A friendly sprite or household goblin in Scandinavian folklore, often depicted as a small bearded man who helps with farm work.
From Old Norse 'nisse', related to the name Niels (Nicholas). The word evolved from a term of endearment for household spirits who were thought to protect farms and bring good fortune.
The nis represents one of humanity's oldest attempts to explain mysterious household events - from missing items to unexpectedly completed chores. Interestingly, leaving out porridge or milk for the nis became such a strong tradition that it influenced modern Scandinavian Christmas customs.
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