Learnings: Mannjafnadr: A War of Words
The mannjafnadr, or "the measure of a man", was a duel of words fought between an accuser and the man he had accused. If one man accused another of doing something wrong, the defendant could demand a mannjafnadr to defend his honour.
The mannjafnadr was a boasting contest. The two men, in front of witnesses, would each brag about their deeds and exploits. If one of them lied about his deeds or showed a lack of confidence, he lost the contest. This was considered proof that he was dishonourable or at fault.
The mannjafnadr was not only for mortals. In one myth, Thor, the god of Thunder, found himself in a boasting contest with a ferryman who refused to carry him across a fjord. Little did Thor know that the ferryman was in fact his father, Odin, in disguise. This made for an exciting war of words.