Serkland
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Borrowing from 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 worn by the people of the region.
Proper noun[edit]
Serkland
- (historical, in translations of Norse sagas and runestones) The Abbasid caliphate.
- He died in Serkland.
References[edit]
- ^ 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."