Hexenschuss

Hexenschuss: The German word for a sudden lower back pain literally translates to “shot by a witch”

Yes, it’s painful! And it comes without any warning… All it takes is one clumsy movement and you suddenly feel like an 80 year old crock who shouts out in ache every time you stand up from your seat

Meerbusen

Meerbusen: A gulf is literally called a "sea boob" in German.

Of, course, there is a good reason for this. The word Meerbusen is a loan translation of the Latin “sinus maritimus.” The word “sinus” can refer to both a bay and… well… a breast.

sturmfrei

sturmfrei (“storm-free”): The state where no parents are at home and kids are free to do whatever they want.

Sturmfrei is one of these German terms for which dictionaries do not even offer a vague equivalent. It does not only describe a certain state, but a special feeling where you really intend to use this temporary freedom.

Leichenschmaus

Leichenschmaus: A funeral reception is called a “corpse feast” in German

I remember finding the word Leichenschmaus extremely off-putting when I was a kid and could not believe that a concept like this even existed. But it does indeed, and no, it is not linked to cannibalism…

Trostpflaster

Trostpflaster ("patch of solace"): A small, usually insignificant compensation for a great disappointment.

The term is also frequently used in sports: For example, soccer fans often refer to the entire Europa League as a “Trostpflaster” for clubs that did’t make it to the Champions League. 

Götterspeise

Götterspeise (“dish of Gods“): That’s how Germans refer to jello.Well, if I was God, I’d probably choose something else...

Even as a kid, I kept asking myself: Of all the treats in the world – why on heaven and earth does this gooey mess carry such a sophisticated name? 

Fingerspitzengefühl

Fingerspitzengefühl ("finger-tip feeling"): A fine sense of how to act in delicate situations

The word describes a mixture of empathy, psychological sensitivity, politeness, and eloquence that is needed unless you want to create an awkward atmosphere.

Pustekuchen!

Pustekuchen: When a German shouts “blowcake” at you, it means they don’t agree in the slightest with what you just said

“Dieses Jahr wird Bayern München die Meisterschaft verpassen”—„Pustekuchen! Das wird nicht passieren” (“This year, Bayern Munich will miss the championship”—“Blowcake! That’s not gonna happen”).

Schnapsidee

Schnapsidee ("booze idea"): An idea so crazyyou can hardly imagine someone came up with it in a sober condition

If you ever texted your ex at 3 a.m. after you have just recovered from the breakup, you know that ideas you have under heavy alcohol influence are rarely worth imitating.

Hamsterkauf

Hamsterkauf ("hamster purchase"): That’s how Germans refer to panic buying. However, they tend to hoard toilet paper rather than pets.

The term goes back to the hamster’s ability to collect vast quantities of supplies in its cheek pouches. Just like the Germans’ ability to stash vast quantities of noodles and toilet paper in their cellars.