Þætting

Þætting is a short, self-contained prose piece in Icelandic literature, typically a descriptive vignette, anecdote, or character sketch. It is usually brief, focusing on a single moment or scene, and it blends precise observation with mood, reflection, or humor. Historically, the form was common in Icelandic periodicals and newspapers, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, where such pieces appeared as quick literary impressions between longer articles or as a vehicle for reportage with a literary tint.

The term derives from the Icelandic word etymologically related to þáttur or þáttur, meaning an episode or part, and has come to denote a compact piece of prose. In practice, a þætting may center on a person, a locality, an everyday incident, or a brief life scene, inviting the reader to glimpse a moment rather than to follow an extended plot. It is distinguished from longer narratives or essays by its brevity, tighter focus, and often heightened atmosphere or tone.

In contemporary usage, the form is less common as a named category but remains part of Icelandic literary history and is encountered in anthologies and historical magazines. Related terms include þættir, which designates short pieces or sketches in general, and other short-form prose categories used in Icelandic writing.