Serkland
English
Etymology
Borrowing from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] 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."