Feierabend
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.
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.
Germans are said to be quite small-minded people who will break out in sweat if everything is not in perfect order. This is reflected in a plethora of German words for people with this character trait.
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.
About 14,8 million Germans work in offices. That’s more than a third of all Germans who have a job. That’s one of reasons why many Germans already have quite a pronounced backside in their 30s.
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.
The word has been around since the 16th century and originally referred to the final reprieve given to a delinquent before his execution…
Germans tend to leave home earlier than many of their European neighbors. But despite this head start on independence, the phenomenon of “Hotel Mama” still thrives in Germany.
These kind of euphemistic mispronunciations are present in other languages as well—just think of English “shoot!” or “sugar!”
“Okay young man, one more round of Fortnite, but after that, it’s Zapfenstreich!” That’s a sentence you might hear in some German children’s rooms in the 2020s.
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.
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!
