SOURCE: Magnusson, Eirikr. “Edda.” Saga-Book 23, no. 5 (1992): 317-37.

In the following essay, originally published in 1896, Magnusson traces the etymological origins of the term Edda.

I shall begin my remarks to you by at once stating how I propose to deal with the subject I have chosen for my discourse to-night. In the first instance, I shall draw attention to the one derivation that has been proposed of the word “Edda,” as a genealogical term. Next, I shall consider the derivation and interpretation that the word, as a book-title, has received. Lastly, I shall endeavour to show what historical facts and probabilities may fairly be taken to favour one, to the exclusion of the rest, of the interpretations that have been given of “Edda” as a book-title.

In dealing with these points I shall endeavour to be as explicit as the nature of the subject will allow. But as we...