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German is weird: Fun Facts and Trivia about the German language

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!

Flitzekacke: A colloquial German word for diarrhea that roughly translates to "speedy poop"

Vorglühen: To have some drinks before a party with a few close friends

Arschgeweih: The German word for a tramp stamp literally translates to "ass antlers"

Eierlegende Wollmilchsau ("egg-laying wooly dairy pig"): That's how Germans call an all-in-one solution

Saftladen ("juice shop"): That's how Germans call any kind of poorly run business

Backpfeifengesicht ("cheek whistle face"): Someone who makes you feel the desire to punch him in the face just by looking at him

Hüftgold: That‘s how Germans call the excess fat around their waists and I think it‘s one of the coolest euphemisms ever

Kotflügel: The fender of a car is literally called a “poop wing” in German

Staubsauger: A vacuum cleaner is called a “dust sucker” in German and without any doubt that‘s an objectively better name

Filmriss: When you can’t remember what happened last night because you were too drunk, Germans will say you have a “film tear”

Arschkarte: When you are in the least fortunate position, Germans will say you have “pulled the ass card”.

Nullachtfünfzehn: When something is very average and not worth talking about, Germans say it's “zero eight fifteen”

Extrawurst: When someone receives special treatment, Germans will say they “get an extra sausage”

Klugscheißer ("wise shitter"): That’s how Germans refer to a know-it-all. And believe me, you will find a good amount of them in Germany ;)

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

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

german.is.weird

As in, "Das Dirndl fürs Oktoberfest steht Dir aus

As in, "Das Dirndl fürs Oktoberfest steht Dir ausgezeichnet!" - "Wow, Danke - das geht runter wie Öl!" ("The Dirndl for Oktoberfest looks fantastic on you!" - "Wow, thanks - this goes down like oil!").
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#gehtrunterwieöl
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

...which must be one of the oldest German dad joke

...which must be one of the oldest German dad jokes, dating back to long before dad jokes were even a thing.
#kirschgrün
#dadjokes
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

The phrase refers to the old custom that married w

The phrase refers to the old custom that married women used to cover their hair with a hood. Though this was common only until about 1800, the idiom has survived to this day - and is sometimes also used for men 💍
#hochzeit
#heiraten
#unterderhaube
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#languagelover

Pretty sure no one will solve No. 4 😉 #germanl

Pretty sure no one will solve No. 4 😉
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts

The word is frequently used in German – for inst

The word is frequently used in German – for instance, when you try a new recipe on your friends first before you embarrass yourself in front of your date 😝
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#Versuchskaninchen
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

The phrase is linked to the fact that a vest pocke

The phrase is linked to the fact that a vest pocket is usually relatively small and easily accessible. So you generally know what's in it. In contrast to the briefcase, for example, where I tend to find an old sandwich from Friday when I open it in the office on Monday 😅🥪🙈
#westentasche
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#languagelover

The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

As in: "Ich habe mich mit meinem Kumpel in die Wol

As in: "Ich habe mich mit meinem Kumpel in die Wolle gekriegt, weil er ein Bild von meiner Freundin mit 🔥😍 kommentiert hat." - "My buddy and I got into each others wool after he posted 🔥😍 as a comment to my girlfriend’s pic."
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

The term illustrates the medieval idea that all ki

The term illustrates the medieval idea that all kinds of diseases were inflicted on a person by supernatural beings by shooting them with an arrow. In some cases, women were even accused of witchcraft because they were held responsible for the back pain of their fellow men. No need to romanticize the middle ages... 🧙‍♀️
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#hexenschuss
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funnywords
#learngerman
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#languagefacts

The expression goes back to an old story of Till E

The expression goes back to an old story of Till Eulenspiegel, the protagonist of a European narrative tradition. In one of his stories, he worked for a brewer who had a dog called "Hopf". When the brewmaster told Eulenspiegel to boil the hops (German: „Hopfen“) in the pan, he misunderstood him… and the poor dog was boiled instead.
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#languagelover

german.is.weird 🇵🇱🫶❤️ The 'German Is

german.is.weird
🇵🇱🫶❤️
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#germanlanguage
#polnischesprache
#polnisch
#polishlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#languagelover

It's roughly comparable to the (equally awesome) E

It's roughly comparable to the (equally awesome) English phrase "to put your foot in your mouth." 🦶👄
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

"Er geht dafür über Leichen" is roughly comparab

"Er geht dafür über Leichen" is roughly comparable to the english phrase "He would sell his grandmother for it." 💸👵🏻
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

