The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Lords, ladies and loaves

Jon OBrien's picture
Jon OBrien

Lords, ladies and loaves

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

The meaning of hlaef-dige is not absolutely certain, but seems to be "loaf-kneader" with the last part being related to "dough".

"-dige" is still used in German.  A suffix not related to dough but more like an adjective indicating qualities related to  the loaf or showing possession.  I translate when reading as the "loaf haver" or the one who has the loaf.  A loaf-haver could easily be a provider or overseer determining how much of a harvest will be saved for planting and how much is used for food.

Jon OBrien's picture
Jon OBrien

Maybe she holds/controls it but he keeps it safe/guards it. Using 'loaf' as a metonymy for the household, perhaps, much you might use 'hearth'?

How might the "-dige" suffix indicate qualities?

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

but say we take the word fat,  fatty   "y" changes the noun to an adjective.     Bread => Bready      Brot => Brotige  

Jon OBrien's picture
Jon OBrien

Thanks.