Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Home
QUAINT IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS by A. Monroe Aurand, Jr, Aurand Press. 1939 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ON MAKING OURSELVES UNDERSTOOD ! By A Pennsylvania "Dutchrnan." Throughout the length and breadth of the United States, there are many likely places where the scholar, student and researcher, or mere visitor, can unpack his bags and go to work on most anything that appeals to his fancy. The Yankee furnishes a field for research in many different ways, not excluding his everyday use of the English-American language. The South, West, the mid-West; the mountain sections of the Appalachian range, all have outstanding phrases and expressions that are frowned on by the scholars and pedagogues. These are just a few general sections at large where we find the language to be "different from what she's taught." In a "swing around the circle" of New England one can hear English words used, not in conformity with the pronunciations given in Webster's, or any other dictionary. Also we can travel throughout the State of Pennsylvania and meet in country and town as well, many persons, who, in expressing themselves in the ordinary English conversation, will use many odd words not in an English or "American" dictionary, and scarcely in one of "dialect" words, or even of "slang." Of all the sections of the country, none would seem to come in for a greater share, nor even less picturesqueness, than the Pennsylvania-German, or the "Dutch," by which term they are even better known. Of course students and scholars are quite familiar with "The American Language; An Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States," by H. L. Mencken. It is a monumental work, by that monumental man from the Monumental City. It is an essential part of any library dealing with the language as spoken in various parts of the country- which means the whole country. While it may be a novelty to hear Pennsylvania- Germans speak in the "dialect," it is no less entertaining to hear, shall we say, two such women, who might perchance be gossips, speaking in their rural English, occasionally including one, or perhaps several of those odd words that seemingly have no orthodox origin. Surely some of these, when used in conversation in a community where they are understood, find their usage justified - especially when to all intents and purposes they express so much better than English or German, what the speakers have in mind. ORIGIN OF THE PENNA.-GERMAN DIALECT The Pennsylvania-Germans have a language of their own. It may sound odd to some who have had the notion that it is but a poor patois that these people. employ. Well, hardly. The "dialect" spoken antedates the High German of Martin Luther's day and arrangement. It was the latter who gave the "High" German language definite standing in literature and in commerce. Even before Luther the people of South Germany had a dialect which had then been in local use for many generations. It was in the country bordering on the Rhine from Switzerland to Coblentz that the early emigrees originated, landing eventually in America. That these people should cling to the dialect is not strange. Peoples of all, or most races, cling to their lore and customs, and while the Pennsylvania-Germans use English with ease, they find themselves often reverting to their mother tongue. Mother tongue is rather general in this sense, for among the Pennsylvania-Germans we have a large number of Swiss Mennonites, whose early origins are perhaps in some doubt, and French Huguenots, who are as much at home in the employment of dialect German, as those generally identified as the more or less pure Germans who came here before the Revolution and who helped a great deal to make this country the home of the free-we hope-for all time. In passing, it may be said with interest to the reader, that of practically all Europeans who came to settle in America in the early days, the Germans alone had no governmental support or backing in colonizing. Had German authorities given their emigrees some real encouragement in the establishment of communities and enterprise, reporting to Germany, there would have been a different story to American history. As it developed, a Pennsylvania-Gerrnan's vote decided the official language in his state should be English! Early German stock and its off-spring far and wide in America have been one of our greatest sustaining influences. SMALL VOCABULARY IN RURAL SECTIONS The range of vocabulary among the rural folk is necessarily small, but they can borrow readily from English or dialect when using one or the other. Occasionally then, a word from a third, and obscure source comes into the picture, and we smile when we hear it (or them). Naturally most of the expressive words we hear used by the "Dutch" are those which have come down to us from an earlier day in Germany; some of them are from English origins; some from the French; some may even be borrowed from Scotch and Irish sources. Whether good or bad form, is of little moment to the users; language was developed for the purpose of expressing ideas by the spoken word, and for the convenience of passing the time. In the manner of the Pennsylvania-German who tries to pronounce every letter in the written word, (contrasting with the Yankee and English custom of pronouncing only parts of words, or adding the "H" where it doesn't belong), and the handicap occasionally of applying the rules, or even understanding what other words mean, we find then some of the real idioms in the American language. Poor English when spoken by one who had at least some education on the subject is not so easily for- given, as compared with the natural handicap of these rural folk who really never cared or wanted to express their thoughts and ideas in a language