Ha, that’s funny! As you might remember, my children had some problems concerning the correct spelling of the German word “Spießer” and I’m still confused about it since the latest German Language spelling reform.
Today, I discovered the website of Hyde Flippo, a retired language teacher who now runs a very successful blog. In this blog, he continues teaching German and so it has become a very fruitful source for our children and other people who are interested in the German language.
Well, one of his latest articles deals with the “double-s words” (remember my Spießer example). Ok, I think they’ll have it now…
Chillen
This post is again about “Popular Anglicisms“. You can find more posts about the subject on this website. In this sort of posts, I’m going to talk about some common Anglicisms and describe their meaning in the German use of language. Anglicisms have become widely spread in our daily life, but sometimes it’s rather strange how they’re used.
The German term “chillen” is a rather new Anglicism that is solely used by young people. It has become popular by the emerging chill out style in techno music, starting in the mid-1990s. The meaning of chillen corresponds to the American slang term “to chill” in terms of “to relax” or “to calm down” and is used in similar contexts. (By the way: Chillen sometimes also hits a sour note, because in certain circles it’s generally associated with smoking weed.)
By and by derived terms emerged, like the adjective “chillig” or “abchillen” (a modern version of the original “chillen“. The prefix “ab-” is often used to make an activity appearing “cool”. More examples are “ablachen” or “abfeiern“. “Lachen” (to laugh) and “feiern” (to party) are normal verbs, but not cool enough for some people. You don’t have to understand this, for me, it’s out of all reason as well…) These expressions have become common outside the techno scene as well as catch-all terms for ‘activities’ that are associated with passive recreation. In the end, chillen is nothing more than hanging around, but it sounds more trendy…
Germans don’t dress like Germans
This is one of the key sentences in one of the “Survival Guides for Germany” that is sold in the United States these days. These books should help the average American soccer tourist to survive in the unknown German jungle.
To prevent deep disillusionments the traveler learns that 99% of the Germans never wear the traditional Bavarian costume, that cars are sacred and shouldn’t be touched without the owner’s permission and that it’s not recommended to talk too affirmatively about Donald Trump…
Are these guides really necessary or are they just entertainment? For me, as a German American, it sounds really funny. A lot of Germans are experienced in international contacts and know well that foreigners may have a different mentality and culture. And most of them are tolerant enough to cope with these differences. So, if you’re going to visit Germany: Keep it with Douglas Adams and don’t panic!