In Finland We Have This Thing Called... Perkele

I know many of you have been waiting for this like a rising moon (kuin kuuta nousevaa) The full moon is in about a week, just FYI.

And some have expressed a bit of frustration towards us for not putting this out sooner. In case you want to know, we had some issues with the editing process, but it is sorted now =)

The etymology of this word is quite fascinating. It stems back to Perkwunos which is the Proto-Indo-European word of the weather god. That word again is formed from per, which means to strike and -nos which means the master of.

Some relative words from our neighbours are Perkūnas (Lithuania), Pērkons (Latvia), Pekolasõ (Estonia) and sjuttonjäklar (Sweden)

Perkele as the translation for Devil was used in the Finnish translation of the Bible up until 1992 translation, when the word was rendered as “paholainen”

When the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland held a popular contest to nominate the "most energizing" word in the Finnish language, one of the suggestions was Perkele because "it is the curse word that gave the most strength for the reconstruction of Finland after the wars."

When you need to go forward with snot on your cheek (räkä poskella) like a granny in the snow (kuin mummo lumessa), you need some sisu, and that is invoked with a great cry of PERKELE! Just try it…

[domifbiegerthespaceartist]

Perkele is a very efficient weapon against bears, who want to steal your trash. I saw a video of a bear being yelled at "Perrrkele...Satanaa" and I hear on Bear-Tube, the bear is still recovering from that trauma :-)

[yasminzahra]

This guy is funny even when I dont understand Finnish

[reginawinter]

Sooo, when the guy scared the bear away by shouting PERKELE... Maybe he just mistook him for the spirit and wanted to ask for some extra strength? Because, I don't know, he had to face his wife for not taking the trash out properly and just leaving it on the patio?

[YogaChurchWay]

I love this word. Much cheerier than our FAAAEN 🇳🇴

[Patternlover]

I use Perkele to scare away coyotes in the woods

[madddog]

Ai vittu, he said "perkele". :0

[Kukkanisti]

Perkele is swearing but other's think it's the 'Original' word. After all in our dark souls, and gay neighbor, somewhere there is a white heart country

[shrake]

better content than yle has made with the tax money...

[dfguko]

It's the first word I learned in Finland 😂

[kartof]

thumbs up if my summer car bring you here 🤣🤣🤣 PERKELE!

[larrylamere]

Hi, Christoffer. I'm wondering if you're going to do any more videos? I'm I'm still waiting for kirkkovene (sp?).

[miahinenmias]

In Finland we have this thing called kananmunapieru

[CLTCHCO]

(Canada)
I cant think of something that would compare to Perkele.

[djux]

"And then come christians and demonised it". Key words 😉

[The_ZeroLine]

The Christians ruined everything and stole everything. They’re like “Thursday has nothing to do with Thor’s Day!” Eostre? Easter? No connection. lmao

[ABrit-btce]

Googled this when trying to explain patches I have from that Finish company that I cannot spell. They are wonderful by the way.

[watermelonman]

That bear got a good share of Perkele
there!!

[LadyAxe]

In Afrikaans, we have a whole phrase for similar effect, but I won't post it here. It's deliciously vile!

[LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

My childhood dentist was Finnish (incidentally, often referred to as "Dr. P") and she could no doubt be referred to as "Dr. Perkele". If you were bad she'd tie you down to the chair.

She was also not great at what she did.

[CodyDockerty]

Is the rumor true the more mad they are the more they roll the r?