that was not in harmony with their own through their ancestry. Not that there is now a "war" between the lan- guages, merely that choice of languages comes along the lines of the least resistance. But in more than a few cases there are instances of a "war" of the languages in Pennsylvania. We can site instances where church authorities decreed that in the church services German only dared be used; but English, never. They reckoned not on the toll of time, and English came all too soon to be the language of the church. Presumably the church leaders had in mind that they were German in origin, and having always had a German Bible as far back as they could remember, they felt that religion would lose its savor, and not be as pleasing to the Almighty if conducted in any but the language of their fathers. LANGUAGE A RICH HERITAGE Language comes to us somewhat as a birthright, and there is little that is sweeter to the ear than words we learned at a mother's knee, or seated on the laps of grandma, or grandpa. These words may be corrupt in the sight of the pedagogues, but they are not vulgar, therefore they will continue to crop out here and there over a considerable territory for a long time to come. Even if some of the words coming into more or less frequent use should be considered vulgar, it is quite possible they have been borrowed from English dictionaries, or other sources direct, for in our younger days we occasionally enjoyed pouring over the real English dictionaries for words we could not find in Americanized dictionaries. We must confess this is the main source of our knowledge of four-letter words which, in ordinary conversation, now have a stamp of "vulgarisms." The manufacture and use of finer and nobler terms for expressing one's needs or urgings while in polite society has caused many anxious moments to men and women who could scarcely "stand it any longer." PRONUNCIATIONS ARE "MUSICAL" A "Dutchman," as we hear him termed so often, will give quite an exhibition if left to his own rnood when he says: Bed, dead, fed, head, led, lead, ned, read, said, wed. Deaf, Jeff, left, Neff, beg, beggar, egg, leg. When men sell ten pens for a cent, begging can be expected next. Deaf Ben said he was led to a wedding. He fell on the ice and hurt his eyes' He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth. To obtain greater enjoyment of the range of the dialect, or the English used by the Pennsylvania-Germans, it is necessary to use some of the letters of the alphabet as, for instance "v". Here we find that these people almost without exception, (unless they have received hard training in the higher institutions), say walley for valley; wollum for volume, etc. This causes no end of amusement among the people who do not stop to think that a "v" isn't always a "vi" It is sometimes quite amusing to hear English students try to pronounce "v" ("we") in the Latin manner. Troubles start early in life among our people with short E; long U; short O; B and P; D and T; G and K; Ch; G soft, and J; S; Th; V and W; Wh; X. These troubles, it may be pointed out, are more from carelessness than otherwise, since these sounds are as common in German as in English. But don't forget that any "mother tongue" may be hard to forget. Anyone who has heard a real, rural dialect-spoken "Dutchman" in conversation, knows how curious it sounds to hear these hard-to-pronounce-right sentences: Chief justice Chase's child chews juicy cherries. Jews choose to chew juice. Jerusalem, my chief joy. The chair was jeered and cheered. It is a job to chop Jane's chain. Words starting with "ch" should not be sounded like "j" or "g," but when they are they are "musical" indeed. Likewise gem sounds like chem, gill like chill, general like cheneral! Jennie, Jerry, George, James, John, all sound rich-to the outsider-but to the German as common-place as the absence of "h", or its uncalled-for presence in words used by the English. Few of us can use the following "th" without betraying our mother tongue: I thought I sought the thick sick man in the South. The souse of the south is so thick, that the sick man thought it was thicker than thistles. The strife ceaseth, peace approacheth, and he rejoiceth. Demosthenes practiceth callisthenics. Try the following "v" and "w," and see how we "Dutch" pronounce them: Virgie wants to visit Wilkes-Barre once. Victor Wood would vote for a winter vacation. We were very well aware that the wag was void of wisdom. -and here we can "exercise" on "wh:" The Prince of Wales caught whales. He whets his whetstone with wine, and whines when he cuts the vines. What whim led White Whitney to whittle, whistle, whisper and whimper near the wharf, where a whale wheeled and whirled? Whately, Whittier and Whitefield were never at Wheeling. WORDS THAT TRULY EXPRESS IDEAS It is not our thought that the words we are about to bring to your attention should find their use in the language of today, or tomorrow; these are words of the past, and we daresay of the present, in many localities. The words have been collected and presented phonetically, thereby reaching the larger number of persons who will understand, having heard many of them at some time or other. We have purposely avoided use of many of the proverbs and sayings of the Pennsylvania-Germans, which, taken together, would fill several volumes; nor did we touch on the superstitions of these people. We believe, that for the type of publication thus made available, that we have done our part. in presenting a brief catalog of the more or less "Quaint Idioms and Expressions of the Pennsylvania-Germans." Naturally this does not presume to be in any wise a complete compilation of the sort; but it "makes for a beginning," as you can hear almost anywhere in Pennsylvania. The author has always been proud of his Pennsylvania-German-Huguenot extraction, and that he was born in a county where "Dutch" was spoken almost everywhere. On going to school in a city where the teachers could scarcely pronounce the "v" like "w," "yours truly" was sent to the foot of the class every time the "v" came out "w." Thanks to a persevering teacher in the lower grades this shibboleth of our people has been overcome by the writer, and we can now often hear people speak lightly of us, without their knowledge that "we, too," are of the "Dutch" -thus we can appraise them at their true value. Heard in California! Here is a news-item which we believe will be of interest to the reader. It did not originate in Pennsylvania, but it has all the earmarks of being related to expressions in this State: "Two Sows and Pigs" Meant 2000 Pigs! Ventura, Calif.