations but to no avail. Mom said that grandma would say "oh kreinnata" very lovingly. Like a term of endearrment. Does this sound like anything to anyone out there? |
jwiborg | ??? [:)]
What's your mother's name then?
It could be a variant of Kristianne or something...
Jan Peter |
das | Mom's name is Donna Marie. I thought about that too Jan Peter but I don't think that has anything to do with this mystery. Perhaps it is spelled with a "C" as oppossed to a "K" . Just a shot here does "Cri" or "Cree" mean anything? Thanks. |
einarh | If your mother had been an unruly person which is not very likely, the word for cree-enn-nata could be crenated - meaning jagged, toothed, indented or barbed....
This is about how far my imagination could stretch at the moment.
Einar |
das | I got a lead on this "nick-name". How about "Cry-baby". Does this sound like a plausable name? I just wish I could speak this word to you because I could put the right emphasis on it.[:)] |
Brining | Maybe kieriste nøtt - dearest nut?? I don't know exactly how it is pronounced. Maybe one of the Norwegian posters could let us know if it would be close.
Carla |
einarh | If we deared suppose that this is a mix of English and Norwegian language, it could be something like "cry" as the first syllable and "i" (pronounced in Norwegian as English "e" ) and then "natta" as second and third syllables, pronounced in English not much different from the Norwegian pronounciation of it. "Cry-i-natta" or "cry-om-natta" in Norwegian is "gråte om natta" and in English "crying in the night"....
Einar |
das | quote: Originally posted by Brining
Maybe kieriste nøtt - dearest nut??
I had to laught out loud. [:)]You must know my mother! Great stab at it but I think that Einar has probably figured it out. |
das | quote: Originally posted by einarh
If we deared suppose that this is a mix of English and Norwegian language, it could be something like "cry" as the first syllable and "i" (pronounced in Norwegian as English "e" ) and then "natta" as second and third syllables, pronounced in English not much different from the Norwegian pronounciation of it. "Cry-i-natta" or "cry-om-natta" in Norwegian is "gråte om natta" and in English "crying in the night"....
Einar
That is just how the emphasis would be on the syllables and how I understand it to be pronounced!
I wonder now about the usage of this "term" or "name" by a parent for one of their children? My grandma wouldn't have called her "crying in the night"? I think this is a true "nickname" or "slang" with the meaning implied to mean a little something else. Interesting how this may be a Norwegian/American usage. |
Svanhild | Maybe the norwegian word 'grinete'...the meaning is about the same as cry baby....
Svanhild |
kaare n | I though I also put in my meaning.
If it was said about a small child maybe it was a crying child, about an adult then I think it was maybe something that it was said about a person that was nagging about everything and anything (pessimist)
Kåre
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das | Well now. If this word has the three syllables it just could be the "nickname". My Grandma was full Norwegian and 1st generation American/Norwegian(born in America). Two of her sibs (twins) were born on the boat coming to America. They were listed as being born in Norway as they hadn't arrived here yet. Now, the reason for my mentioning these facts is that I know for a fact that Norwegian was the language spoken in the home. Maybe, as Einar hinted, we dare not suppose that this is a mix of English and Norwegian. and perhaps this is a word that starts with the letter "G" and not a "C" or "K" at all. Gri-n-ete? How about this for the "nickname"? Does it fit. ? As for Mom the "un-ruly", "crying in the night" or, "dearest nut" doesn't fit, although I like the latter.LOL. The "cry baby" speaks volumes. Keep in mind the person that was calling her this ( my Grandma) wouldn't speak ill of anyone let alone her own. And my Mom remembers it as a "nickname" and not a derogatory comment. |
Borge | If they were still talking their native language it could be of interest to know where in Norway they came from, as this could be a dialectic expression. |
das | Good morning all. For the sake of interest but at the risk of "rabbit trailing" I'll gladly share this side of my families origins. Grandpa was the Lewison side of the family (Hengesteg/Boyum). Grandma's maiden name was Iverson. she, as I had stated earlier, was born to emigrant parents who both hailed from the Sandnaesseter(?) farm in Nannesstad. I've no idea where this is. Their parents hailed from the Jeppedahle and Westlien farms in Hurdal. Again no idea where this is. I've much more family info beyond them but this serves the purpose that Borge was asking about.[8D] |
einarh | I do not pretend to know much more than a fragment of the dialectic rooted nick-names in Nannestad and Hurdal, which are separate municipalities, 50 - 80 kms to the North of Oslo. But as I was lying awake last night, thinking of what could possibly turn out to be the solution to the grandmother lullaby mystery, it struck me that there is a Norwegian name, Jonetta, that could fit into a local nick-name or saying: Kry (pron. "Kree") -Jonetta could be Stolt-Jonetta = Proud Jonetta. But expressed lovingly, as you tell us - I am strongly in doubt anyway. Anyone from Eidsvoll (north of Oslo) around here? |
Borge | I wonder if the last part of the word could be "jenta" or "jinta", and if it did start on a G it could as simple as "Godjenta" in a dialectic variation. |
Borge | I wonder if the last part of the word could "jenta" or "jinta", and if it did start on a G it could as simple as "Godjenta" in a dialectic variation. |
das | I want to thank everyone who helped research the name in question. I'm not sure if we figured out the name or the exact intent. Although I think we got pretty close. The intrigueing things that have come out of the simple question and the not so simple answers are what really have made this hunt fun. I suppose we've done all we can on this topic.
I'm curious. Anyone with any other Norwegian nickname/petnames that you'd like to share? |