March 17, 2004

Fun With Deutsch.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim @ 9:20 pm

I like certain German words, sometimes because they are really literal, and other times because they sound, well, funny.

Bagpipe (In honor of St. Pat’s) = Der Dudelsack

Bra = Der Buestenhalter (One wonders why “bra” is masculine [“der”])

Vacuum cleaner = Der Staubsauger (dust sucker – bingo!)

Chewing gum = Der Kaugummi (makes one not want to chew it)

Pork = Das Schweinefleisch (pig meat – Yep, that says it.)

Airplane = Das Flugzeug (flight thing)

Cigarette lighter = Das Feuerzeug (fire thing)

Drum = Das Schlagzeug (beat thing)

Sometimes they fool around the names of people and television programs:

Laurel and Hardy = Dick und Doff (Fat and Stupid)

The Marlo Thomas Television Show, called “That Girl” = “Suess Aber Ein Bisschen Verrueckt” (Sweet but a Little Crazy)

Das ist alles.

Not to worry. There will not be a quiz. We’ll have beer instead.

9 Comments »

  1. I think Dudelsack could be a replacement term for “stindeens.”

    Ain’t that a kick in the Dudelsack?

    I like it.

    Comment by mtpolitics — March 17, 2004 @ 11:41 pm

  2. OK I give. What/who are “stindeens?”

    This isn’t classified information is it?

    Comment by Randy — March 18, 2004 @ 6:24 pm

  3. Well, let just say that, for guys, a kick in the stindeens can ruin your day.

    Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — March 19, 2004 @ 2:51 am

  4. I always loved the literal meanings of German words that have creeped into English usage:

    Volkswagen = “people’s car”

    Kindergarten = “child garden”

    Schwarzenegger = “Governor of California”

    Comment by TL Hines — March 19, 2004 @ 9:32 am

  5. You forgot a really good one:

    Pen = Gugelschreiber

    Nothing like trading one syllable for four!

    Comment by Adam — March 20, 2004 @ 5:10 pm

  6. Adam —

    Actually, it is Kugelschreiber (ball writer)

    Same number of syllables, though. 🙂

    Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — March 20, 2004 @ 6:31 pm

  7. Isn’t it Googleschreiber? Man schreib einen e-mail Brief mit seinem Googleschreiber, nicht wahr?

    Comment by mike cline — August 15, 2004 @ 12:21 pm

  8. Adam hat aber Recht. Irgend wann soll Googelschreiber verdeutscht werden und die neue Rechtschreibungsweise wird natürlich Gugelschreiber heißen.

    Comment by mike cline — August 15, 2004 @ 12:36 pm

  9. Jenau, ihr hapt ja alle so suupa recht, weider soh!

    Comment by Mich Gibtsnicht — September 1, 2005 @ 2:50 am

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