Ehrenrunde
Winston Churchill did it – and so did former German President Christian Wulff as well as Thomas Mann, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. And Eminem, of course.
Winston Churchill did it – and so did former German President Christian Wulff as well as Thomas Mann, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. And Eminem, of course.
This beautiful German term that is used for persons, devices and anything else that is required (or advertised) to serve an unrealistic number of purposes in a perfect way.
The phrase “einen Korb kriegen” is very commonly used in Germany to describe the situation where someone is rejected. Originally, this expression developed from a medieval custom.
German LKW just don’t look as badass as American trucks. Plus, they tend to block the roads with lengthy and completely out-of-place overtaking maneuvers just when I want to get home quickly because I have Flitzkacke.
Like everywhere else in the world, politicians in Germany are often compared to animals—and not always in the most flattering way. But every four years, when we call the grandees of the political parties “elephants,” it’s not meant as an insult.
There are tons of clichés about German manners, most of them revolving around our somewhat pedantic attitude. In other words: Germans will break out in sweat if not everything is in perfect order.
Erdbeerwoche is a undeniably awesome euphemism for that time of the month. There are even more hilarious expressions for mother nature’s gift.
It has probably nothing to do with donkeys being stupid, but rather a bit stubborn. They refuse to wade through water – so their owners have to build an improvised bridge to make them cross a creek.
For instance, if a colleague gets a higher wage or more interesting tasks because he’s a personal friend of your boss, the rest of the company will rightfully accuse him of getting “Extrawürste”
We Germans are very straightforward people. We really don’t have a reputation for pretending. So how can it be that we supposedly fake something in our kitchen of all places?
This beautiful word does not have its origins in the German after-work party culture, but was originally used for the evening before a public holiday, until it was reinterpreted in the 16th century.
It’s what you might call a classic “Faux pas”. Like when you made that stupid fat joke in front of your overweight colleague. Or when you offered a cigarette to an asthmatic.
The word describes a mixture of empathy, psychological sensitivity, politeness, and eloquence that is needed unless you want to create an awkward atmosphere.
According to studies, the German manhood is rather average when measured in size. However, what Germany lacks in magnitude, it compensates in the sheer amount of words to describe “it”.
This blog is a love letter to the curiosities of the German language that give it its poetic and, at times, oddly humorous qualities.
The “German Is Weird” book is now available: order here!
