Are German nipples the worst?

[Crackerofdoom]

I just learned the word for nipples in German is Brustwarzen

The literal translation is "breast warts"

Is this the worst direct translation or are there more out there?

There is a funny passage in “Die Vermessung der Welt” (good book!) where Alexander von Humboldt talks about one of the most beautiful poems, Wanderers Nachtlied by Goethe. Totally lost in translation: somebody is alone in the forest, and we all die.

Actually - Seniorenhandys!

Spanish for umbrella is "paraguas". Literally translates as "for water".

The Italian for bee is ape

Unsurprisingly, it's very close the Latin apis - apis mellifera being honey bearing bee.

Languages fascinate me, I did a module on the origin of languages at university but I've forgotten most of it now.

tbh it's probably not for English native speakers to decide whether someone from another country whose language isn't English should or shouldn't be offended by these comments

No, it's not but hasn't this thread been more of a discussion of the languages and origin of words? I hope it hasn't offended anybody as it's been fascinating

I remember seeing a jar of sausages in Spain once that were called Knackers

Someone mentioned Eichhörnchen further up the thread. That's a squirrel. Very difficult to pronounce. My German son-in-law struggles with pronouncing it in English. And what about the French écureuil? Must be something about squirrels.

I'm learning German and loving their literal words. Some of my favourites are
Haustier -house animal -pet
Untertasse - under cup - saucer
Kühlschrank -cool cupboard - fridge

French for bat 🦇 is chauve-souris Translates literally as 'shaved mouse'

I love literal translations!

In Finnish stomach is 'belly-bag' which is adorable
One I can't quite figure out is cape gooseberries are 'pineapple-cherries', why??

A collection of honey bee hives is an Apiary - more Latin in the English language

There are also quite a few English words used in German - quite often far from what would be used here

Public Viewing - Watching football with lots of other people, usually when there are Euros or Worlds going on, in beer gardens or bars

Body Bag - A Bag worn across the Body

(doing) Home Office - Work from Home; no matter how many times I explain what the correct term is, my family won't listen

English is a fascinating and diverse language with many synonyms with Latin amd Germanic roots — hence with a rich English vocabulary will find learning foreign languages easier — part of the cultural capital divide.

Plus, of course, the more languages you learn, the easier it becomes due to the many links between them. (Well, the European ones, at least)

Spanish for umbrella is "paraguas". Literally translates as "for water".

Just like parasol is for sun.

Spanish for umbrella is "paraguas". Literally translates as "for water"

Nearly. 'Para' comes from the Latin 'to shield against' (e.g. the English word 'parry' to deflect a sword or blow) so it means 'shield against water.' The same in French - 'Parapluie'' = 'against rain' i.e. umbrella and 'Parasol' = 'against sun'

Parabrisas = against breezes = windscreen

Knackers or Kanckwurst is a type of sausage that 'knacks' when you bite through the skin (when it is fresh, of course) - i think it might be a brand, too.

Home office is no longer seen as English.
Heimbüro sounds ridiculous and can mean the place I do family admin and "von Zuhause aus arbeiten" is too long.
"home office" - I work in my home for my firm for money with equipment given to my by my firm

I love this whole thread, now time to start learning German during the lockdown.

Also, hadn't seen this literal translation before, it sounds more sympathetic: @thevanguardsix
We use Schadenfreude in English but it is literally 'damaged happiness'.

One of my fav non-English works is the Swedish word for spatula. It's stekspede but is pronounced something like slicky-pot (or that's how it sounds to my ears), I adore it.

What did Rossetti say? I had a quick scroll back over the last few pages and didn’t find anything too bad.

@CandyLeBonBon

I really have no idea ? Which irritates me. If I've insulted someone, I want to know how, so I can save it up and do it again deliberately next time, rather than accidentally this time.

There must be a German word for that situation ? Accidentally insulting someone whose reaction makes you wish you'd done it deliberately And if not, I'm sure we can make one ...

I am loving this thread, especially loving all the German (which I am dredging up from my uni first year)

My contribution is the welsh word for self-isolation- hunanynysu- making yourself an island.

@Peregrina

No, if I were out and about and the occasion arises (like encountering a person on a bike in the dark without light on a way reserved for pedestrians who nearly razors down my kid) - "Du Arschloch" would come out without engaging my brain.

If on the other hand the person stopped and started to berate me, then "Sie Arschloch" could happen. The "Sie" indicating social distance and Arschloch as a considered opinion.

Someone mentioned Eichhörnchen further up the thread. That's a squirrel. Very difficult to pronounce. My German son-in-law struggles with pronouncing it in English. And what about the French écureuil? Must be something about squirrels.

Acorn eaters? Makes perfect sense to me.

Eichhörnchen is not difficult to pronounce.

I like the German compound words and their logicality:
Arzt - Doctor
ZahnArzt - tooth doctor
TierArzt - animal doctor

@PenOrPencil

I love the film of that book (and Florian what his name who plays Gauss).

Bet the book is great (but only available in German?)

I am studying Von Humboldt’s trek to Chimborazo now.

When we were on honeymoon in Spain, in April (off season ) the hotel we stayed at was host to Spanish senior citizens who are given a holiday on the state in off season to help keep hotels open. (Or used to be).

Universally referred to by the locals as pensionistas which tickled me for some reason.

Mushy peas on the menu will cause raised eyebrows in Germans!