-By telephone from the Sheriff Deputy Grand Frazer received what he thought was an order to buy 2000 pigs for the county farm. All day he drove from farm to farm, but succeeded in bargaining for only 120 pigs. Apologetically he reported to Sheriff Bill Durley. "How many pigs did you say?" the sheriff gasped. "Two thousand." "Man," the sheriff shouted, "I wanted two sows and pigs." Heard in Somerset County, Penna. Chonnie; the pick (pig) is out. Quick ve must chase him to da pen pack. You run down dis site of da fence, und I run down da odder. Da pick, he comes pack up, meppe (perhaps) bose sites of da fence. Heard in Berks County In this well-known county the teacher asked little Joe to spell the word "thumb." He spelled it thus: "s-u-m." "Wrong; you spell it, Mary." "S-o-m-e," she spelled slowly, thinking she had to have it right. "Wrong again; you spell it Jacob." Jacob was one of the real little Dutch boys, who hailed from back along the ridge, not far from the teacher's home. So Jacob spells it: "T-h-u-m-b" - (pronounced as "sum," or "some." Phonetic Spelling The presentation of these words appear in sentences made up especially for this pamphlet by the ed- itor. Without doubt he has been guilty on many occasions, of uttering remarks just like those the reader will find from time to time in rural sections. This list is subject to corrections in spelling, for no two Pennsylvania-Germans are inclined to write dialect words in precisely the same manner. Since these words are phonetic, and generally defined, there can really be no great sin against society by our stand. My husband-he always had such a good ABEDIT (appetite) but now he don't FRESS (eat) much anymore. You dumb AESEL (jackass)-don't go so near to the fire. He is as AGASINISH (contrary, stubborn, self-willed) as a bull. You ain't the AINSICHT (only one) who can take her out. He is as AIRLICH (honest) as the day is long. T is such a ALEND (trouble, bother). Hi, ya, ALTER ("old man"--endearing term) Ei-ya; he went and kicked the AMER (bucket; i.e., he died). Come here "onct" AMOHL-which means "once" -its a "doublet." Come here once (sometimes "onct") and make yourself EAKONT (acquainted, known). It hurts me so in the BAUCH (belly, stomach)- maybe I ate too many green apples. Mind you-he went out BAWR-FEESICH (barefooted) in "Chanuary." That old BEDDLAR (beggar) don't come around no more; guess he BEDDLED himself enough money to quit BEDDLING. Give me just a little piece of BENDLE (string). When you get done with your BIGGLA (ironing) let's go in to town. This country is full of dirty BISCOTZA (skunks). Come here once just a BISSEL (little; short while), I want to talk with you. That little fellow is the darndest BLABBERMAUL (talkative)-he sure takes the cake. You never saw such a BLUT-KUP (bald head). For a fellow he's awful BLAID (bashful) when he gets alone with the girls. You should BLEIB (stay) a-while yet; its not late YET. The BLUTZER (thank you "ma'am" on the road) nearly threw me out of the buggy. That old woman next door talks all the time like a BOBBAGOY (parrot). Give me the county-seat BOBBEER (newspaper) -it is just the right size for to cover good the pantry shelf. That there boy will grow up to be a BOBBELMAUL (gabbler) just like his mother. Shaving two times every day is such a BODDERATION (bother, trouble, annoyance) to a man that has lots of work to do. These new people are so BREDERLICH (brotherly). Good BREE (gravy, or juice) I always like on my bread. Go in the front room and get me my BRILL, (or SPECKS-glasses). The dear little BUBBELLY (baby) is so sweet-like; she is so nice-behaved. Oh, boy, what I would give to have a BUSS (kiss) from her! He's always at the BUTTLE (bottle). BUTZ (clean off) your "gums" (rubbers, or overshoes) before you come in the house. Didn'tchu (did you not) CORRISSEER (court) your girt at least a year before you got married? My husband is getting so CRITTLICH (crabbed) of late. It takes a lot of CROOSHT (crust) to "sponge" on your relatives all the time. The little fellow is such a CROTTLER (climber). It feels so good when I can CROTZ (scratch, or rub) it. That widow what just moved in next door is sure a DAERRICH SZWANGER (goes through, or puts things through in a hurry-a rip-snorter). You are just full of the DEIBEL (devil). "Hans," you'd better go to the store quick for some DIVEL'S DRECK (Devil's manure-because of its ugly, bitter taste-assafoetida). You are so darn DOBBICH (or "doplich;" awkward). Du bisht so dobbich. A person gets DORMLICH ("giddy, or dizzy) when he looks up or down the big buildings in the city. We can be DONKBAWR (thankful) that we live in a great "countery" like the United States. A person will get the DORRICH-FOLL (fall- through-diarrhoea) if he eats such stuff. I never saw such a DRECKICH (dirty) child. You are such a DUMMKUP (dumb, idiotic); why don't you watch out where you're going? Some people like to DUNK (dip) their doughnuts. It seems like such an EAWICHKEIT (eternity) 'till the doctor comes. You never seen anything get FAERTICH (finished) so quick. FAERTZICH is the term for the number "forty." But when a Penna.