Talk:Eystein Halfdansson

Eystein's nickname
There is no source provided for the translation of old norse frets as "the Swift". In fact, the provided english translation of the Íslendingabók at the end of the article translated it as "fart", as do several other translations I've come across during my research and studies. The old norse frets is a genitive form of fretr, which means "fart". This translation of his nickname is further supported by the word fret-karl ("fart-churl", meaning something like vagabond) and freta (to fart).

I've looked through several dictionnaries, and none provided any hints of frets being remotely related to "swift". There is however the translation "fart" in all of them. Several experts and researchers I talked to also suggested that his nickname was indeed "the Fart". There are also several other references in other places that refer to him as "the Fart" and only this article referring to him as "the Swift".

I'm going to change his nickname accordingly. Rwtw01 (talk) 15:24, 30 January 2023 (UTC)


 * Can you provide a sourcing that we can verify where it is translated as "fart"? Thanks. &maltese; SunDawn &maltese;    (contact)   16:10, 30 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Sure, here is the wikisource translation linked at the end of the article: Wikisource translation of Íslendingabók. It's in the second paragraph.
 * And another translation can be found here: Íslendingabók; Kristni saga: The Book of Icelanders; The Story of the Conversion, trans. by Siân Grønlie, Viking Society for Northern Research, Text Series, 18 (London: Viking Society for Northern Research, 2006), p.3. A PDF can be found on the Wikipedia page for Íslendingabók, right at the bottom in the section External Links.
 * As for fretr meaning fart, there is Geir Zoëga's "A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic" from 1910, where it translates fretr to "fart". Here is a link to the online entry: fretr.
 * My phone app glitched, so I hope this reply does not appear multiple times. Rwtw01 (talk) 16:59, 30 January 2023 (UTC)
 * First of all, my apologies for reverting your change so quickly. Your change have good faith and is backed up by references, and shouldn't be reverted as vandalism. I will remove the warning on your page promptly. Based on the references you gave, it is Eysteinn Fart instead of Eysteinn The Fart. Is it good if we use Eysteinn Fart instead of Eysteinn The Fart? Thank you.
 * Based on the discussion above I think you should remove your warning on his talking page as well, as the change is in good faith and backed up by sources. &maltese; SunDawn &maltese;    (contact)   02:52, 31 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Thank you for removing the warning. Of course I have to admit that my change does indeed look like vandalism at first glance, so no apology needed. And yes, Eysteinn Fart is good. Thank you! Rwtw01 (talk) 04:52, 31 January 2023 (UTC)
 * No, the apology is needed as changes that have sources (like yours) shouldn't be reverted by anyone. It's a honest mistake, but a mistake regardless. I have changed the information on the article. Thank you very much for your cooperation! &maltese; SunDawn &maltese;    (contact)   16:31, 31 January 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ — CAPTAIN JTK (talk) 16:27, 31 January 2023 (UTC)