…and this is a 
I really need to learn a good collection of creative German cuss words. It's been a harrowing, overlong day and a half of travel, with late flights leading to missed connections leading to long periods standing in lines with Germans, who were all very nice and helpful, except that I learned that even if your flight is leaving in ten minutes they will politely tell you that no, you cannot move to the front of the line. And now at last, though, I have finally arrived at my lovely funky hotel in Lindau, and it's a beautiful afternoon, and I'm going to take a pleasant walk down to the lake, and maybe I don't need those rude German words after all.
I do need a shower first, though. Running through airports tends to generate a bit of musk.
Comments
Posted by: Rorschach | June 29, 2009 10:21 AM
Good on you PZ !!!
Welcome in Germany,and have a good time !
Posted by: Lynna | June 29, 2009 10:22 AM
Hooray! To He That Hath Arrived, enjoy the walk. My daughter, who travels to foreign destinations much more than I, told me that a shower and walk is the best way to reset the body's clock and begin the process of overcoming jet lag.
Posted by: Richard Harris
|
June 29, 2009 10:23 AM
... maybe I don't need those rude German words after all.
Sure you don't, PZ. The Germans are a very nice, considerate people, in my experience. (Except for the cops!)
Posted by: M Murphy | June 29, 2009 10:24 AM
I almost thought I was on twitter for a moment.
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM
|
June 29, 2009 10:27 AM
Good to hear you arrived after all. I was beginning to wonder if you were in the Bermuda triangle of lost luggage.
Posted by: Gilian | June 29, 2009 10:28 AM
Almost any German word can be used as a rude word. I mean, the whole language is one big rude cussin' session.
Pronounced properly a word like Apfelstrüdel (Apple-pie) already sounds quite insulting!
*gently pokes fun at his German neighbours*
:)
Posted by: Kel | June 29, 2009 10:31 AM
I'd really like to go to Germany one day.
For the foreseeable future, I may just have to settle for german beer and sausages at a workmates place.
Posted by: Abber | June 29, 2009 10:34 AM
Enjoy Germany and don't spend all your time working. It's a great place to visit and the people are wonderful. They also do the best Bratwurst and some fantastic beers.
Posted by: Bostonian | June 29, 2009 10:36 AM
Congrats on completing the trip. Germany's a fun country to visit, though I couldn't help notice that your post doesn't mention beer anywhere. You'll have to remedy this very soon. :)
Posted by: Stanton
|
June 29, 2009 10:37 AM
I always thought the vast majority of German profanity revolved around casting aspersions on other people's abilities to make beer, cheese, sausage and or pastries.
Posted by: Daniel de Rauglaudre
|
June 29, 2009 10:39 AM
You can say "Kruzifix!" which is the equivalent to "fuck!" or "shit!".
Posted by: PZ Myers
|
June 29, 2009 10:43 AM
There hasn't been time for Bier! I just arrived, and first priority was defunkification in the shower. But now I've got the whole evening, and it feels like 10am to me!
Posted by: Watchman | June 29, 2009 10:46 AM
Lindau is lovely, I was there many years ago, when I was fourteen. I had my first glass of mineral water there - a small, but vivid, memory.) I hope it hasn't changed dramatically. Enjoy your stay. There are many worse places to be than on the shores of the Bodensee in late June!
Posted by: APic | June 29, 2009 10:46 AM
Some useful German words.
ashlocke: arsehole
scheisse: shit
backpfeifengesicht: you have a face that needs a backhand
Posted by: APic | June 29, 2009 10:49 AM
Some useful German words.
ashlocke: arsehole
scheisse: shit
backpfeifengesicht: you have a face that needs a backhand
Posted by: Kel | June 29, 2009 10:50 AM
This is why God invented shower beer...Posted by: Somnolent Aphid | June 29, 2009 10:53 AM
favorite german word: fussgangerzone
it was the first word ms aphid and i saw when we cross the border, and it's stuck with us ever since, although the word handschuh runs a close second.
Posted by: forksmuggler | June 29, 2009 10:54 AM
The only German I know comes from Frank Zappa's "Joe's Garage" album in the song 'Stick it Out.' He does the first verse in German (the sex robots really dig a guy dressed as a housewife who can speak German), the second in English.
Fick mich, du
Miserabler hurensohn
(Fuck me, you ugly son of a bitch.)
Aber beklecker nicht
Das sofa, sofa!
(Don't get no jism on that sofa, sofa!)
I hope you can find an occasion to use these during your stay.
Posted by: ospalh | June 29, 2009 10:54 AM
As Lindau is (just barely) in Bavaraia, you should start calling unfriendly people "Saupreuss" prononced "sow-price". It means something like "bloody Prussian".
Posted by: TerrellK | June 29, 2009 10:57 AM
You know PZ the German's don't really get to worried about body funk!! When in German do as the German's do, drink lots of beer and don't worry about the shower!!! Hope you have a great time in Germany, I really miss my days there.
Posted by: Richard Harris
|
June 29, 2009 10:57 AM
There is one particularly vulgar German expression, used as a greeting, depending upon which state you're in: Gruss Gott.
Posted by: Daien Trotter | June 29, 2009 10:59 AM
PZ, I feel that I have to warn you somewhat about Germany: it is not unknown for many of the German populace to indulge in what is known as a stein or two of beer. Often this strange custom will go long into the night and can be accompanied with strange edible poles of pork embedded in a bread-like substance. The pork poles (in their open-sided carbohydrate jackets) may well arrive smothered in a yellowish, spicy goo to make them more palatable.
However, do not be afraid. The consumption of such peculiar delicacies has been practiced in Germany for many generations, and once acclimatised you may well find them oddly pleasant.
Hic. Burp.
Posted by: Equisetum | June 29, 2009 11:01 AM
In my experience Germans just don't cuss very much. 'Scheiße' is the most common that I've heard. The Germans are very easy to get along with, very good natured and a good sense of humor. Enjoy your stay in Lindau.
And you can, I think, safely ignore what Richard Harris said about the cops. (Not that you'd have any reason to deal with them.) I've seen them deal with some very nasty people here, and even saw one cop get assaulted on the street. I've never seen one lose their cool. Compared to U.S. cops these guys are, well, rational. Like cops should be.
Posted by: Rebecca C. | June 29, 2009 11:03 AM
For some reason it pleases me that the German airport didn't rush anyone to the front of the line. Don't get me wrong, I'm sad that you and others missed your connecting flights. But that no-exceptions method is an occasionally welcome alternative to Americans' "I'm special! I get special treatment!" attitude about everything.
