Thursday, April 20, 2006

Torschlusspanik

What a cool word! Torschlusspanik. Doesn't it sound like something yummy to eat, like Belgian waffles with Dulche de Leche, Movenpick's Rosti (shredded potatoes are pan-fried with sweet butter and olive oil until golden brown and ideally served with smoked salmon, chives and sour cream) or even a variety store Twinkie? I thought so too, but not even close. Apparently it is a German word which loosely translates into that feeling of fear one gets as one gets older and worries that there are fewer opportunities available to them.


Or how about this one: schadenfreude. I swear, I am not making this up. This one refers to the enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others. Who needs so many words when you can just have a single perfect one? You gotta love the Germans for their clean, orderly streets, economical words, sauerbraten, shnitzel, sacher torte and kirsch!

Ein prosit!

4 comments:

Not An Artist said...

I too love the German language's compound words -- shadenfreude I had heard before, torschlusspanik is a new one for me. When I was a student I would almost always use compound words, German style, as titles for my projects. Its just so damn straightforward!

City Wiccan said...

Volkswagen . . . Farfegnuten . . . Entarte Kunst . . . Eine Kleine Nach Musik . . . Der Wiener Schnitzel

I thought I would show off my vast knowledge of German . . . hee hee

Anonymous said...

ahh...germany...i looove it! and the schnitzel, spaetzle and kaese and the beer!

Anonymous said...

you forgot weltanschung. which is just fun to say...