-German says "Glei mohl faertzich," he really means something more,than "almost forty," as the expression has a double meaning. The poor man was so FAHOONGART (starved) that it made me sick to watch him eating. It would be such a FARRICHTERLICH (frightful, fearful) thing to sleep in such a spooky room all alone. Teacher was so FARTZOON'D (cross) at the way the boys behaved when the superintendent came. We must have some doughnuts tomorrow; its FASENACHT day (Shrove Tuesday). Give me once your FEDDER (pen) and I will write mv "John Henry." Some people act so FEEISH (beastly, animal-like). How could you crawl over a FENSARIGGLE (fence-rail) if you couldn't crawl over the pillow last night (as a girl expressed herself after a "bundling" episode the night before). I am so FERAIKLED (digusted) with them politicians. Well, come on then and we'll FERDAIL (divide) the stuff ; that's one way to get SHUT (rid) of it. Children soon get FERDARVA (spoiled) when you give them everything they want. If you can FERDEEN (earn) all you need you can do as you please. Maybe he was FERFLOOCI-IED (cursed), because he never got along. A person must be FERFOWL'D (rotten) to smell like that! You are such a FERGESSLICH (forgetful) person -if your head wasn't fast to your body, I guess you would forget it sometimes, too. Such a woman must be FERHEXT (bewitched; full bf the "devil"). The boy is too young yet, and he gets all FERHOODLED (tangled, or mix-up). D'r bu iss nuch tzu yung, und ar wart al ferhoodled. He was FERRICKED (deranged), that was why the boys wanted to foot around with him so much. The bed clothes are so FERROONTZLED (much disheveled, wrinkled, mussed). You mean you will, FERLEICHT (perhaps)? FERSHITT (to spill, or spilled), as you will note, is not corrupt; but it is used frequently to express other ideas-as "darn" is synonymous for "damn." When children get at the kitchen or pantry cupboard you can expect them to be all FERSHMEERD (besmeared). He was going down the road when an auto FERSHPRITZED (bespattered) him like everything. Here, you little devil-don't try to FERSHTECKLE (hide) yourself. Now talk FERSHTENDICH (sensible) once. FERSHTICKED (smothered) it-that's what she "done" with her poor little "kindt." If you would let a fellow have just a little FERSOOCH (taste), he might be satisfied. She is a very good-looking FRAU (wife). Ei, such a big FREUNDSCHAFT (relationship). Them kids FRESS (eat) just like hogs. When you get to know them right they are such FREINDLICH (friendly, affectionate) people. I was clean GABOOTZT (cleaned "clean") when I went to that house. I'm nearly GABUT (exhausted; very tired). Think, man-think; where are your GADONKA (thoughts)? Stop your GAGRISH (loud cry); you ain't goin' to be kill't. The important musical instrument at a country dance is a GEIK (fiddle). No wonder; you would have GAKUTZED (puked) too, if you had been in such a mess! Stop! don't give me any more; I have GANOONK (enough)! Such a-awful GAROOCH (odor, smell) came from her kitchen; I'd never eat at her house; no, sir; not me. Pap got the GASHEL (raw hide whip) after the son-of-a-gun. Is she the GEITSICH (stingy) old-thing? He was such a "crazy feller," (clownish)-nearly everybody was in GICHTRA (convulsions). It was GLEEDICH-HASE (red-hot). For a GLUTZKUPP (dumb-head) you beat everything "out" (you "take the cake" for being ignorant). Gee, how we used to go out and GOUNSH (swing, as on the tree; a swing). You could hear that dog GOWTZ (bark) all night long; I know'd there was something the matter. Such talk at the table GREISLES (sickens) me; it would make you too. There were so many people killed and hurt-it was GREISLICH (horrible). You needn't GREX (grunt) so; it ain't that heavy. My man G'SHNORRIX'D (snored) so loud he waked up everybody. He just G'SHNOWF'D (breathed) a couple times, yet, hard like, and he just died, like. Sometimes you hear of people who got G'WARRICK'D (choked) when they said such bad things. That poor dumb girl is always in HASE-WASSER (hot water). Perhaps she didn't know enough about the ways of nature! Them Irish had a big fight across the street last night--"it made" HAUSICH (it was a "peach" of a row). She is HECHSED ("hexed;" bewitched). She is such a HESSLICH (hateful) person. Whack him good an his HINNERDALE (hinder part). "Hinnerdale" is used frequently in conversation. Did you ever see any person who got so many things HINNERSFEDDERSHT (hind-end foremost)? Everything I do seems to go HINNERSICH (backward). You little HONSWARSHT (clown, or mischievous youngster); wait till I get my hands on you; you'll get it then. Them new people are too darn HOOCH-MEETICH (pround, stuck-up) for this place; guess we'll set them down onct before long. They may be HOOCH-SHTENDICH (eminent), but they seem common just like you or me. I always get so HOONGERICH (hungry) when I smell fresh-baked bread, don't you? The neighbor farmer has a nice new HOOTCHELLY (colt); he has such skinny legs and jumps funny. -and then I was IVVERNOOMA (overtaken). Ei, we couldn't guide it "werry" good and it got sort of IVVERTZWAERRICI-I (crosswise) in the road; we said "whoa," but it- didn't do no good! I always did like little JONIJUMBUBS (pansies). Oh, it was just KARTZLICH (lately), I seen him last. Haw ! haw !! he slipped on a cake of KEDRECK (cow dung). To the best of my KENN (knowledge) I never seen him before. Boys and girls soon learn that there is something nice about old-fashioned K'NOATSHA (hugging). If I could get a KOOS (kiss) from her it would give me courage to tie a knot in a bull's tail. That was a KREFTICH (vigorous) sock the little fellow handed the big one. Don't KREISH (cry, call) so loud, or I'll whack you once. He's too old and big to act so KINTISH (childish, babyish); sometimes we hear KITTENISH (like a kitten). Don't KNOATCH (handle) those peepies so. Try and find a more expressive word in