Posted by: El Machete | June 29, 2009 11:06 AM
Here are a few handy working phrases, with even some literary/artistic value to them:
"Leck mich im Arsch, du Fickfrosch!"
(cfr. Mozart)
"Du kannst mich mal, Schweinehund!"
(cfr. Goethe)
Posted by: Richard Harris
|
June 29, 2009 11:06 AM
Equisetum, it depends upon your perspective.
My experience of cops is mostly British & Canadian, so what I said holds, for me. But I admit, it might not for PZ.
Posted by: Joe L. | June 29, 2009 11:10 AM
My wife and I lived in Munich for a year, and we spent our first anniversary in Lindau. It was very nice - quiet, peaceful, beautiful. We did a bike ride where we hit 4 countries all in one day! We started out in Germany in Lindau, went south through the corner of Austria, rode all the way across the small country of Liechtenstein, into Switzerland, then back north to the Bodensee, before heading back through Austria and finally back to Lindau.
Our photo gallery here - http://tinyurl.com/lindaugallery
Posted by: Joe L. | June 29, 2009 11:14 AM
My wife and I lived in Munich for a year, and we spent our first anniversary in Lindau. It was very nice - quiet, peaceful, beautiful. We did a bike ride where we hit 4 countries all in one day! We started out in Germany in Lindau, went south through the corner of Austria, rode all the way across the small country of Liechtenstein, into Switzerland, then back north to the Bodensee, before heading back through Austria and finally back to Lindau.
Our photo gallery here - http://tinyurl.com/lindaugallery
Posted by: detrius | June 29, 2009 11:17 AM
Ah, but that would only be appropriate if PZ was in Old Bavaria - Bavaria consists of three regions: the historical Bavarian state, Franconia and Swabia. Lindau is in Swabia, which means the people living there speak a different dialect and might not like it when they're being mistaken for Bavarians.
Posted by: Darren Garrison | June 29, 2009 11:17 AM
You should greet everyone you see with a hearty "Farfegnugen!" I seem to recall that is a popular German word.
Posted by: IanB | June 29, 2009 11:17 AM
#15 already got mine:
Backpfeifengesicht: A face badly in need of a fist.
Posted by: Clemens | June 29, 2009 11:18 AM
It always feels a bit strange to see how we Germans are seen by the rest of the world :D
We do cuss a lot, though. In Bavaria, being predominantly catholic, a lot of curses invoke the virgin mary or the crucifix.
Our police... I'd say our cops are way more relaxed and easy going than US cops. For one thing, they won't shoot you (or hysterically yell at you) when you leave your car after being pulled over. Of course, not every dumbass has a gun here, so there's not so much they would have to be afraid about.
What PZ experienced in the lines at the airport is something I myself would call "typically German". Always stick to the rules... It has been said about us (and definitely is true at least for the older generation) that we patiently wait at traffic lights 3 a.m. in the night when there's not a single car around and this goes in the same direction: You follow the rules and there are no exceptions. Never ask yourself why this rule is there, just stick to it. Must be the remains of the Obrigkeitsstaat.
Posted by: Equisetum | June 29, 2009 11:22 AM
Richard Harris: Yeah, I figured you were probably not from the States when you said that. U.S. cops seem to be getting more and more violent and trigger happy all the time. Since PZ is American I thought I'd try to put him at ease in case he gets a little rowdy. You won't be tazed, Dude.
Posted by: Jochen Bedersdorfer | June 29, 2009 11:22 AM
Welcome to my old home, good ole' Germany.
Unfortunately you are in Bavaria now, which means, even if you think you understand a little bit of german and maybe speak a few sentences, you won't be able to understand anything at all.
The natives down there have a funny accent and there are tons of people who don't even speak or understand proper german.
But I guess, this is not your first encounter with those Hinterwäldler from south germany :)
Good luck!
Jochen (ex-Saarländer)
PS: Saarland is the place to be in germany! :)
Posted by: Zap Brannigan | June 29, 2009 11:24 AM
Since you are in the Bodensee area they might serve Rothaus Pisener and Tannenzäpfle. Just keep your eyes open for this logo: Rothaus
Oh, and the worst possible swearword anyone can come up with is probably "spermarülpsende Arschfotze", which translates to something like sperm-burping asscunt. My advice would be to have an exit strategy in place should you intend to use those words.
Posted by: Michael Eybye | June 29, 2009 11:25 AM
What you need to know, PZ, is that German isn't really that difficult. All you actually need to speak it is to shout, be really angry and wave around with your arms like a madman. Shouldn't be so hard for you methinks.
Here's a few words that'll help you get by the day.
"Donnerwetter" That actually translates as thunderstorm, but it's a good german curse word aswell.
"Scheize" This basically means "damn it"
"Du schwuler Sau" This means "you gay swine"
Otherwise you can always google them if you want.
So have fun and don't do anything a German wouldn't do :D
Posted by: Kels | June 29, 2009 11:37 AM
Congratulations to PZ for making it safely to his destination. And say, have you seen this cuteness yet? Sure to make a good day even better!
Posted by: Fatmop | June 29, 2009 11:37 AM
"Verpiss dich" = piss off.
That's all I remember aside from what's been stated already.
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 11:42 AM
Creative, or German?
Well, OK, in some dialects there are ways to get around that. For example, Viennese offers a wonderful way to say "have they shat into your brain".
If you'd know how to pronounce it, you'd know to spell it with u, not ü.
Maybe in Bavaria proper. Everywhere else, religious curses are way out of fashion as far as I know. (Funnily enough, however, the godless Czechs keep them…
No, no, no, no, no. Locke is "lock [of hair]". What you're looking for is Arschloch (the r is just there to lengthen the a, British-style). Pronounced like in Loch Ness, and very, very popular. In fact, it took me months to figure out it even had a meaning other than "evil person".
Very regional. Might not be understood in Swabia.
Miserabel doesn't mean "ugly". It means "miserable" in the sense of "generally bad", and is used way less frequently than in English. People wouldn't feel insulted by that sentence, they'd stop and go "huh?".
nuqneH?
Do you mean Fahrvergnügen? That means "pleasure of driving"…
Posted by: Gunnar | June 29, 2009 11:43 AM
Welcome to Germany! I don´t think that you need to learn harsh words in german. OK, there may be the normal percentage of stupid people around like in any other country, but most of my countrymen and -women are nice and decent people. So enjoy our good beer and the (hopefull) nice evening sun. Hope the weather down south is getting better by the time.
Posted by: Raiko | June 29, 2009 11:49 AM
We Germans are actually very nice, we just have sour faces by nature.
