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 This week's Word of the Week is an example of a rather technical term that kept its original meaning in the adoptive language. Szuflada is the Polish version of Schublade (drawer) - sz in Polish is pronounced "sh", just like the German Sch. The ad above is for a poetry competition.
The picture is from www.aktualnekonkursy.pl.
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Another word from English this week - I just couldn't resist it. Rumspringa (also spelled Rumschpringe or Rumshpringa) comes from (he)rumspringen (to jump/run around, also in the sense of being free of somebody's control). It describes a formative period during the adolescence of the Amish People, during which some of them leave the community to encounter life "outside" and indulge in otherwise forbidden activities. (According to amishamerica.com, however, one of the major goals of this period is to find a suitable marriage partner.)
The picture is from www.goodreads.com. 
My friend and colleague Gavin Bruce reminded me of this gem the other day. The English word foosball (synonyms: table football/soccer) derives from the German Fußball, which, unsurprisingly, also means soccer/football. However, in a strange twist, the game of foosball is not called Fußball in German, unless you count in Tischfußball (table soccer). We usually call it Kickern instead, a word related to kicken, which originally came from the English language!
The picture is from www.worldtablesocceralmanac.com. 
In German, a Feinschmecker is a gourmet. The Danes, however, use this word in a much wider context, as you can see above. In Denmark, you can be a feinschmecker in many different areas other than food, provided you have a discerning taste and a keen eye for luxury.
The picture is from www.reeslevdesign.com. |
AboutThis is a blog about the traces German (my mother tongue) has left in other languages. Contributions from your language(s) are more than welcome! Mail me at [email protected]. Archives
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