https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-3CH2IJyaw

 

Each day of the week necessarily has its own name, how else would we distinguish them. The question of why in English each was so named is explained in this delightfully conceived book which is beautifully illustrated by Sue Hooper-Lawrie in another collaboration with Neil McLeod.


Available On Amazon




The Names of the Days


Have you ever thought how the days of the week

Got the names that we call them from  Latin and Greek.

Well its true, though with time they have been changed of course

Now most names of the week days are actually Norse.


Sunday, the Lord’s day, was named for the sun

That poured forth the light as each day was begun.

Monday or “Moon” day was named on reflection

Of the light from the sun if you get the connection.


Tuesday, is Tys’ day the brother of Thor

In Myths the one armed Norse god of war.

On Wednesday we honor the memory of Odin,

The Ancient Norse God, the Saxons called Wodin.


Thursday, is Thor's Day, the old god of Thunder

The sound of his hammer wraught terror and wonder.

Friday's for Frij, the Norse goddess of love,

Like Venus for Romans she shines from above.


Saturday honors the Roman god Saturn,

Not Laugardag - ‘washing day’, now long forgotten.

So there you have it, the names are complete

From Old English ‘wicu’ one day became “weke”. 




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