German word of the day

Anything that doesn't fit into the other subforums of German news and information
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Franklan
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Re: German word of the day

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"Schlappe"

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Re: German word of the day

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"Pferdeboxen"

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Re: German word of the day

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"Unterhose"

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Re: German word of the day

Post by bethannbitt »

On our way back down south and we have just passed the exit toward Dingolfing. Amazing how the brain works. I must always remind myself that this is not referring to a type of golfing 🏌️‍♀️ that uses some contraption called a „din“. :lol:
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Re: German word of the day

Post by tor »

ok, here is a German phrase of the day..... an I am looking for a suitable translation....

What do kids say in English that comes close to

Kreuzbirnbaumundhollerstauden!

I am thinking about something like

Fiddlesticks and biscuits

but if there is a real phrase, that would be great,

Thanks!
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Re: German word of the day

Post by bethannbitt »

Isn't this Kind of old fashioned and used more by adults than kids, and sorta like saying "Jiminy Crickets!" (instead of JC)?
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Re: German word of the day

Post by tor »

sorry, it's for a children's book and that is what the girl says.
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Re: German word of the day

Post by bethannbitt »

Perhaps this minced oath, since it's a tongue twister:
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Re: German word of the day

Post by tor »

things like

Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!
Banana shenanigans!
Cheese and rice!
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Re: German word of the day

Post by Franklan »

tor wrote: Sun Jul 19, 2026 6:22 pm Kreuzbirnbaumundhollerstauden!
Thanks!
That is what is called a minced oath in English.

It is a little bit like a girl starting to swear with "Holy..." (And the adults take a deep breath expecting blasphemy like "... Christ" or "... mother") but then the girl wiggles out of that by saying "... moly".

* The noun "Kreuz" means "Cross", a very religious symbol, and any swearing starting with the word "Kreuz" could be seen as blasphemy.
* The verb "kreuzen" means "to crossbread" and the shortened form " kreuz' " is the imperative of "to crossbread".

So, the girl starts to swear by saying "Cross..." and then wiggles out of that by saying "...bread pear tree and elder bush!"

One needs to find a phrase that starts with sounding like blasphemy but then unexpectedly turns into something funny and non-blasphemic.
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Re: German word of the day

Post by tor »

yes...

I thought about Jesus Mary and Joseph.

but that didnt quite seem to fit.
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Re: German word of the day

Post by Franklan »

tor wrote: Sun Jul 19, 2026 8:35 pm yes...

I thought about Jesus Mary and Joseph.

but that didnt quite seem to fit.
Sack cement and shovel!
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