heimalingur

Icelandic

Etymology

A very common folk etymology re-interpretation of the word heimalningur (heim (“home”) + ala (“feed, nourish”)), here interpreted as heima (“at home”) plus the diminutive -lingur.

Noun

heimalingur m

Alternative spelling of heimalningur (“a home-fed lamb”)

Usage notes

Heimalningur is the only variant listed in dictionaries, however "heimalingur" is how the majority of people interpret this word and it is commonly seen in writing, having been in use since at least 1927.[1]

References

“Þar sprakk blaðran”, in Ísland, 11 edition, 1927, page 2: “Morgunblaðið er eins og heimalingur hjá Jónasi á Hriflu, sem sötrar einokunargutlið úr sömu fötunni og Jónas frá Hriflu og hans nánustu.”

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[1] “Þar sprakk blaðran”, in Ísland, 11 edition, 1927, page 2: “Morgunblaðið er eins og heimalingur hjá Jónasi á Hriflu, sem sötrar einokunargutlið úr sömu fötunni og Jónas frá Hriflu og hans nánustu.”