bessaleyfi

Icelandic

Etymology

From bessi +‎ leyfi. The etymology is not clear, but "bessi" likely means bear (cf. the Icelandic bersi (“bear”)) so the literal meaning would be "to take the permission of a bear" as bears do not ask for permission. Alternatively it may be derived from an unknown story about some man named Bessi.

Noun

bessaleyfi n (genitive singular bessaleyfis, no plural)

1. (idiomatic, in að taka sér bessaleyfi) to take the liberty of doing something, to do something without asking for permission

   Einstaklingar á svæðinu hafa tekið sér það bessaleyfi að rukka fólk sem kemur til að skoða þessa einstöku náttúruperlu.[1]

   Individuals there have taken the liberty of charging people who come to view this unique natural site.

   Tveir lögreglumenn tóku sér bessaleyfi til að laga te í eldhúsi hans.[2]

   Two police officers made themselves a cup of tea in his kitchen without permission.

Declension

declension of bessaleyfi

n-s	singular
	indefinite	definite
nominative	bessaleyfi	bessaleyfið
accusative	bessaleyfi	bessaleyfið
dative	bessaleyfi	bessaleyfinu
genitive	bessaleyfis	bessaleyfisins

Synonyms

• spyrja hvorki kóng né prest