Scheiße (shit), Arschloch (asshole), Fick dich! (fuck you!), Himmelarschundzwirn! (goshdarnit!), Oh mein Gott (oh my god), Sakrament nochmal (dammit, Bavarian style), Drecksack / Drecksau(dirtbag), Sackgesicht (Sack-face), Schweinehund (swinedog) [yeah, I don't know why we have it with piggs], Kuh (cow), dummes Huhn / Schaf (stupid chicken / sheep), Ziege (goat), Zicke / Schlampe / Hure (bitch), Wichser (masturbator), Hurensohn (son of a bitch), Du kannst mich mal (kiss my ass), fick dich ins Knie (fuck yourself in the leg[???]), Penner (beggar), Rotzlöffel (snot-face, for boys), Göre (swear word which is addressing girls), verfluchter Mist! (cursed crap!), Sonntagsfahrer (Sunday-driver, for slow drivers), Pistensau (slope-pig, for fast drivers or bad skiing people), Drache (dragon, for unloved grandmothers and mothers in law), Affe (monkey), Blödmann (stupid guy), Idiot (idiot), Dummkopf (stupid head), doof / dumm (stupid), Neanderthaler, Flasche (bottel), Vollidiot (total idiot),...
No, I'm not swearing a lot, I have a book for translating idioms between German and English.
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 11:53 AM
Ah, that explains something.
Yeah, right :-)
In places where Fotze actually has that meaning. Elsewhere it means the same as Backpfeife, a word used in different regions: beating people upside the head.
Unless the other guy just starts laughing, because that one really is creative.
Maybe 50 years ago in rather polite circles.
Not z, ß.
No, it's schwule Sau (feminine, not masculine), because Sau is "sow". The fun part is that schwul is exclusively applied to male homosexuality. I think someone tried to find a way to say "you're disgusting and gay", and it caught on in spite or maybe because of its absurdity.
Of course, nowadays, in less homophobic times, it's somewhat on the decline, but it was quite popular fairly recently.
Posted by: Catherina | June 29, 2009 11:53 AM
Danke David - swear words spelling corrected :)
PZ - you do not ask to jump the queue - you just do it. Works in Germany MUCH better than in the UK.
Enjoy Bavaria - keep in mind that Lindau will NOT be representative of any place north of Lindau (i.e. most of Germany). Note that the Bratwurst is best before noon. You can have beer any time of the day ;)
Posted by: flo | June 29, 2009 11:55 AM
@foreign people trying to give advice on german words, swearwords or not, better stop right now, you're only making a fool of yourself, and it hurts my eyes and brain.
Posted by: Christopher
|
June 29, 2009 11:55 AM
Verpissen auf should get you the necessary reaction if people won't leave you alone.
Posted by: Christophe Thill | June 29, 2009 11:56 AM
Why do I have the weird impression that everyone is trying to get PZ to live a "hungarian phrasebook" moment? "Hey, I remember the lovely name German people give each other as a token of friendship: 'Schweinhund'. Pronounce 'shvine-hoont', with both syllables accented. Say it loud and clear. People especially tend to call policemen that way, in order to mark their well-known respect for order, so don't forget to do the same". Hmm, PZ, if I were you, I'd be suspicious...
Posted by: Chris | June 29, 2009 11:57 AM
I recommend "verfickte Scheisse". It's guaranteed to get a response.
Posted by: Raiko | June 29, 2009 11:57 AM
Woah. I do speak both languages really.
Knie of course means knee, not leg.
Some addons:
Saufnase, Schluckspecht (for people who drink too much), Gnom / Gartenzwerg / Giftzwerg (for angry, small male people), Dreikäsehoch (three-cheese-high, for arrogant little children who want to be grown up), Tunte (for drag-queens and women with too much make up and an attitude), Teufelsbraten (devil-roast, for evil children), Bengel (evil boy), Naschkatze (sugar-cat, for kids who eat too many sweets), Zuhälter (pimp), Saftschubse (juice-pusher, for bad flight attendants), Holzkopf (wood-head), Vogelscheuche (scarecrow, for ugly people),...
Posted by: Felix | June 29, 2009 11:57 AM
I'm usually very rational about things connected with standing in line. Which means that I enjoy letting someone advance past me if I have the time and am not in a foul mood. Generally my experience is that many people will let you advance if you appear friendly and won't take long.
The good thing about the language barrier is that even if they look at you funny for trying anything but the local accent, they won't screw you over with billing, unlike many other countries in Europe where they'd often double the bill if they think they could exploit your infamiliarity with the currency.
Speaking of which, you could try to collect coins from as many different European countries as you can, it's fun. They all have their own emblems on the coins. The smaller countries like Malta's coins are naturally relatively rare.
Oh, and notice that tipping works differently in Europe - you usually tip about ten percent in Germany if the service was ok, more only if it was exceptionally good. Not leaving a tip is considered very rude, unless the service really was annoying and incompetent.
Hey how about getting the Trophy Wife some local folk clothes like these:
http://www.kerstins-landhausmode.de/damentrachten.htm?tracking=adwords&gclid=CI7w05Trr5sCFQceZwodyS12IQ
http://www.trachten.de/index.php?cat=c2_Damen.html
Here's a list of local shops:
http://www.yellowmap.de/YM/Poi/Poi.aspx?Zip=881&Town=Lindau&CategoryText=Shopping&BC=3089&BranchBC=Trachten&Radius=20000
Have fun!
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 12:01 PM
What, do people still run around somewhere saying that?!?
(Heaven, ass, and not-quite-yarn… Patricia, help! What could I mean?)
Used very much like "wanker" (which of course means the same thing).
What's implied is more literally "lick it". Mozart wrote "lick it neatly clean" once.
In the knee of course.
Posted by: Richard Harris
|
June 29, 2009 12:05 PM
Kels # 39 nuqneH?
Please explain. By the way, my German is only about good for ordering a beer, (und wasser fur mein frau).
Posted by: 4nsicdoc | June 29, 2009 12:05 PM
Re:#21
"Gruss Gott" is the traditional Bavarian, swabian (or Schwabisch),and Austrian greeting. Bavaria is a Roman Catholic stronghold, the ruler of the region, William, having prohibited the dissimination of the works of Luther.
The good news is "I am an atheist," needs little translation - "Ich bin ein atheist." PZ, you must try the Rost Bar on Marktplatz. To a secular scientist like myself, doomed to a life of unbending literalness, it translates as the iron oxide bar.
