bessaleyfi

== Icelandic == === Etymology === From bessi +‎ leyfi. The etymology is not clear, but "bessi" likely means bear (cf. the Icelandic bersi (“bear”)) so the literal meaning would be "to take the permission of a bear" as bears do not ask for permission. Alternatively it may be derived from an unknown story about some man named Bessi. === Noun === bessaleyfi n (genitive singular bessaleyfis, no plural) (idiomatic, in að taka sér bessaleyfi) to take the liberty of doing something, to do something without asking for permission Synonym: spyrja hvorki kóng né prest ==== Declension ==== === References ===