439: berserk Feb 20, 2016

'Berserk' as an adjective comes from an early 19th century word from the noun 'berserker'. Ultimately, this word comes from the Old Norse, 'berserkr' (noun), but further roots are debated. Either–and more likely–the word comes from 'birn-', 'bjǫrn' meaning the animal, 'bear' and serkr ‘coat,’ but some people believe that the origins are from 'berr' meaning ‘bare’ as in 'without armor'.