Almost forty years ago the radio segment ‘The Dictionary’ started. It was broadcast fortnightly during the winters between 1969 to 1993. People submitted questions about linguistic uncertainties and the Dictionary asked the listeners for words and proverbs. A remarkable amount of people were interested in the broadcasts.  

Words were submitted which had never been recorded before but which had deep and ancient roots in the Faroese language. Other words came from living language, words which otherwise only were known from the 200 year old word collection og J. C. Svabo.

Most of the informants did not have much of an education but with their excellent knowledge of daily circumstances at land and sea they have participated in preserving much of the historic cultural heritage which they got from their parents. With this book we and future generations can get a better insight into our own cultural heritage.