English: "squeeze" -hardly. When I went to school about half the kids had the KRETZ (itch); only I didn't. Some had the "sivva-yohr-kretz" (seven-year-itch), and did they scratch? Mommy, I'm so KRONK (sick). If you couldn't KROTTLE (crawl) over the pillow last night, how can you "krottle" over the fence? If you KROTZ (scratch) some things they get worse. I get so LADICH (tired) of him courting me so long; I wish he'd marry with me and have it done once. A fellow feels so LAVENDICH (alive) this spring. It was LECHERICH (laughable); we nearly all died. Such a nice girl "shunt" (should not) stay LEDDICH (unmarried) too long. When they started calling each other "LIGNER" ("liar"), it didn't take long to make the fists fly. He acts so LOBBICH (nonsensical, or silly). When my man gets a little under his belt he gets awful LOOSHTICH (jolly). If my boy did such things I'd give him a darn good LOXEERING (physic), so I would! and the next time he'd get a double dose!! A fellow don't care much for girls with such LUFTICH (airy) ways. Did you ever see such MANNERLICH KINNER (mannerly children)? It was MARICKWAERDICH (remarkable) the way he stood the pain and said nothing. It was one of the most NIDDERTRECHTICHA (vile) tricks I ever saw in my life. Kids at that age are so NIXNOOTZICH (good for nothing). Sometime NOCHCOOMER (off-spring) are unexpected-and unwanted. Mom, quick, where is the NOCHTHOFFA (the chamber for under the bed)? I must; quick! You can't go out half NOCKICH (naked); just go and look at yourself. It is so NODEERLICH (natural) to go back to the mother tongue and expressions of boyhood days. A man who works hard all day has a good OBBADIT ("abedit;" appetite). She is surely OBGAGOOKED ("looked off" -the image of her mother). You would think a mother would have her baby OBGAWANED (weaned) before he is five. Some- thing must be wrong there. Oh, my; that child has the OBNEMMA (take-off; malnutrition); you must have her "tried for" (pow- wowed). You just keep it up awhile yet and you'll get such an OBTZEEGA (skinning) like you never had. Lots of people get like OHNMECHTICH (fainty) when they see a person's blood. The first time I went to the fair I was entirely OUSGABOOTZ'D ("cleaned out"). The ORM-DRUP (poor child, or "thing," such as a household pet); she is once again UFGABUNDLED (enciente). It gives a person a lot of PLESSEER (pleasure) to sit and eat a good home-cooked meal. It is so PLESSEERLICH (delightful) to hold you on my lap (SHOS), and in my arms. She ain't got a ROONTZEL (crease, wrinkle) in her dress. You never saw a baby ROOTSH (crawl or squirm) so much. A little boy used to say: "My bowels are moving" when his insides ROPPLED (rattled) a little. The people of the country aren't so RUICH (quiet, still), when election comes around. You dirty little RUTZ-NAUS (snot-nose). When a man eats too much on Sunday dinner he gets SCHLAFFERICH (sleepy) soon. See here now "wonst"-if you don't stay away from them there ugly bad boys you'll get such a SCHLAIG (whipping) like you never yet got; now mind! DU SCHLECHT'R (you bad so-and-so-). Really expressive. The girl I had last night had kisses what were so SCHMECKLICH (tasty, and perhaps wet and luscious). Are kisses sweet, or is it the salty taste given off by the body, that humans, as well as cats and dogs seem to like so much? I've seen lots of people in my time but never such a SCHOOSLICH person (one who pokes along, or stumbles over everything; hands the wrong things; dresses indifferently; doesn't know what he is saying, etc.; a very descriptive word, hard to define in English). Do you think a fellow can have a slick time with a SCHMOOTZICH (greasy-looking) girl? Give me that SCHNOOP-DOOCH (or "nose- wiper"; handkerchief). If he wasn't so SCHTAERKEPPICH (stubborn) maybe he could win her back again. Stop your darn SCHROOCHING (twisting or squirming) around. If you act so SEI-ISH (hoggish) when you eat at home, how do you act when you are away? Every fellow thinks he has a SHAE-MAIDLE (nice girl) no matter what others think about her. That was SHAIDLICH (harmful) and SHENDLICH (disgraceful); you shouldn't have done that! If a SHKULDUGGL'R (putter-on-of-airs) wants to act that way, anything that happens serves him right. It was pretty SHLIPPERICH (slippery), but I thought I could get across. I was so scared I nearly SHLOOK'D (swallowed) my Adam's apple. After "pap" (father) takes his SHLOOMERS(nap) he'll be ready for another pipeful of "duwock." Some people take coal oil, or eat pop-corn and then drink lots of water, and some take castor oil when they get the SHLOOXA (hiccoughs). If she would keep her SHLOVVERICI-I (slobbery) kid cleaned up it wouldn't smell so loud. Such a bad hurt must be SHMARTZLICH (painful); put some SCHMEAR (fat, grease) on it right away. Come here now SHNELL (quickly). Your gramp-pa SHNORRIX'S (snores) just like a pig. A man's SHNOVVEL (beak, nose) may be the measure of his character; even noses may be the means to making a fortune! He was so awful SHPAWRSOM (frugal). They can make SHPUTTA (sneer) at me; but my time comes. We were there when it happened; it was SHRECKLICH (frightful). How far yet to the next SHTEDDLE (town, or village). A SHTROOVELICH (uncombed) wife and her husband, if he's really a gentleman, soon may be two. SHTUVVERICH (stubborn) children sometimes turn out for good, anyhow. Come in and have a SITZ (seat). SOPPERLUT (zounds)! An unusually expressive word. You think its SPOSSICI-I (funny), don't you? The boy didn't want to SPRITZ water on the old man but he got mad anyhow. The poor kids have such STROOBLY hair. No English words are equivalent to this in meaning and value. "Tousled" fails to express it clearly. Too much TZOOKER (candy) is what makes the worms in boys and girls. My; if they weren't the TZWAE-G'SICHTICH'R (two-faced) nobodys. They was awful UFREERISH (worked-up, stubborn) about the way