A Word Is the First of Everything

January 27, 2026

Look around the room you are sitting in right now. Look at the chair, the computer, the building itself. Before any of these things existed in physical reality—before a single hammer was lifted or a single line of code was written—they existed as something else first. They existed as a conversation.

Someone said, "We should build a house here." Someone said, "I have an idea for a new device."

In Iceland, there is a profound proverb that captures this fundamental truth about human creation. It reminds us that nothing happens in a vacuum; everything begins with communication.

"Orð er til alls fyrst."

Translated into English, it means: "A word is the first of everything."

The Blueprint Before the Brick

This saying is the ultimate endorsement of planning. It tells us that speech is the seed of action. In the world of construction, you would never just walk onto an empty lot and start pouring concrete. That would be a disaster. First, you sit down with an architect. You look at blueprints. You argue about the budget. You agree on the timeline.

The "word" is the simulation of the project. It is the phase where you solve problems before they become expensive mistakes. Whether you are starting a business, planning a vacation, or entering a new relationship, the quality of the "first words" determines the quality of the final result. If the communication is muddy, the foundation will be cracked.

The Danger of "Gasping"

However, there is a dark side to this proverb. While the word is the first thing, it should never be the only thing.

In Icelandic, there is a concept known as "gaspur"—noisy, empty chatter. It is the sound of wind moving through a tunnel with nothing to stop it. We all know people who are excellent at the "word" part but terrible at the "everything else" part. They love to hold meetings. They love to talk about the novel they are going to write or the company they are going to start. They are addicted to the "first" step because talking feels like working, but without the sweat.

If "words are the first of everything," but no second step follows, those words become meaningless. They become inflation. The more you talk without acting, the less your words are worth. Eventually, people stop listening to your blueprints because they know you never buy the bricks.

How to Give Your Words Weight

So, how do you find the balance? How do you ensure your words are the solid foundation of a skyscraper, and not just hot air? Here is how to give your words real value in communication:

1. Treat Words as Contracts Imagine that every time you say "I will do X," you are signing a legal document. If you view your speech as binding, you will naturally speak less, but your words will mean more. When you finally do speak, people will listen, because they know your "word" is a precursor to reality.

2. The "Action Ratio" Try to keep a healthy ratio between your planning and your doing. A good rule of thumb is the 10:90 rule. Spend 10% of your energy discussing the plan to ensure clarity, and 90% of your energy executing it. If you find yourself in a meeting that has lasted three hours with no assigned tasks, you are just "gasping."

3. Clarify, Don't Just Amplify Valuable communication isn't about talking the most; it's about creating the most clarity. In a planning phase, the most valuable person isn't the one with the biggest ideas, but the one who asks, "So, who is doing what by next Tuesday?" That simple question turns a "word" into a "thing."

Conclusion

"Orð er til alls fyrst" is a reminder of the power we hold in our mouths. We have the ability to speak things into existence. A kind word can start a friendship; a clear plan can build an empire.

But remember that the proverb says the word is the first of everything—not the sum of everything. Respect the power of the start, but make sure you respect the finish line even more. Speak clearly, plan wisely, and then stop talking and start building.

Word	Meaning
Orð	Noun, meaning "word."
Er	Verb (vera). Meaning "is."
Til	Preposition (takes the genitive case). Meaning "to" or "for."
Alls	Pronoun/Adjective, meaning "everything" or "all."
Fyrst	Adjective/Adverb. Meaning "first."