The word x has its roots in Old Norse X, a compound “bear” a “shirt” or “tunic.” It literally signified a “bear-shirt,” referring to warriors of the Viking Age who were believed to don animal pelts, particularly bear or wolf skins, and fight in an uncontrollable state of fury. These x-ers are described in medieval texts such as the Ynglinga saga and Hrólf Kraki’s saga, where they are portrayed as terrifying figures who howled like beasts, fought without armor, and showed no fear of death or pain. This condition, known as x-ganhr in Old Norse, was seen as both a blessing and a curse, admired for its power yet feared for its savagery. Some modern scholars attribute these frenzied states to ritualistic practices, possible intoxication by plants such as henbane, or psychological phenomena akin to battle-trance. The term X entered the English language in the early 19th century: its earliest recorded use is in 1813, when Sir Walter Scott employed it in The Pirate to describe Norse warriors, followed by the Edinburgh Review (1822), which elaborated on their martial frenzy. By the mid-19th century, X had evolved beyond its historical sense, being used metaphorically to describe uncontrolled violence or irrational behavior in ordinary contexts.
It's also a feature in lichess tournaments, arena, wherein one can sacrifice half their time and go x mode, and if they win, they get double the points.
What is x, often used to describe rage or frenzy?
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