Published October 11, 2019

Ever been so broke that you didn’t even own your own butt in a tub? Introducing the most colourful term of them all to announce that you’re penniless: “Rassgat í bala.” The idiom literally means, “asshole in a tub” (and yes, it’s referring to the actual hole).

Asshole is frequently used in Icelandic, often in a positive way. It’s even used to describe something really cute. Like, wow, you’re such an asshole! That’s actually a nice thing for an Icelander to say to you. That said, be aware, it also means that you are being friend-zoned.