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Author Topic: Funny German Words  (Read 2250 times)

Offline Fleur-de-Lys

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Funny German Words
« on: January 24, 2019, 11:34:23 PM »
There are so many! Here are some of my favorites:

I especially like the ones with  -wagen: Krankenwagen, Einkaufswagen, Lastwagen...

Stinktier

Eisbär

Bustenhalter

Krankenschwester
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Offline Vetus Ordo

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2019, 05:43:21 PM »
Doppelgänger.
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Offline aquinas138

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2019, 08:04:03 PM »
Schlangenwörter
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Offline Fleur-de-Lys

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2020, 06:00:22 PM »
Zuckerkrank  - diabetic, literally sugar-sick

The terms der Diabetiker and diabetisch  also exist, but the native Germanic compounds are always more fun than the Latinate equivalents.
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Offline Vetus Ordo

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2020, 06:05:51 PM »
Kopfkino (head cinema)

The word Kopfkino refers to mentally playing out an entire scene in your mind, as if in a movie theater.
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Offline Fleur-de-Lys

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2020, 06:18:25 PM »
Quote from: Fleur-de-Lys on January 24, 2019, 11:34:23 PM
There are so many! Here are some of my favorites:

I especially like the ones with  -wagen: Krankenwagen, Einkaufswagen, Lastwagen...

Stinktier

Eisbär

Bustenhalter

Krankenschwester

I should have provided translations for these:

-wagen: -wagon

Krankenwagen   - ambulance, literally, sick-wagon

Einkaufswagen   - shopping cart

Lastwagen  - truck (but it looks and sounds like lust-wagon )

Stinktier  - skunk, literally, stink-beast

Eisbär  - polar bear, literally, ice-bear

Büstenhalter  - bra, literally, bust-holder

Krankenschwester   - nurse, literally, sick-sister
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Offline Fleur-de-Lys

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2020, 06:24:43 PM »
Quote from: Fleur-de-Lys on March 18, 2020, 06:18:25 PM
Lastwagen  - truck (but it looks and sounds like lust-wagon )

Apparently the word Lustwagen  also exists and aptly means pleasure car.   :D
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Offline Vetus Ordo

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2020, 06:43:33 PM »
Quote from: Fleur-de-Lys on March 18, 2020, 06:24:43 PM
Quote from: Fleur-de-Lys on March 18, 2020, 06:18:25 PM
Lastwagen  - truck (but it looks and sounds like lust-wagon )

Apparently the word Lustwagen  also exists and aptly means pleasure car.   :D

This is the best picture I could find of a Lustwagen:

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Offline Vetus Ordo

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2020, 02:15:39 PM »
Erklärungsnot (explanation poverty)

Erklärungsnot describes the state you might find yourself in when no excuse will get you out of the trouble you're in. No sufficient explanation for failing to do the grocery shopping you told your wife you'd do for her? That’s Erklärungsnot.

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Offline Heinrich

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2020, 10:14:12 AM »
Quote from: Vetus Ordo on March 20, 2020, 02:15:39 PM
Erklärungsnot (explanation poverty)

Erklärungsnot describes the state you might find yourself in when no excuse will get you out of the trouble you're in. No sufficient explanation for failing to do the grocery shopping you told your wife you'd do for her? That’s Erklärungsnot.

die Erklärungsnot
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Offline red solo cup

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2020, 09:22:31 PM »
Kummerspeck = grief bacon. To gain weight from stress eating.
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Offline Heinrich

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2020, 08:59:30 AM »
Quote from: red solo cup on April 07, 2020, 09:22:31 PM
Kummerspeck = grief bacon. To gain weight from stress eating.

DER Kummerspeck.
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Lex Orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.
"Die Welt sucht nach Ehre, Ansehen, Reichtum, Vergnügen; die Heiligen aber suchen Demütigung, Verachtung, Armut, Abtötung und Buße." --Ausschnitt von der Geschichte des Lebens St. Bennos.
 

Offline Jayne

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2020, 09:57:04 AM »
A while ago, I signed up for a German word of the day email service.  Today's word is

Verstopfung haben: to be constipated

(I have barely learned any German yet, but it is already enough that I appreciate how Heinrich supplies the article when people omit it.  I have been making flashcards of the words I receive and always include the articles.)
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Offline Heinrich

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2020, 02:50:17 PM »
In that veign:

durch = through(preposition + accusative)
fallen = to fall(intransitive verb)

der Durchfall = diarrhoea
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Lex Orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.
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Offline aquinas138

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Re: Funny German Words
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2020, 07:15:56 PM »
Quote from: Heinrich on April 08, 2020, 02:50:17 PM
In that veign:

durch = through(preposition + accusative)
fallen = to fall(intransitive verb)

der Durchfall = diarrhoea

Which is fairly etymological; "diarrhoea" is comprised of the Greek words for "through" and "flow."
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