Danish Word of the Day: Kringlet

We promise, this word isn't as 'kringlet' as it might seem. Keep reading to learn more about this pastry-related word.

What does it mean if someone describes something as being 'kringlet'?

Directly translated, kringlet means something which is “tangled”, “twisting” or “winding” in a complicated pattern.

Kringlet , pronounced roughly like creng-lut, is an adjective which comes from the past participle of the verb at kringle , which comes from the noun kringle .

A kringle is a traditional Danish pastry typically filled with butter and marzipan and topped with sugar and almond flakes. The kringle is particularly special because of its shape: a sort of twisted loop, which many would associate with the shape of a pretzel.

This shape is dear to many Danes, as it is featured above many traditional bakeries, the traditional sign for a bakery is a golden pretzel-looking shape hanging above the entrance.

Today, the word kringlet is often used as an adjective to describe something complicated or convoluted.

The rules to apply for housing benefits are incredibly complicated.

Det var en meget kringlet forklaring, men jeg tror, jeg forstår det nu.

It was a very convoluted explanation, but I think I understand it now.