Real-life phrases in use
It's all very well learning idioms from a book, but there is the danger that the book is out of date, or that the author has included examples from obscure sources, which no one really uses in modern-day speech. Below are a few examples I have heard people using since I have been in Germany this past week or so, and have asked them to clarify exactly what they mean. You can decide for yourself how relevant you find them - whether or not you will actually use them! - but I hope you find the word-origins interesting at least.
Image source: Javardh via Unsplash.com
Querbeet
Pronounced /kvair-beht/ "querbeet" is an adverb that is used to describe doing something in a random, unsystematic, or haphazard manner, often implying a mix or variety of things without a specific order or plan. It can be translated to "randomly," "haphazardly," or "all over the place" in English.
The component parts of the word:
Quer (adverb) = across, cross-wise (as opposed to long-wise)
das Beet = flowerbed, patch
· Er hat querbeet durch den Garten gepflanzt, ohne einen bestimmten Plan zu haben.
He planted all over the garden without any specific plan.
· Sie liest querbeet alle Bücher, die sie interessant findet, egal um welches Genre es sich handelt.
She reads books randomly that she finds interesting, regardless of the genre.
Image source: Elimende Inagella via Unsplash.com
Visematenten
The German word "Visematenten", also spelled "Fisematenten", is an intriguing and somewhat obscure term that has been part of the German language for centuries. I’ve consistently put it in the plural form in this blog-post, as this is how it is most likely to be used. Just drop the final –n for the singular form.
Meaning and Usage
"Visematenten" generally refers to unnecessary fuss or excuses, often in the sense of making a big deal out of something trivial or coming up with flimsy excuses to avoid doing something.
Origin of Visematenten
There are a couple of different theories as to how and where the term appeared, but the most popular one suggests that the term originates from the French phrase "visite ma tente" (meaning "visit my tent"). During the Napoleonic Wars, French soldiers are said to have used this phrase to invite German women to their tents, implying something dubious or improper.
Over time, the phrase was assimilated into the German language, evolving into "Visematente" and coming to represent any form of dubious activity or the making of unnecessary excuses. It has been integrated into everyday German speech, often used in a somewhat humorous or light-hearted manner to call out unnecessary complications or excuses.
Today, "Visematenten" is primarily used in colloquial speech to describe behaviour that is seen as over-complicated or evasive. It retains a slightly old-fashioned charm and is mainly used by older generations.
The word in use:
Mach doch keine Visematenten und komm einfach mit!
Stop making a fuss and just come along!
Meine Mutter hat immer gesagt, ich soll keine Visematenten machen, wenn ich meine Hausaufgaben nicht machen will.
My mother always told me not to make excuses when I didn't want to do my homework.
Von Pontius zu Pilatus
"Von Pontius zu Pilatus" is a German idiom that translates to "from Pontius to Pilate" in English. It refers to being sent hither and thither, from pillar to post, or from one person to another without getting any resolution, often resulting in frustration. The phrase originates from the biblical account of Jesus being sent back and forth between the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and King Herod.
Example Sentences:
· Ich musste wegen meiner Beschwerde von Pontius zu Pilatus laufen, aber niemand konnte mir helfen.
I had to run from pillar to post with my complaint, but no one could help me.
· Wenn es um Bürokratie geht, fühlt man sich oft wie von Pontius zu Pilatus geschickt.
When it comes to bureaucracy, you often feel like you're being sent from one official to another without any progress.
Image source: Henley Design Studio via Unsplash.com
Zuckerschnute
Zucker we know means “sugar” and Schnute is a north-German dialect word meaning “snout". It describes someone who loves cakes, biscuits, anything sweet, equivalent to the English “to have a sweet tooth." It can also be used affectionately as a term of endearment, similar to calling someone "sweetie."
· Er ist eine echte Zuckerschnute und liebt alles, was süß ist.
He has a real sweet tooth and loves everything that is sweet.
· Meine kleine Zuckerschnute kann einfach nicht genug von Schokolade bekommen.
My little sweetie just can't get enough of chocolate.
This one is ambiguous: you could be talking about your little darling – someone else – who has a sweet tooth, or you could be using the word metonymously – referring to your own sweet tooth to represent yourself.
NB
The word Schnute is used because it sounds pleasingly like Zucker. The standard German word for snout would be Schnauze, which also means a dog’s muzzle, and is used colloquially to refer to a person’s mouth (gob!).
Schnauze also crops up in colloquial expressions:
Ich habe die Schnauze voll von den Lügen!
I’ve had it up to here with all the lies (Lit: My gob is full…)
Andrew Wenger, SameSky Languages
We are currently enjoying the summer break, but classes start up again in early September. There are places in the lower-intermediate and upper-intermediate German groups, and I would love to start up an advanced class as well. Please contact me here if you would like to find out more about joining a group. Our German classes have been mostly online until now, but if there is sufficient demand in the Reading/Twyford/West Berks area, then we can look into an in-person option as well...
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