Scheibenkleister
November 4, 2021
These kind of euphemistic mispronunciations are present in other languages as well—just think of English “shoot!” or “sugar!”
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The “German is weird” book is now available:
order here
These kind of euphemistic mispronunciations are present in other languages as well—just think of English “shoot!” or “sugar!”
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.
Many people think that Germany is a nation of grumpy sourpusses who spend most of their free time demonizing their fate. True “Stinkstiefel”, in other words.
Have you ever witnessed a guy desperately trying to make a move on a girl who is at least 2 levels too hot and obviously not interested? Or a spectacularly unfunny comedian on stage?
It is quite hard to tell what exactly is the point of this word. When I think about it, it might refer to a person who does not take an uncontrolled dump, but defecates in small, perfectly even-sized portions.
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.
The German language is notorious for the humongous amount of consonant you can string together. However, there seams to be a consensus that 8 is the maximum.
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.
Everyone knows that one lady who is always dressed a little too lavishly and always has a little too much makeup on her face – even in completely inappropriate situations.
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?
Granted, the English equivalent “nipple” is not a happy choice either. But at least, it does not sound like something that you would immediately run to a dermatologist with.
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!
