My latest experiences call for interrupting the steady flow of Germanisms in American English in this column and for replacing at least today’s attempt at exploring a term with exploring hotels. Specifically, mattresses. And trust me, I’m not trying to sell you a particular brand. I’d just like to share with you on what thoughts […]
Across the Fence
Across the Fence: Ansatz
There is another Germanism in the English language that I didn’t know about. It is the term “Ansatz” (pronounce: ‘un-zuts), which means approach. It refers to very different processes, as a matter of fact, but always means that it is the beginning of a bigger picture. Basically, it’s the seed of an idea. The field […]
Across the Fence: Liedermacher
I had no idea that the German term for singer-songwriter has made it into the English language. A liedermacher (pronounce approximately: ‘leader-ma-her) is basically a song maker, thus the literal meaning. The word only came up after WW II, notably introduced by German musician Wolf Biermann. Being of a more conservative family background, I wasn’t […]
Across the Fence: Hügelgrab
Today, the Germanism I have chosen will lead us into the Neolithic Age – and what we are still able to find, interestingly all over the world: the burial sites that are falling into the category Hügelgrab (pronounce approximately: ‘hoo-gal-grahb, meaning mound grave). They are gravesites built from rocks, then covered with smaller stones and […]
Across the Fence: Kutte
The first thing that came to my mind when I came across the Germanism “Kutte” (pronounce: ‘koote with a short “o”) in the English language was the traditional garment of a monk. A cloak with a hood and a rope-like belt; the fabric coarse and simple, the color black, gray, brown, or white. Think of […]
Across the Fence: Muesli
Muesli – I grew up on this dish for breakfast that is another Germanism in the English language. My mother changed it up with jam sandwiches for us kids (no peanut butter, mind!). The Swiss term Müesli or German Müsli (pronounced fairly similar as you know it) entered my vocabulary only fairly late. We used […]
In the Book Nook with … Michael Engelhard
Author Michael Engelhard lives in a cabin on the outskirts of Fairbanks, Alaska, among porcupines, moose, and lynxes. This freelance writer used to be a wilderness guide and outdoor instructor in Alaska and the canyon country for 25 years. He has been writing for publication since the late 1990s; his first book was published in […]
Across the Fence: Gesamtkunstwerk
You may have never come across this Germanism in the English language (I know I haven’t), but apparently it is one. Don’t be daunted by the length of the term nor by four consonants in a row. Gesamtkunstwerk is simply a composite of the three words “gesamt” (pronounce: ga’zumpt, meaning overall, cumulative), “Kunst” (pronounce: koonst, […]
Across the Fence: Erlaubt and Verboten
Because opposites attract, I thought I’d ponder two Germanism in the American/English language that you might have come across over here: erlaubt (pronounce: er-‘loupt, meaning permitted) and verboten (pronounced: ver-‘boh’ten, meaning prohibited). It’s what every German grows up with. Only, I cannot remember any “Erlaubt” signs anywhere. Maybe because once there is no “Verboten” sign, […]