Posted by: Duff | June 29, 2009 12:07 PM
The best Bavarian putdown is "steig ma rueckl runter". Get off my back.
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 12:10 PM
To start with, it's Schweinehund, and that's a third syllable. Only the first of the three is stressed.
That is, euro coins. The obverse is identical in all countries, but the reverse depends on where the coin was minted.
Come on, that's not an insult.
:-D :-D :-D
Might not be understood everywhere, though. This kind of word formation is limited to some small region or other in the northern half of Germany.
Posted by: Randy | June 29, 2009 12:12 PM
Rindfleischhammer means BeefHammer, which isn't a cuss word per se, but it is fun to say.
Fick Dich! also works.
Muschi is the slang term for a woman's vagina (as opposed to a man's vagina...)
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 12:13 PM
Klingon. Means "what do you want" and is the closest thing that language has to a greeting.
"Iron oxide" as in "rust".
Posted by: Laurie | June 29, 2009 12:13 PM
This may help.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/cool/
Posted by: Felix | June 29, 2009 12:15 PM
Verpissen auf should get you the necessary reaction if people won't leave you alone.
If you mean the necessary reaction is an amused look of puzzlement, followed by a polite smile and a pitying headshake, yes. What you wrote translates to 'piss onto', which really doesn't mean anything.
It should be 'Verpiss dich' - piss off, young person or person I know, or any drunk
or 'verpissen sie sich' - piss off, adult person I do not wish to know more about
Raiko - I think that's the best list for PZ to try, looks mostly quite modern and useful
Posted by: techskeptic | June 29, 2009 12:18 PM
so jealous
Lindau is gorgeous.
So was my ex girlfriend who lives there.
Posted by: Keenacat | June 29, 2009 12:19 PM
Catherina @ #43:
Nooo, not the Bratwurst is best before noon, but the Weißwurst. Weißwürste are cooked, not grilled/fried, and eaten with sweet mustard and prezels. Basically, they are sucked out of their (usually unswallowable) skin.
Weißwurst
Bratwurst
Bratwürste can be eaten any time of the day.
Posted by: DaveH | June 29, 2009 12:22 PM
Clemens #32 said:
Reminds me of the old joke
Why is there so little crime in Germany?
Because it is against the law!
Posted by: katie t | June 29, 2009 12:23 PM
The good news is that in the south, most people speak English well enough for you to stumble through with minimal Deutsch. What you really want is some food recommendations!
I *love* Schweinshaxe, which is routinely translated into English as "pig's knuckle," but which is more like the thigh of a pig perfectly baked until soft on the inside and cracklin' on the outside. Yum!
If you're in a hurry you can grab something -- anything -- in bread, and it'll be delicious. They definitely do bread right, and will have a good variety of rolls and grains to choose from.
And they're right about the beer! Because of the Reinheitsgebot ("Beer Purity Law") German beer can ONLY have water, barley, hops, and (now) yeast. Because it's only made from real ingredients, it's super smooth, and doesn't dehydrate you as quickly as some more inferior brews. I have a soft spot for a Dunkel, but many people swear by Weissbier. Just try not to think about bananas when you taste it.
Posted by: Catherina | June 29, 2009 12:26 PM
Keenacat (lower my head in shame) you are quite right and I meant Weisswuerste...
Posted by: Keenacat | June 29, 2009 12:30 PM
@katie t:
Some people do order their Weißbier mixed with banana juice. It's rather common and usually known as "Bananenweizen".
I think it's disgusting, but then, I hate bananas in general.
There is a nice grapefruit-mix with Weißbier en vouge right now, Schöfferhofer Grapefruit. That is lovely, especially when it's hot outside.
Posted by: NickCave | June 29, 2009 12:40 PM
If you are lucky you may have access to a Beer called "Alt Bier" (old beer) which is mainly brewed in Düsseldorf. I recommend that one, but DO NOT drink "Kölsch", because its purely made of urine from people from Cologne and you dont want to drink that, do you.
Pils and Weizenbier are also ok, but remember, dont even think about drinking "Kölsch"!
Posted by: Rapture | June 29, 2009 12:42 PM
ONE LESS ATHEIST.
our country is the better for it, even if for a few days.
God bless.
Posted by: Patricia, Ignorant Slut OM
|
June 29, 2009 12:49 PM
Get stuffed Rapture.
Posted by: RickD
|
June 29, 2009 12:49 PM
OK,
well, pretty much no German says "Schweinhund".
You are much more likely to hear "Leck mich" than "fick mich".
If you want a nice, mellow plaintive thing to say that expresses frustration without being offensive, you can say
"Was soll dass?" (What is that supposed to be?)
"Troddel" is a nice word that means idiot. Can make it stronger as "Volltroddel!"
Of course, as others have pointed out, you can just swear in English. Pretty much every German knows the most common English swear words.
Posted by: Keenacat | June 29, 2009 12:55 PM
:D
Troddel
The cussword is Trottel.
Posted by: Rapture | June 29, 2009 1:00 PM
I'll pray for you Patricia.
God bless
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 1:00 PM
The shank and/or forearm actually.
Trottel – and because it's not American, this difference is pronounced!
Posted by: ThirtyFiveUp | June 29, 2009 1:00 PM
#37 Kels
That Jib Jab site is awesome. I watched the Obama cartoon and read some of the silly comments. Remember the cartoon of PZ, Eugenia Scott and Dawkins and Darwin dancing and singing? It is stupid/funny like that one.
Must do more exploration there soon.
Posted by: co | June 29, 2009 1:02 PM
OED: Rapture:
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 1:03 PM
And she'll think for both of you, I bet.
They've done the best Bush parodies ever.
Posted by: steve | June 29, 2009 1:05 PM
Not in the democratic republic of Quebec (province of Canada).
An entire profane vocabulary based on Roman Catholic "sacred" items, for example "tabernac", "calisse", "hostie" ...
Posted by: NickCave | June 29, 2009 1:09 PM
If you are lucky you may have access to a Beer called "Alt Bier" (old beer) which is mainly brewed in Düsseldorf. I recommend that one, but DO NOT drink "Kölsch", because its purely made of urine from people from Cologne and you dont want to drink that, do you.
Pils and Weizenbier are also ok, but remember, dont even think about drinking "Kölsch"!
Posted by: blf | June 29, 2009 1:14 PM
I thought I felt the continent wobble abit awhile ago… must have been when Pee Zed climbed out of his humanoid suit (so it could be washed and he could take a shower), unleashing his full array of sucker-covered arms, tentacles, horns, forked tail, and so on.
