have come a-viking

English translation: have come raiding

17:22 Aug 7, 2020

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature

English term or phrase: have come a-viking

Hello everyone,

The situation is as follows: Two brothers have killed a deer, but the wolves are nearby.

“I count five,” Hámund said.
And those were only the wolves that wanted to be seen. Geirmund drew his sword and pulled his axe free. “There could be twice that many held back.”
“Held back?” Hámund frowned. “You credit these wolves with the battle-cunning of a raiding party.”
“That is what they are, in their way.” And Geirmund had glimpsed their leader as she skulked between the trees and paused in open view as if to look into his eyes and make certain that he knew that she knew all about him. Her hackles bristled, her coat the color of wet driftwood, and though she was large, there were others in her pack that were larger. That meant she did not rule by strength alone. “They may not sail by longship, ***but these wolves have come a-viking***.”
Hámund continued to scoff. “Next you’ll tell me they’ll attempt to flank us.”
“They’ll certainly try.”

Does "these wolves have come a-viking" simply mean these wolves have become (like) Vikings?

Thank you.

Mikhail Korolev KudoZ activity Questions: 2414 (none open) (10 closed without grading) Answers: 130
Local time: 12:07

Selected answer:have come raiding

Explanation:

I found the following passage on this page:
https://www.livescience.com/32087-viking-history-facts-myths...
Many historians commonly associate the term "Viking" to the Scandinavian term vikingr, a word for "pirate." However, the term is meant to reference oversea expeditions, and was used as a verb by the Scandinavian people for when the men traditionally took time out of their summers to go "a Viking." While many would believe these expeditions entailed the raiding of monasteries and cities along the coast, many expeditions were actually with the goal of trade and enlisting as foreign mercenaries.

I also found this review:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18915100-fin-gall
“Fascinating historical fiction about the coming of the raiding Vikings to Ireland. As if the Irish didn't have enough problems, fighting among themselves, two different groups of Irish raiders come "a-Viking", i.e. raiding, raping, plundering.”

In the context of this poem, the wolves have come raiding/hunting…

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Note added at 21 mins (2020-08-07 17:44:05 GMT)
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So the wolves may not have come by ship like the vikings but they have come to raid like the vikings.

Selected response from:

Brent Sørensen
Germany
Local time: 11:07

Grading comment

Many thanks to everyone.
Thank you, Brent.

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

3 +8

have come raiding

Brent Sørensen

are experts in the element of surprise

Teangacha (X)

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

18 mins confidence:

are experts in the element of surprise

Explanation:
https://sciencenordic.com/a/1452248

Also, the reference to he fact that the leader of the pack was not chosen by strength alone, means, in my opinion, that they realise that she/he is intelligent, shrewd.
The vikings were great warriors, but also had shrewdness on their side.

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Note added at 19 mins (2020-08-07 17:41:23 GMT)
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'reference to the fact'

Teangacha (X)
Ireland
Local time: 10:07
Native speaker of: English

20 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +8

have come raiding

Brent Sørensen
Germany
Local time: 11:07
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Many thanks to everyone.
Thank you, Brent.

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