Category: Featured

Klugscheißer

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 ;)

Klugscheißen is a true national sport in Germany. To be honest, it is hard to have a conversation with a German without them correcting you every 10 seconds.

Extrawurst

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

We always talk about an Extrawurst when someone demands—or actually receives—an inappropriate privilege.

Nullachtfünfzehn

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

Germans use this word to describe something that is downright boring due to its plainness and really doesn’t lure anyone out from behind the stove.

Arschkarte

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

The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear. However, many believe that there is a connection to the red card in team sports like soccer.

Filmriss

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

It’s important to know your limit so that exactly something like a Filmriss never happens. It’s not remotely pleasant to text your friends the next day in a panic to ask what on earth you’ve been up to.

Staubsauger

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

Just to get that right out of the way: “vacuum cleaner” is a crappy term, as my new Dyson does not clean vacuums, but carpets. In contrast, the German counterpart Staubsauger scores with perfect simplicity.

Kotflügel

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

The word comes from a time when the Germans streets were still dominated by horse-drawn carriages – and the tons of excrements they left behind.

Hüftgold

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

“A man without a belly is a cripple”. That’s what my grandma used to say when I refused to eat. When it comes to justifying the excess pounds, we Germans are overwhelmingly creative.

Backpfeifengesicht

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

Backpfeifengesicht is a perfect example of creative insults that the German language has on offer. It is highly effective, yet innocent enough to not have you bleeped out.

Saftladen

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

Oddly enough, a company does not need to be a shop nor particularly “juicy” in order to be called this way. The term just refers to any company that appears poorly organized or unpleasant in any other way.