German Words That Sneak Into English190

English borrows words from other languages all the time, and German has been a significant source of these linguistic loans. Some of these words have become so common that they're used without a second thought, while others are still relatively new to the English language. Here are 15 German words that have made their way into English:

1. Kindergarten: This word, which means "children's garden," was first used in the 1840s to describe a type of preschool in Germany. It was brought to the United States in the 1850s and has since become the standard term for preschools in the U.S. and many other countries.

2. Delicatessen: This word, which means "delicacies," was first used in the 1870s to describe a type of shop that sold imported German foods. Today, delicatessens sell all sorts of gourmet foods, from cheese and meat to bread and pastries.

3. Pretzel: This word, which means "little stick," was first used in the 14th century to describe a type of baked bread that was twisted into a knot shape. Pretzels are now a popular snack food in the United States and other countries.

4. Poltergeist: This word, which means "noisy ghost," was first used in the 16th century to describe a type of ghost that was said to make loud noises. Poltergeists are now a popular subject of horror movies and television shows.

5. Gesundheit: This word, which means "health," is used to express a wish for good health, typically after someone sneezes. It was first used in the 18th century and is now a common expression in the United States and other English-speaking countries.

6. Angst: This word, which means "anxiety," was first used in the 19th century to describe a feeling of deep-seated anxiety. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe a wide range of feelings of anxiety and dread.

7. Blitzkrieg: This word, which means "lightning war," was first used in the 1930s to describe the German military strategy of launching a surprise attack with overwhelming force. It is now used to describe any type of sudden and overwhelming attack.

8. Wanderlust: This word, which means "desire to travel," was first used in the 19th century to describe a strong desire to travel and explore the world. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe a love of travel and adventure.

9. Doppelgänger: This word, which means "double-goer," was first used in the 18th century to describe a person who is a double or exact copy of another person. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe a person who is very similar to another person.

10. Schadenfreude: This word, which means "joy at another's misfortune," was first used in the 18th century to describe a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction that is derived from the misfortune of others. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe a wide range of feelings of joy or satisfaction that are derived from the misfortune of others.

11. Zeitgeist: This word, which means "spirit of the time," was first used in the 18th century to describe the spirit or mood of a particular period of time. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe the general mood or atmosphere of a particular time period.

12. Kindergarten: This word, which means "children's garden," was first used in the 1840s to describe a type of preschool in Germany. It was brought to the United States in the 1850s and has since become the standard term for preschools in the U.S. and many other countries.

13. Oktoberfest: This word, which means "October festival," was first used in the 19th century to describe a festival that was held in Munich, Germany. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe a festival that is held in October and features German food, beer, and music.

14. Weihnachtsmarkt: This word, which means "Christmas market," was first used in the 18th century to describe a market that was held in Germany during the Christmas season. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe a market that is held during the Christmas season and features Christmas decorations, food, and gifts.

15. Deutschland: This word, which means "Germany," was first used in the 18th century to describe the country of Germany. It is now a common word in the English language, used to describe the country of Germany and its people.

These are just a few of the many German words that have made their way into the English language. These words have enriched the English language and made it a more expressive and versatile language. They are a testament to the close relationship between the German and English languages and the cultural exchange that has taken place between the two cultures over the centuries.

2025-01-06

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