Posted by: Patricia, Ignorant Slut OM
|
June 29, 2009 1:16 PM
Rapture - Pray to Moccus to send me more bacon.
Posted by: Bostonian | June 29, 2009 1:17 PM
There's nothing wrong with Kölsch - it's good in hot weather. But since you're down near Munich, I recommend looking for a dunkel hefeweizen (dark wheat beer). There's nothing like them.
Posted by: daveau
|
June 29, 2009 1:22 PM
And I have it on good authority that Alt Bier is squeezed from the droppings of Düsseldorfer sewer rats. Köln über alles! /jk
I am certain that, after a few bieren with your new friends, they will be happy to teach you all you wish to know. I know that you're not really interested in behaving like an american stereotype.
Posted by: Evolution SWAT | June 29, 2009 1:24 PM
Dr. Myers,
Regarding the germans not letting you cut in line at the airport, I wonder why that is so in so many european countries. I find it rather offensive too. I would gladly let someone go in front of me so that they would not miss their flight. Europeans seem to be better educated on average than Americans. What makes them so inconsiderate? Am I prejudiced because I consider that aspect of their culture inferior?
@Rapture
Isn't Jesus a little late? 2,006 years and still counting ...
Posted by: meh1963 | June 29, 2009 1:25 PM
I don't recall a lot of swearing during my travels there. People were almost uncannily polite and well-mannered, compared to their US business counterparts. It was wonderful, and I'd work there in a heartbeat.
Running through airports tends to generate a bit of musk.
...and its smell is unique to airports. I think it's composed of the following, though it's certainly not limited to them:
Stress, stale sweat, too much clothing, musty computer bags, kerosene, stale pretzels, dried-out concession condiments, day-old McDonalds, bathrooms, the sneakers (at minimum) of the person next to you, outgassing electronic cr@p, disinfectant, and every cheap perfume sold in the last n years where n is a very large number.
Posted by: Mu | June 29, 2009 1:26 PM
Just remember, never order you unfiltered wheat beer (Hefeweizen) with a lemon, only the filtered stuff (Kristall).
Posted by: Seokso | June 29, 2009 1:46 PM
Forget the swear words. The bear words are far more important to know. I've always wanted to make a pilgrimage to the Weihenstephan brewery. They've been brewing beer since at least 1040, and doing a damn fine job at that. It's in Freising, which is just on the other side on München.
Posted by: Seokso | June 29, 2009 1:59 PM
Yeah, I wrote "bear." I know. This is just evidence that the average German probably speaks English better than the average American anyway, so go ahead and just swear with whichever words present themselves in the heat of the moment. A properly expressed swear should be well understood in any language.
Posted by: nkb | June 29, 2009 2:27 PM
I'm surprised that nobody has taught you the most useful word in Bavarian: Schmarrn!
Essentially, it means "bullshit", but is much more polite, and just a great dismissive word.
If someone tells you: "Der liebe Gott ist im Himmel" (God is in heaven) you can answer with a "Ach, so ein Schmarrn!".
Posted by: Patricia, Ignorant Slut OM
|
June 29, 2009 2:29 PM
Rapture - So far no bacon has shown up. You'd better really get to praying, I'm beginning to doubt your gawds power.
Posted by: nkb | June 29, 2009 2:31 PM
One important note: Kaiserschmarrn is a very tasty desert (Austrian, really, but widely available in Bavaria).
Don't worry about pissing someone off by ordering it.
Posted by: Jadehawk, OM
|
June 29, 2009 2:39 PM
ew.
Posted by: Riman Butterbur | June 29, 2009 2:52 PM
Catherina
Because the Germans can't imagine anyone breaking a rule unless they had the authority to do it?What do they do to you when they catch you at it?
Posted by: zottel | June 29, 2009 2:58 PM
@90
Well, invade France, of course!
Posted by: blf | June 29, 2009 3:07 PM
Teh Rapture gets rid of the idiots and delivers free bacon? That's an even better plan than the B Ark.
Posted by: antistokes
|
June 29, 2009 3:13 PM
...been in Dresden a month-- do not speak a word of German, and am actually finding this thread is very helpful (was chosen for my job based on more on my scientific rather than linguistic credentials).
however, most of the YOUNGER Germans speak passable english, it is now a required high school course (or so i have been told many times by the Germans here.)
Order the "schwartzbeir" (sp?) if you like darker beers. Yummy!
Posted by: Phodopus
|
June 29, 2009 3:16 PM
Schwarzbier, roughly pronouced shwartsbeer, definitely a good choice!
Posted by: Wildflower | June 29, 2009 3:19 PM
Swearing in Germany? That's sort of an art form :P
There's basically no words with a similar stigma like most American curse words have. For instance, no one will even turn around if you say "Scheisse!" (shit)... unless you do it with such a heavy accent that people become curious. That holds true for all generic, impersonal expressions.
Of the many words already posted, most are either very situational or very regional and using the wrong one will make you look anything but tough and probably only earn you ridicule.
If you don't just want to express your frustration but actually demean someone, it'll become dangerous. We do have freedom of speech (political, etc) but not freedom of opening your mouth and see what crap falls out. So, you can tell someone just how much you like them, but insults can get you arrested and fined (if against police or public servants they certainly will). So, not a good idea to try unless you can articulate yourself, in which case it's actually a lot of fun :P
Posted by: Dutch Delight | June 29, 2009 3:37 PM
Nobody wants to stand in line at an airport, and letting someone cut in front just because they can't plan their trip properly is not very high on my list of important things either. You just have to plan your travels more carefully, like everyone else has to.
Posted by: Wildflower | June 29, 2009 3:38 PM
"Regarding the germans not letting you cut in line at the airport, I wonder why that is so in so many european countries. I find it rather offensive too. I would gladly let someone go in front of me so that they would not miss their flight. Europeans seem to be better educated on average than Americans. What makes them so inconsiderate? Am I prejudiced because I consider that aspect of their culture inferior?"
Unfortunatley there's not much information about who and what he (or you) asked.
One stereotype of Germans that has quite some truth to it is that being on time is considered a virtue... and on time means being reasonably early to account for predictable events that might hold you up. Also, if there are 10 people in front of you, then the first in line can't really speak for the other 9. Consequently, just wanting to get to the front will get you nowhere. If you however politely address the line and state that your plane was delayed and your connection will leave in 10 minutes then it shouldn't be a problem.
At least I can't say I ever ran into one and am sorry if you had bad experiences.