it was did. There was a big time in town last night-it made UFROORISH (a big commotion, or riot). This was the most UNFERSHTENDICH (absurd) thing I ever heard of. Some people are just that way, but some are UNGLICKLICH (unlucky). The difference makes the UNNERSHEED (sometimes "unnershitt"-difference). Tomorrow we all go to the VENDUE (public sale or auction). Did you ever see so many WINDLA (diapers) on one wash line? You are a good-for-nothing WONNERNAUS (an inquisitive person). But the "Wonnernaus" that talks on the radio from Penn street, in Reading, Pa., is a good-for-something-good "wonnernaus." If You wouldn't always be so WOONERFITZICH (inquisitive, nosey) you wouldn't always get into so much trouble. You ought to see my boy since his operation; he eats like a little WUTZ (" wootz;" pig). JUST POOR ENGLISH, THAT'S ALL The collection of phrases and expressions to follow are perhaps nothing more nor less than the outpouring of what is in the heart and mind, through the mouths of individuals who generally say what they think!-in German or "dialect" it would probably be in good form-but, coming from the rural Pennsylvania-German, in English--well, we can easily see the results when we know too little about several things. Still, we've been around a bit, as we say, and in some communities where neither good German, or poor German have ever been spoken, there is a terrific butchering of the language we call the "English." Don't blame these people who work hard all day long, and whose large families and other worries give them little time to study to speak correctly. These phrases sound funny-they really are funny -but when thus used they convey ideas generally understood by those addressed, unless it be some "outsiders" who may have come "to see and hear." Nor are these phrases any more odd than those of English-spoken persons who, without the benefit of a thorough course in the German language, try to make themselves understood in a tongue foreign to the one they learned at mother's knee. But we like the expressiveness of these odd terms, and hope that you will like them, too. That way I AIN'T. The candy is ALL. 'Es tzooker is al. Definitely there is "no more," and it is so understood by all. The ginger-ale is ALL but the soda is YET. Sort o' far-fetched-but one can hear it rendered thus. It wasn't in print ANYMORE in 1928. Everything is in APPLE-PIE ORDER (fine condition). Do you happen to have a directory of Harrisburg AROUND? She'd rather be married to him AS (than) to keep house for him. Next thing you'll be one of them AWHENGER (a hanger-on; loafer). Don't AX (ask) me foolish questions! I BACH ("batch") myself. (I am a bachelor; I live alone). . . . and you go up to where the car (street car) BENDS around the corner. When youngsters in diapers get their hands in any kind of dirt, on putting it to their mouths, it is common to hear some adult say: "BAXY, BAXY; POOH BAH." (Baby talk for "dirty, dirty;" "Pooh bah" for gigag," or to cause to vomit). When I stood up on the platform to make a speech I got so BEFUDDLED (mixed-up; excited; unable to think). I'm fetching a pig I had BESTOWED (a gift). Gosh, that stuff's BEISICH (bitter, pungent). Now you kids must all "behafe" (behave) good or the BELSNICKEL (St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, and other "fairy" fantasties who supplied nut goodies and sweets on their nocturnal visits) won't come around. Them new people think they are BIG BUGS (some- times "bick-bucks'!---aristocrats). Bad boys ought to get more BIRCHINGS (switchings). An old saying has it that too many whippings, as with the bare hand, causes too much blood to rush to the place of punishment, thus causing what we know as a large HINNERDALE. You are all the time such a BODDERATION (a bother, nuisance). He BLABS (tells) everything he hears. You're got the darn thing all BOOGHERED-UP. (mixed ,damaged). The BOOGIE-MAN (devil, or evil spirit) will get you if you aren't a good boy. I wish you'd come here and BRUSH ME OFF. My nose itches like a BUGGER (meaning a tickling, annoying feeling). Haven't seen you in a COON'S AGE (a long, long time; perhaps several years). She gave me a COUPLE of apples-not necessarily two-perhaps two, or even three times two. The baby is awful CRABBIT today -very ill-natured. Are you still CROSS AT ME (angry)? He a crusty old CROW-BAIT (crabby, fussy old man.) Wonder who will DADDY this last child (father a child born out of wedlock; evidently not the first one thus born). You'll get my DANDER (spunk) worked up; then LOOK OUT. Mom says I DASSENT (dare not) go out to play. Just now I'm working for a DEAD-HORSE (work for which I'd been paid in advance). My DATTER (daughter) was always such a good girl before she went to the city! She said she never saw such a DIDDLER (a cohabiter; also one who fools away his time). Some drunks cut the darndest DIDOES (capers) when they get STEWED. Give me some DIPPY (gravy, dressing)! I like DIPPY BREAD. If you don't get away from under my window with your darn loud talking, I'll DOUSE you with the pot water! You need a little more ELBOW-GREASE (some additional strength). My husband knows when he has ENOUGH TO EAT, ALMOST (has had his fill). Fritzie, come in to eat; Ma and Pa are on the table and Johnny has ET HIMSELF ALREADY. You act as if you had the EPIZOOTY (a disease -found among horses). You FAVOR yourself in that picture. He lives FERDER (further) from town than me. We're getting company and I was FETCHED (sent for). We want you and the whole family to come and help us with the FLITTIN (moving) on April 1st. The old GIG (a two-wheeled vehicle) provided lots of fun in its day. What does this GIVE; a parade or WHAT? Wos gebt's; en parade od'r wos? Don't put any GOO (or "goom") lotion on my hair. I've GOT IT SO in my back (probably lumbago). The medicine show people were so G'SPOSSICH (comical). I ain't