The word Meerbusen is a loan translation of the La

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. 😉
It is particularly used for gulfs in Northern Europe, like "Finnischer Meerbusen" (Gulf of Finland), "Bottnischer Meerbusen" (Gulf of Bothnia) or "Rigaischer Meerbusen" (Gulf of Riga).
#meerbusen
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

I have asked this question 2 years ago, back when

I have asked this question 2 years ago, back when this channel was very small. So today, let's use our swarm intelligence to settle this question once and for all 🤓🌎
#nutella
#germanlanguage
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

Tag someone you would hold your hand into the fire

Tag someone you would hold your hand into the fire for ✋🔥
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#languagelover

„Glaubst Du, dass Deutschland beim nächsten Tur

„Glaubst Du, dass Deutschland beim nächsten Turnier wieder in der Vorrunde scheitert?“ - „Das ist doch klar wie Kloßbrühe!“ (“Do you think Germany will fail in the preliminary round again at the next tournament?” - “That’s as clear as dumpling broth”)
Originally, the expression referred to the so-called " Klosterbrühe" (monastery broth). This broth had to be thin and transparent to avoid overindulgence. Only later did it turn into "Kloßbrühe" (dumpling broth) - rather jokingly and ironically, since this normally becomes rather cloudy due to the starch.
#klarwiekloßbrühe
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts

"sturmfrei" is a word so perfectly German that dic

"sturmfrei" is a word so perfectly German that dictionaries won’t even give you a vague English translation. That’s understandable because the term carries so much meaning. It does not only describe the state of having no parents around, but a special feeling where you really intend to use the freedom that a place all to yourself offers. I'm genuinely curious to hear if there is word like this in any other language!
The 'German Is Weird' book is now available 🤓📖 Click the link in the bio to find out more ☝️
#sturmfrei
#germanlanguage
#funfacts
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#languagefacts
#languagelover

No. 4 is a tough one 🤯 #sprichwörter #deutsc

No. 4 is a tough one 🤯
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

My sympathies go out to all who spent countless ho

My sympathies go out to all who spent countless hours on the Autobahn, only to be forced to turn back with a broken heart. To all who made it to the Holy Ground: Have a blast in Wacken!!! 🤘🤘
#wacken
#inswassergefallen
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

The 'B' stands for "Beziehungen" (relations/connec

The 'B' stands for "Beziehungen" (relations/connections).
In German offices, you will often hear talks like "Sie hat die Stelle doch nur über Vitamin B bekommen! Sie geht doch ständig abends mit dem Chef aus!" ("She only got the job through vitamin B! She goes out with the boss all the time in the evening!")
#vitaminb
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

"Du hast doch nicht mehr alle Tassen im Schrank!"

"Du hast doch nicht mehr alle Tassen im Schrank!" is similar to the English expression “you have lost your marbles!”
The expression probably goes back to the Yiddish word “toshia,“ which means something like “wit” or “reason” and sounds similar to “Tasse.” ☕️🧠
#nichtmehralletassenimschrank
#nichtalletassenimschrank
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

There are also a bunch of creative alternatives li

There are also a bunch of creative alternatives like Leidmahl (“grief meal”), Traueressen (“sorrow food”) or Tränenbrot (“tear bread”) which are all not without their own level of macabreness ⚰️🕯️
#leichenschmaus
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

"Latin" is used colloquially in German as a generi

"Latin" is used colloquially in German as a generic term for specialized knowledge in a particular subject area. Examples are “Anglerlatein“ („anglers' Latin“) or „Jägerlatein“ („hunters' Latin“). And that’s probably how this nice little saying came about.
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

Nr. 5 REALLY surprised me! 😮😉 #arabischespr

Nr. 5 REALLY surprised me! 😮😉
#arabischesprache
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

Like many other German expression, this one probab

Like many other German expression, this one probably has its roots in Yiddish. "Seo" is the Yiddish word for "standard" or "benchmark," but it sounds much like "Sau" to German ears. And that's how this saying, that actually means something like "below any standard," eventually came about. 🐷
#unterallersau
#germanlanguage
#sprichwörter
#deutschsprichwörter
#german
#funfacts
#trivia
#funnywords
#learngerman
#unnützeswissen
#deutschesprache
#deutschespracheschweresprache
#germanisweird
#languagefacts
#alman
#almanmemes
#almanstyle
#languagelover

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