Posted by: Wildflower | June 29, 2009 3:40 PM
"Regarding the germans not letting you cut in line at the airport, I wonder why that is so in so many european countries. I find it rather offensive too. I would gladly let someone go in front of me so that they would not miss their flight. Europeans seem to be better educated on average than Americans. What makes them so inconsiderate? Am I prejudiced because I consider that aspect of their culture inferior?"
Unfortunatley there's not much information about who and what he (or you) asked.
One stereotype of Germans that has quite some truth to it is that being on time is considered a virtue... and on time means being reasonably early to account for predictable events that might hold you up. Also, if there are 10 people in front of you, then the first in line can't really speak for the other 9. Consequently, just wanting to get to the front will get you nowhere. If you however politely address the line and state that your plane was delayed and your connection will leave in 10 minutes then it shouldn't be a problem.
At least I can't say I ever ran into one and am sorry if you had bad experiences.
Posted by: Wildflower | June 29, 2009 3:42 PM
Sorry for the double post... and what Dutch Delight (#96) said.
Posted by: BlindRobin | June 29, 2009 3:50 PM
Erst kommt ein großes Fragezeichen
Posted by: 'Tis Himself, OM
|
June 29, 2009 3:50 PM
Another important phrase in German is the ever popular Mein Luftkissenfahrzeug ist voller Aale!
My hovercraft is full of eels!
Posted by: JBlilie | June 29, 2009 3:52 PM
I once heard a "cuss word" and/or insult competition amongst a group od diverse Europeans. The Germans came of rather poorly. Most of their explitives were on the order of: "pig-dog" and "you make me wiat for the bus!" The Italians took the prize with beauties like: "Your mother would be a whore if she weren't so ugly."
A friend was once standing in line at a bank in Nepal (slowwwwwww; we were there hiking) and a ruddy-faced European rushed in, huffing and puffing, moving up to the head of the line, tapping his foot, snorting in disgust at the line and wait; he cut to the very front of the line, where my friend was. Everyone was looking at him. My friend tapped him on the shoulder and asked, "you're German, aren't you?" He flushed bright red and went to the back of the line.
All this said, I have some great German friends, speak the language reasonably well, and love Bavaria, especially Franken (Franken along with Belgium, are the navel(s?) of the beer universe.)
Posted by: Qwerty | June 29, 2009 4:00 PM
Glad to see you're done doing the "Airport Polka." Enjoy your stay, but I won't encourage you to drink the beer, because I don't think you'll need any encouragement.
Posted by: hat | June 29, 2009 4:03 PM
Hi PJ,
Be sure to say hi to Sam H. while you're over there! Try the "spaghetti ice", too.
-Hat
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | June 29, 2009 4:57 PM
Two things.
a) Not everywhere in Germany swearing is equally acceptable. I don't know how things are in Lindau, but I strongly advise you not to do it.
b) Everyone in line is waiting for his or her flight and letting people pass will just knock everyone else back a notch in practice. People used to be more accommodating, but back then people also planned their trips better. I think the balance tipped when queuehoppers became common enough that letting them pass would put your own itinerary in peril. Now when something asks me, except in exceptional circumstances, I'm like ‘My own flight leaves in about ten minutes as well. If you want we can have a ten-minute debate about who has the right to catch his flight.’
Posted by: JJR | June 29, 2009 5:04 PM
I lived in Tuebingen for a year (1992-93), and during the winter break I traveled around Eastern Germany. I thoughtlessly used "Gruess Gott!" in Thueringen--didn't go over too well (blank stares).
I've heard the smart-ass response to Gruss Gott! is "Ja, wenn du Ihn siest..." (Yeah, if you see him).
A milder curse is "Mist!" or "So ein Mist!" -- roughly equivalent to saying "crap!" in English.
Posted by: Hendi | June 29, 2009 5:09 PM
Hey PZ,
stick to the Rothaus Pils and remember: No trip to the lovely "Bodensee" is done without taking a nude bath at night in the lake. ( I do it every year around this time but not this year due to high workload.)
When youre lucky, you might see some fireworks somewhere around at this time there (especially if you stay till weekend.)
Best regards,
Hendrik
(originally from the Saarland but living in Bavaria... in the almost-hassian northern part!)
Posted by: Pareidolius | June 29, 2009 5:22 PM
Uh, you're in Europe. They like a bit of musk . . . a lot of musk actually.
Posted by: Brownian, OM
|
June 29, 2009 5:38 PM
I've queue-hopped to make flights before, so I won't say much on that, except to note that if in a zig-zaggy line delineated by cordons in Alberta, the correct procedure when queue-hopping is not to step outside the cordons and head straight for the front of the line, but to follow the cordons as you zig-zag past every individual ahead of you, mumbling perfunctory apologies as you go. In an airport you'll most likely attract a few more queue-hoppers who'll fall neatly into place behind you, forming a most unattractive and arhythmic conga line. You'll hear a few complaints, but you'll be good as long as you don't spill anybody's double-double.
But while on the subject of airport annoyances, while I understand the frustration with the somewhat idiotic security regulations, can people please think ahead and not try to bring objects like gold-filigree hat pins, walrus-tusk spear points, or other items guaranteed to pop the noodle of the guy with the wand through as carry-on?
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 5:47 PM
Erm, yes, of course. Sorry. By "everywhere else" I meant "in every other German-speaking place".
Come ooooon. It just has to be done right.
Like everywhere else, that depends on the company.
Huh?
Posted by: Phodopus
|
June 29, 2009 5:52 PM
@Pareidolius #108
Of course all of Europe is the same culturally, but I'm not sure if the Europeans would approve of your opinion.
Posted by: Hank Fox | June 29, 2009 6:02 PM
PZ, if you have time, could you trot over to Magdeburg and pick me up some souvenir hemispheres?
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 6:03 PM
This just in: Internet Explorer 8 undoes the scrolling problems that the latest ScienceBorg software update introduced!
Posted by: MadScientist
|
June 29, 2009 6:14 PM
Ach, that reminds me why I'm not keen on visiting Germany even though some places are gorgeous. The Germans will follow their petty rules if it means they die. I find it maddening; a German friend of mine (well, German because her parents are) had recently visited the homeland and she described it as a "concentration camp". That coming from someone who's got her own long list of rules that annoy the hell out of me.
Posted by: RationalSkeptic | June 29, 2009 6:14 PM
Tell them, "Gott hängt zwischen meinen Beinen!"
This means, "God hangs between my legs!"
Great ice breaker, that.
Posted by: Sherry
|
June 29, 2009 6:22 PM
Ich liebe Deutchland!!