got wet feet; I have on my GUMS (rubbers, overshoes, or boots). Perhaps we get a GUST (thunder-storm)? She was all HET UP (excited, or cross) because some one tramped through the flower-beds. ME AND BECKY are goin' to be HITCHED (married) SOME of these days. The poor HOMMY (calf) wants its mamma (the mother cow). Stay up there HONEY (on sniffing), or I'll LICK you! IT MAKES A BODY (a person) TIRED to hear of SUCH GOIN'S ON. One of the common expressions we hear: I MUST CHANGE AROUND (a change of clothing). The girl came home late at night and got JESSE (a severe scolding; literally "hell"). Gee, I was all KERFLOMMIXED (excited), when I couldn't find my pants, and the old man was coming downstairs! The KIVERS (bed clothing) don't always lay nice. He is a KRUSTICH (crusty) old fossil. He is too KRUTZICH (stumpy) to go to the war. That's a WERY (very) LASTY (durable) basket. (On trying to worm her way through a crowd): LET A-BODY (person, or me) THROUGH. Don't get so LIPPY (smart), or I'll WHACK you a swift one over your mouth; and I mean it, too! You are such a LUNK-HEAD (dim-wit). MAKE an egg for my supper. MAKE the door shut. Moch de deer tzu. Do you think it will MAKE, or GIVE, rain? Denksht es gebt raiga? He MAKES so funny (he is so comical). Ar mocht so shpossich. How many of us say: "MAYN'T I?" When the father went away from home by train, two daughters wanted to go with him to the station to MEET HIM GO (see him off). Do you MIND (recall) when I fell in the creek? My orchard is just doing so MIDDLIN' (fair). You're full of MISHT (manure). You MIND (recall) old Fenstermacher? He was at Ensminger's STILL (formerly). Where you goes MIT (with, or by) yourself alone? She is one of those NOSE-HIGH people (snobby). Such NOTIONS only bad boys GET INTO THEIR HEADS. How long is your OFF (vacation)? Wie long bisht op? He scared me like the OLD HARRY (devil). Let me see it ONCE; or "onct." When we get moved ONCE. I was in love with her ONCE. I want OUT, or IN. OUTEN the light; or, MAKE OUT the light. A few well-spoken persons may on occasion really say: "Extinguish the light!". Moch's licht ous! If you let me come OWWER ONCT maybe you could learn to TAKE ON with me FOR GOOD. I hear them people live OVER BY the ridge. YOU'NS ain't the only PEPPLES (pebbles) on the PEACH (beach). She said: "I PIDDLED around the house all day." She meant "loafed around'!---not "Piddled" (urinated). In Baltimore the usage seems to carry the former meaning, but on an examination of a German dictionary we find that "to piddle" means just what we say it means! Today was PRETTY, wasn't it? I PLUMB, or CLEAN (entirely) forgot. POO LOOD'R (stinking manure)! It's raining A'READY; or, she went to bed A'- READY (surprisingly soon, before it was expected). Is it impolite to RIFT (belch) in the presence of company? The people in that new church had one of their meetings again last night-it made ROSH (they had "big carryin's on;" "doin's"). ROUS MITT EM I (Out with them). Mrs. Schmaltz has such a nice RUCK (rug); and she MATE (made) it all herself. I was SCATTERED OUT (worked out among the neighbors, for a living and a home). Some girls like fellows what can SCHMUTZ (i. e. give rather wet kisses). Remember how we used to go fishing with a new SCHPEL (pin, bent) for a hook? She'd look much better if she'd SCHTRAAL (comb) herself once. You're nothing but a SHITE-POKE (a loafer, or person with little character). I GO OUT and SH00 (scare) those darn chickens out of our yard. He's so busy he hardly ever SITS (idles). Her baby SLOBBERS so (has too much spittle running from the mouth). Don't forget to SLOP (feed the garbage to) the WOOTZ'S (piggies). They SLUNG (threw) me out. My uncle HE TOOK some senna tea with the leaves pulled down, and did he have the SKITTERS (looseness of the bowels--physic) ? The leaves, if pulled upward, cause one to vomit. We'll eat a SNACK (small, short meal), before we go to bed. If you SNUFFEL (hunt around more or less clandestinely) now you won't get none of it when the time comes. (We can remember sometimes that WE got what we shouldn't have, and the OTHERS got THE NOTHING; how about you?) Give me just a little SNUUTS of your apple (a wee bit). She sure SOT (set, or put) him down in his place (i. e. shamed him). Don't SPLUTTER so! (Presumably the halting, explosive, uncertain type of person trying to tell something in a hurry). Mom, he SQUIRTED (or "spritzed") water on me; literally: "turned the hose on;" also "urinated on." She used to come here STILL, or YET, but now she DON'T NOMORE. Put the cheese and crackers in a TUT, or TOOT (a sack, paper bag). I don't like such UCKLY (ugly, unpleasant) days. UN-BEKNOWNST to her, I SNUCK up to her, and gave her a big hug and kiss. (It was done without knowledge beforehand, else the story might not ever have been told)! Don't VOMMIX (vomit, throw-up) here; go home and VOMMIX in your own house! Grand-pap always wore his WAMUS (thick jacket) all winter; it was his best friend-like. WATCH-OUT-here comes your Pop! Du gricksht'sl You'll get it! A WEENY (tiny) bit is better than none, ain't it? If you don't behave you'll get a good WHACK (sharp slap). Did you charge him for the book? WHAT FER book? I guess you let him have it for nothin' then! The operation of an elevator was a WONDER to the boy and girl from the farm. He is WONDERFUL stingy; or, it rained WONDERFUL. Es hut wunderbar garaigert. It will be understood as "quite a rain storm." My children were raised WORLD-WIDE (without a home of their own). My pappy WOTED (voted) PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS (regularly). What YET would you want for nothing? He YARIXED (yorked, or vomited) like everything he was so sick at his MAWGA (stomach) from drinking, or smoking. THE "DUTCH" WILL COME OUT Nothing seems to give a man or woman quick relief under a fit of passion, or the heat of an argument, or in