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
In contemporary usage, the form is less common as a named category but remains part of Icelandic