Here's all you need to know to start:
Eine bier (or wein) bitte
Nach eine bier (pr wein) bitte
Wo ist der toileten?
Put up your thumb for one beer. If you put up your forefinger you'll get two beers.
I learned Gasthaus Deutch in my three years at USAFE.
Meaning I could flirt and talk about the weather and food and ask directions. Saw "Monsters of Rock" there: Van Halen, AC/DC, Scorpions. Good times good times.
Have fun.
Posted by: Alan Kellogg | June 29, 2009 6:33 PM
Speaking of German Food
Seems a butcher fell ill and died unexpectedly. Just prior to this calamity he accepted a seabird in payment for a sausage. That's right, he took a tern for the wurst.
Posted by: Leander | June 29, 2009 6:46 PM
If anyone down there asks you about your profession, just tell them you're a "Muhhackl dreckada". Should give them a good idea of what you're about.
Posted by: Leander | June 29, 2009 6:48 PM
If anyone down there asks you about your profession, just tell them you're a "Muhhackl dreckada". Should give them a good idea of what you're about.
Posted by: Cath the Canberra Cook | June 29, 2009 7:07 PM
You're expected to just stand in line and miss your flight?? WTF? When I'm at any Australian airport and there's a long line, the check-in staff will announce "Anyone waiting for flight XYZ123 please come to the counter now." Works beautifully.
Also, I love weisswurst. NOM! It's my favourite German sausage. Leberkase, on the other hand, is vile.
Posted by: robhoofd | June 29, 2009 7:10 PM
"Ober, ein Bierlein bitte"
That's how they'll know you mean business.
Also, "sich abzapfen" means "to masturbate", while "abzapfen" by itself means "to draft (beer)".
Or was it the other way around?
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 7:11 PM
Everything else you mentioned will be understood, but is grammatically wrong, and drastically so. Let's just leave it at that. Oh, except if you say nach (with "ah") instead of noch (with roughly the American "aw" sound).
Won't be understood outside Bavaria proper, which Lindau isn't, and since the second part means "full of dirt", I suppose the whole thing is an insult.
(That's right. Even as an Austrian I don't understand the first part. And my dialect is much closer to Bavarian proper than Swabian is.)
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 29, 2009 7:19 PM
If the flight leaves in ten minutes, boarding was closed long ago, and the check-in for your flight even longer ago, so you're as doomed as if you had arrived two hours after takeoff. Happened to me in Beijing. (Got nauseatingly expensive.)
Nope. Sich is the reflexive pronoun, "3rd-person-self".
Flat-out impossible. Where did you get yours?
(And, no, even though its name means "liver cheese", there's neither liver nor cheese in it.)
And maybe, just maybe, the peculiar combination of Ober with -lein is actually used in Lindau. Could be. But I doubt it's used anywhere.
Posted by: gypsytag | June 29, 2009 7:24 PM
maybeyou could find out while you're there why all the roads are named einbahn. :-)
Posted by: robhoofd | June 29, 2009 7:35 PM
David Marjanović:
I am well aware of the things you point out. I am Dutch, know my (Eiffel) German, and love confusing foreigners about the alien, strict-sounding languages of abroad.
Also, "Bierlein" is simply a better word than "Bierchen". No contest, really.
Posted by: Wildflower | June 29, 2009 7:57 PM
@Cath
Urg, you can banish me with Weisswurst and coarsely ground Leberkaese. The fine one is alright though.
As for the plane: Well, when do they ask that? 10 minutes before the plane leaves or an hour?
Think about this way: If it takes an hour to check in all the passengers of the plane then the first person has to be there an hour early - and that's when they will have opened the counter. If the second person arrives 59 minutes early they already assumed that either a) someone else will have arrived a minute before or b) one person won't make it onto the plane. If you arrive 10 minutes before departure, then you're either a) assuming that 50 people will have waited just for your Holiness or b) you're accepting that, if everyone came at the 10 minutes mark just like you, 50 people won't make it onto the plane and that you might be one of those.
So the crux of it is: Under the assumption that the goal is getting everyone onto the plane, everyone will show up roughly an hour early... which makes the person thinking they can sleep in, line jump and abuse the politeness of the others the antisocial asshole and nobody will shed a tear if that one will miss the plane.
That also goes if you have intermediate stops and have to catch a connection. Like DutchDelight said: "You just have to plan your travels more carefully, like everyone else has to." Every good travel agency will tell you the expected delays.
Now, shit happens when the day is long so you might be late despite your best efforts (for instance due to a plane being delayed). Usually when you state the situation and ask politely people will then let you through so that you can still make it.
Posted by: Axel | June 29, 2009 8:14 PM
ROFL!!! these comments really saved my day...
It's like a 21 century Mark Twain on dope writing for the 'National Lampoon' ('Eighty Australian words meaning to vomit'...)
Learning German cuss words from 'Hogan's Heroes' might be a bit of an evolutionary disadvantage, but who knows... perhaps it will turn out to be the linguistic equivalent of the peacock's tail.
Perhaps it wasn't Bush's fault...it may have started out with this State Department blogger: 'Hey, folks, I have this meeting in Iraq. Does anybody of you happen to know how to say...'
Funny to see, though, how many of us Saarländers are here (and no, I won't advise PZ to have a 'Schwenkbraten' and a 'Karlsberg Ur-Pils', now that he's here...)
Posted by: MadScientist | June 29, 2009 8:27 PM
@Cath: Do you get your leberkase from Fyshwick or "Tutto Continental"?
Huh ... leberkase keine leber? I thought it had all the good bits - collagen from the tendons to make the gelatin, liver, cow tongue, etc. Maybe one day I'll be inspired to look at a recipe. On the other hand I prefer cow tongue cooked either to a Spanish or French recipe - neither of which my dietician approves of. I also wish I could find good old fashioned tripe which hadn't been bleached with swimming pool chemicals - why do ignorant people think that a smelly greenish stained piece of cow stomach must somehow be filthy? The bleached stuff hasn't got the right taste - if anything it's bitter from the sodium hypochlorite. Neutralizing the base with vinegar and subsequent removal of the chlorine by soaking in water results in a product with absolutely no taste.
Posted by: Turcano | June 29, 2009 8:50 PM
One of my German teacher's favorite phrases: Hau ab (informal singular/Haut ab (plural)/Hauen Sie ab (formal singular), which means "beat it."
Posted by: Peter McKellar | June 29, 2009 9:16 PM
NickCave @65
roflmao - man, you must get into a lot of bar fights. :) That's one I will remember with "Kölsch" = insert local beer of choice.