ordinary conversation, as the ability to say what they think-and let the devil take the hindmost! When we have something definite in mind, to say something is to think in German, or in the dialect, and say the words that would come forth. Sometimes the results are extremely funny-we say German and English together without our knowing it-but not without the "other fellow" knowing what its all about. But then, we expect these things, and we would probably not change our ways-if we could! AEGNA-LEEB SHTINCKT! (Self-love, or praise, stinks). AIN'T GOT ANYMORE. Hob kens mae. Gee, if I hadn't A-SEED YOU, I wouldn't A- KNOW'D YOU! (on suddenly recognizing an acquaintance). A most common term: AS DUTCH AS SAURKROUT." Do you want BUTTER BREAD (bread and butter); or, coffee-soup (bread broken into coffee)? Bread, broken into small bits, adding milk and sugar, may be identified as "bread-soup." If you don't hurry up you'll never CATCH AFTER. Something COME AWAY (was stolen). COME BACK-why not come again? If I am going out this evening I must DRESS AROUND; or DRESS UP! DOONER UND BLITZEN (thunder and lightning). DOONERWETTER (thunder-gust). If you are going to be home I'll DROP UP and see you this evening. DUMMEL DICH! Hurry! The man made a misstep and nearly FELL IN THE DOOR. Oh-h-h- my GRA-AWG (corn)! GIVE THE BABY A NAME. Geb's bubble 'n nawma. How goes it, G'SCHENT'LLEIT (gentlemen)? A customer asked the butcher the name of his dog, and got this reply: "He had me told, but now I can't think at it." HELL A' KITIN'. HIS EATING WENT AWAY (as is said when one loses his appetite). HOW LONG (a vacation) DO YOU HAVE? Come here INSTANTER (at once). He HAS IT SO in his back. Ar hut's so im buck'l. I MEAN I'll wash my dishes (she intends to). I SEEN HIM YET A'READY! (Wonder what HE did about it)! I DID MY BUSINESS ALL OVER the South! (i. e., he did well in the matter of business). The fellow I work for pays me $2 IF I EAT MY- SELF, and $1 (per day) IF HE EATS ME. Can I have a kiss, JUST FER SO? (Yes, even talk like this finds it's "Jack and Jill.") Now everything is out of KELTER (disarranged). We go to LEBANON UP on the DOWN TRAIN. We LIVE NEIGHBORS to them. Meer woona nuchbera tzu eena. Straight up this road, but its a LITTLE CROOKED, and rough, so it is. You never saw a person MAKE SUCH A SOUR FACE. During a shower the girl was heard to say: "My goodness its MAKING DOWN HARD." NIX COOM EROUS. That was a remark they PICKED ME UP ON. The streets are PRETTY WELL dry now. It's a nice day to go RAMMING AROUND. Go right down this road a-ways and turn RFGHT SQUARE TO THE LEFT. RUN IN (come to see us); or, RUN OUT. RUN IN WHENEVER IT FITS IN. She was SET DOWN PLENTY HARD (humiliated). We RUN OUT of space; i. e., we lack space. I can't go out yet until I SEW IT AT, FIRST. Do you SINK (think) I'll get sick if I ride wiss (with) my pack (back) to the enchin (engine)? Glad to get SHUT-OF (rid) that old piece of furniture. SOMESING FUNNY'S UP. SPRINKLE DOWN (or dampen) the clothes. They STEPPED ME OUT OF LINE (took me out) jackey, you go now and THROW THE HORSE OVER THE FENCE SOME HAY! Everything is THROUGH EACH OTHER. Alles iss darrich onera. My little boy is getting so much better since we had him TRIED FOR (pow-wowed). He wants UP; i. e., the baby would like to be held, or carried. Poor Mary; she's UP THE STUMP (pregnant) again). WHAT DOES IT GIVE for dinner? Wos gebt's fa middawg-essa? I don't know what I'll WEAR ON HER if she goes to the picnic. (Believe me, if she's a young girl, I'd be careful to wear the "right thing.") She WEARS HER FACE BROAD. Why do we say WRITE IT DOWN; or, WRITE IT UP? WHAT GIVES IT HERE? Wos gebt's do? My! YOU LOOK GOOD IN THE FACE. Telling of the train leaving Lebanon for Cornwall, one girl said: "You're early of late; you used to be behind before; now you're first at last." YOU GOTTA WATCH OUT. My goodness, you didn't COME CLEAN (all the way) FROM Pittsburgh to Harrisburg? ("Clean from" could have as easily been from a clean city, as a smoky one). I can hardly get up on these seats; maybe I could JUST AS GOOD STAND! How' would you say, the correct way: "Bell don't make; Bump!" Things changed a lot the LAST WHILE BACK. Do you have any chocolate airnonds? No, sir; we're CLEAN OUT. I'd SOONER (rather) not have it. He's a SOONER (quick, fast, shrewd). She is now old enough to SIT UP (entertain her beau, without parental supervision, we believe). An item was handed to us for publication, viz: "One of the women in the office was away on her vacation, and was about due to come back to work. Another woman was discussing her with the balance of the office force, and with a show of pity, remarked: 'Poor Miss Smith, her off's about all." The Pennsylvania-German lady was shopping in the department store (at Hershey), with her little daughter, who was very bashful. The little girl, in trying to hide her face, attracted the attention of the clerk, who tried to talk to her. The mother remarked: "Oh, don't mind her, SHE FEELS HERSELF SO BEHIND." I don't want you or any of your family to ever DARKEN MY DOOR again. He knows which side his bread is buttered on (he knows what is good for him). Well, you can MAKE ON as IF you knew something. On a trolley car in rural Pennsylvania, a very full-fashioned woman had trouble to find room on the seat for that portion of the anatomy which one generally places on the seat, so she squirmed and twisted about for a while, finally settling in place with: "I SIT BROAD, AIN'T I?" It WONDERED me. Es hut mich g'woonered. And how do you say it? I hope IT GIVES what it looks like. KEEP THE PAINT OFF (wet paint)! You're a LITTLE PIECE (or a "good piece") OFF (away from home), ain't you? Don't let the women put a HEX (spell, or bewitch) on you. I don't mind da vinter freezes so werry pat ("bad"), but I do HOSS (hate) der deivelish vinter saws-(thaws) .
Kyle Schumann
[email protected]