Old Norse viking: Etymology, Semantics, Semiotics

Many etymologies have been proposed for the culturally fraught words viking, raiding beyond the Nordic world, and vikingr, its exponent but consensus is now forming around the verb vikja 'to turn away, go off'. Litotes and laconism are complemented by language avoidance at sea. The object of one's aspirations is not named openly, lest it attract the ill-will of powers beyond human control. Over time, the terms came to designate an institution, this too depersonalized.