Allan @ 117
I wasn't sure whether to groan or chuckle. The chuckle won, but you still need a backpfeife for that pun.
Posted by: auntieintellectual | June 29, 2009 9:20 PM
Always remember, when drinking out of a glass boot, turn the toe to the side and not straight up.
Posted by: Otto | June 29, 2009 9:56 PM
Hendi @ 107,
why wait until night for a nude swim in the lake? Swimwear is optional in Germany unless things have changed during the last 8 years. Nude sunbathing in parks is also quite common, but get dressed when you leave. There may be local differences, it is would be safe to see what others do before dropping ones pants.
Fresh made warm leberkaese can be wonderful, it depends on who makes it. Weisswurst is made from calf meat and has a delicate flavor, it is worth trying. The fact that somebody hates some food does not mean it has to be bad.
Posted by: Kevin (nyc) | June 29, 2009 10:48 PM
DavidM you are the MAN! Herrn! I work for WestLB and I have to send this thread to a german friend of mine for updates
My contribution
blutiger Scheißekopf!
Posted by: Jadehawk, OM
|
June 30, 2009 12:11 AM
that means I've never seen it done right. Though the fact that it looks like a giant fried maggot is already somewhat off-putting.*
Huh?
Apparently Americans shower a minimum of twice a day and therefore everybody who doesn't (i.e. most everybody else) is icky and smelly. *shrug*
-----
*this is probably the part where I should confess that I'm as Prussian as a non-German can be, and therefore, as far as I'm concerned, the only good things that come from south of the Harz are Weissbier and Ski instructors :-p
Posted by: Jadehawk, OM
|
June 30, 2009 12:13 AM
bah. I should have previewed that. the first set worked... in the second one, the "huh?" was supposed to be quoted
Posted by: Maren | June 30, 2009 3:25 AM
I can't believe someone is actually recommending Tannenzäpfle Bier from the Rothaus Brauerei.
PZ, you can call those people Gelbfüssler (yellow feet), if you're still in need of rude words. That's a name for someone being from the former grand duchy Baden, and Rothaus is from Baden.
Posted by: ospalh | June 30, 2009 3:44 AM
Re #29 detrius: Yeah, I know. I'm in Swabia (near Stuagard) myself. But "Saupreuss" is easier to pronounce than "Heiligs Blechle!" or "Hemmel Herrgoddsagrament leck me am Arsch Scheißglômb verreggds". See this dictionary of Swabian swear words.
Posted by: reason
|
June 30, 2009 4:04 AM
I think PZ should stick to swearing in English. I know most people find it easier to swear in a foreign language (since their parents never told them not to), and that is also true of Germans. You hear "shit" almost as much as "Scheiße" here.
Posted by: Phodopus
|
June 30, 2009 4:22 AM
Hm interesting hypothesis... You'll also hear fuck quite often in Germany. I'm not sure if that is a loophole around ones anti-swearword upbringing, it might be. Even more so for americans I believe, where using bad words is imho still a little more stigmatized...
Posted by: FurrTheBear | June 30, 2009 5:23 AM
I've always found people who obsessively bathe to remove their human musk... and then just as obsessively replace it with some from an animal (or some other scent) to be completely incomprehensible.
Me, I like humans who smell like humans - though the fact that a great many perfumes contain something that makes my eyes itch and my sinuses burn probably has something to do with my aversion to the stuff.
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 30, 2009 5:30 AM
What? Such a thing exists?
<headshake>
Piefke...
Ur doin it rong. "Bloody" is a totally English-only swearword; it's a contraction of "by Our Lady". Simply doesn't work elsewhere.
Also, noun compounding is a high art in German. Any translation of "shithead", which isn't actually ever done as far as I'm aware, would be Scheißkopf, two syllables.
I personally use it when I'm angry at a situation, as opposed to just sad/desperate about it.
Posted by: Kim | June 30, 2009 5:56 AM
Bavaria is catholic, hope you know that ^^ (Guess you do, what with Ratzinger in Rome)
Posted by: R-Tam | June 30, 2009 6:00 AM
Raiko wrote:
"Zicke / Schlampe / Hure (bitch)"
I'd be very careful with those. Schlampe translates more to "slut" and Hure to "whore", so...
Oh, and no matter what "German" characters in American movies try to tell you, you do not use Fräulein. It's seen as patronizing and sexist.
Also, may I nominate "Das/Der/Die geht mir am Arsch vorbei"? Basically "That/He/She can kiss my ass/I don't give a shit about that/him/her"
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | June 30, 2009 9:10 AM
So much so that it's basically extinct. I don't ever hear it, except occasionally as a (rather boring) joke addressed to girls under the age of 12, and that's rare.
Posted by: detrius | June 30, 2009 9:27 AM
Old Bavaria is catholic.
Lindau however, being situated in Swabia instead of Old Bavaria (don't let the official borders fool you) and in immediate vicinity of Switzerland, is protestant.
Posted by: Maren | June 30, 2009 10:08 AM
Well, there also are some old, unmarried women (older than 70 years) in rural areas who insist to be called Fräulein. But there are less and less of them.Posted by: Jadehawk, OM
|
June 30, 2009 11:58 AM
actually I lied. I'd give my left kidney to get my hands on one of these
*drool*
Posted by: Kevin (NYC) | June 30, 2009 12:12 PM
what about Mädchen ? Its not a swear word but is it still in use, or supplanted by Kinder?
Posted by: Jadehawk, OM
|
June 30, 2009 12:26 PM
it's still in use for actual young girls; for women, it's WAY to condescending.
and how would the word for "children" replace the word for "girl"?
Posted by: Felix | June 30, 2009 12:37 PM
ooohhh yesss, germknödel.
Posted by: lastchancetosee | June 30, 2009 1:57 PM
Going back to rude words, you know what I like about my mothertongue? That many words, if sufficiently nonsensical, can be used as a synonym of 'idiot' if said the right way.
"Vollkoffer" and "Idealspaten" translate to "complete suitcase" and "ideal spade" respectively, but say them the way you'd say "Idiot!" and I guarantee you everyone will know what you mean.
Posted by: co | July 1, 2009 9:14 AM
Just by-the-by, "bloody" being a contraction of "By our Lady" is likely a made-up etymology.
Posted by: Markus-Mueller | October 31, 2009 6:08 PM
Irgend ne Ahnung wie sehr das verallgemeinerbar ist?
Posted by: Ichthyic
|
February 8, 2010 1:23 AM
wth?
is the same person sockpuppeting the same threads over and over again to post incomplete, incoherent gibberish?
are we being attacked by a bot?