What is a kenning?

A kenning is "a concise compound or figurative phrase replacing a common noun". It comes from the Anglo Saxon era, where swords had names like "death-bringer" or "wound-maker". You can create a lovely "riddle poem" by describing something in different ways on the different lines.Start reading below.

Kids on the Net - the children's writing website celebrating 10 years online! - publishes many kennings from young writers all over the UK and the world. Explore those below and the links above. And why not check out all the rest of the chidlren's writing we publish? See What's New? and About Kids on the Net

Aeroplane

By Suzi, 11, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Pollution maker,
Holiday taker,
People carrier,
Bird barrier,
Two winged flyer,
Going higher,
Hangar dweller,
Bad smeller.
(September 2008)

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Who Am I ?

By Niamh, 11, Northen Ireland

I'm smelly with rubbish,
Paper with stains,
Water down the drain,
Black usually,
Somtimes white,
Compost and skins.

Answer-A Bin.
(September 2008)

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What Am I?

By Pascale, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

What am I?

Meat eater,
Playful fighter,
Fast runner,
Loud roarer,
Tree climber,
Great jumper.

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What Am I?

By Connor Kyle, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

What Am I?

Black as night,
Monkey eater,
Team workers,
Loud screecher,
Hairy creatures,
Bald bums,
Sharp teeth
(September 2008)

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What am I?

By Emily, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

What am I?

Furry bear,
Slow walker,
Hairy furball,
Silent mouse,
Bamboo eater,
Food thinker.
(September 2008)

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The Lion

By Asa, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

What am I ?
Meat tearer,
Sharp mover,
Angry monster,
Fast killer,
Deer eater,
Dark eyed,
Golden fur,
Blood looking fur,
Smoker teeth.
(September 2008)

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An Elephant

By Jordan, 10, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

What am I?

Nosey parker,
Tusk bringer,
No jumper,
Ear mover,
Tail flicker,
Four legged,
Weird noises.
(September 2008)

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The Lion

By Kezia, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

Flesh eater,
Quiet stalker,
Golden wonder,
Plain ruler,
Mighty roarer,
Soft to touch,
What am I?
(September 2008)

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What Am I?

By Callum, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

Fast runner,
Loud growler,
Four legged,
Soft toucher,
Slow swaying,
Quick pouncing.
A Dog.
(September 2008)

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What am I?

By Sam and Aaron, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

Human screamer,
Slithering slider,
Tongue flicker,
Human killer,
Nasty biter,
Brilliant strangler,
Poison injector.
I am a snake.
(September 2008)

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Shark

By Stacey, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

Fin flicker,
Fast wiggler,
Fish gobbler,
Blood smeller,
Quick killer,
What am I?
(September 2008)

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Swan

By Ellie, 11, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

White wonder,
Graceful swimmer,
Soft feathers,
Water splasher,
Thoughtful thinker,
Nice-looker.

What am I?
(September 2008)

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Pencil

By Mona, 9, Inverness, Scotland

Wood writer,
Different colours,
Message writer,
Paper ripper,
Gets blunt,
Picture drawer.
(September 2008)

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Camogie

By Chantelle, 11, Ireland

Wooden stick,
Fields of green,
Poles and goals,
Catching and striking,
Running and balancing,
Points and cheers,
Leather ball,
Hurts and falls,
Calls and stalls.
(September 2008)

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Sharks

By Dillon, 11, Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Fast swimmers,
The only winners,
Big teeth,
Like their beef,
They're not light,
But love to bite,
They love fish,
But hate humans,
Tears through flesh,
To get meat.
(September 2008)

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Cat

By Mohgammed, 11, Lubumbashi, Congo

A fast runner,
A mouse eater,
A sharp scratcher,
A brave climber,
A hairy creature.
(August 2008)

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Can You Guess Who I Am?!

By Aaliyah, 9, Birmingham, UK

I'm very clever,

I'm a quick thinker,

I'm an excellent writer,

I'm a good reporter,

I'm a very good designer,

I'm a brilliant listener,

I'm as quick as a cheater,

I can be as loud as a hwler monkey when I'm angry,

I can be as nice as a kitten,

I can be as funny as a hyena,

Can you guess who i am?

I am a teacher.
(August 2008)

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Dogs

By Hannah, 11, Northumberland, UK

Stick fetcher,
Crufts winner,
Tree marker,
Broom barker,
Human exerciser,
Intelligent fella
A man's best friend.

(August 2008)

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A Bird

By Temijuopelo, 11 years old, Doha, Qatar

A nest maker,
An egg layer,
A tree singer,
A worm wonderer,
A worm eater,
A sky flyer,
A winter sleeper.

(August 2008)

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Ocean

By Rebecca, 10, Doha, Qatar

Boat Carrier,
Waves Creator,
Fish Owner,
Blue Creature.

(August 2008)

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Grasshopper

By Fiona, age 7, Our Lady Immaculate School, Tolworth, London, UK

A fine jumper
A fabulous singer
A great hopper
A green darter
A hot cruncher

©2003-2006 Kids on the Net and the authors        Last revised 13-May-2008
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