Cussing in German

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Cussing in German : "Schimpfwörter"

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Before we get started, it's important to note that in general, German is a very lenient cussing language. I've heard 7 year-olds readily use the equivalent for "shit" in front of their mothers. It's just hard to get the same severity as in English. But, without further ado:

• Arsch : ass
• Arschloch : asshole
• Depp : idiot
• Du Sack! : you, scrotum
• Dummkopf : idiot
• Einzeller : one-celler (usu. for blonds)
• Fick dich ins Knie : Fuck yourself in the knee
• Heulsuse : crybaby
• Scheiße : shit
• Schlampe : slut
• Trottel : idiot
• Verpiss dich! : Fuck off!
• Vollidiot : complete idiot
• Wichser : Wanker

And finally, THE German cuss word:

• Fotze: Cunt.
  
  Note: This will get you slapped! It's also derogatory enough not to be in the dictionary.

Enjoy!

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Return to Ranting in Various Languages metanode presented by: sensei

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Here's a few more for your phrasebook:

• Saupillermannarschloch (sow'pill-uh-man arsh'loch) - (Hamburg dialect) - lit. "sow penis arse-hole" -- apparently very rude
  
• Drecksau ("drek'sow") - "dirty pig". To my mind dreck in German has a more yucky connotation than it does in english so this is quite rude too

Drecksau"), pronunciation is without t; and "pillermann" (note the R!) means just "penis", not "penis-man"

Stepnwolf is almost correct. The most-often quoted line in the play is : "So sage Deinem Herren, er könne mich am Arsche lecken !", which translates into "So tell your master that he can lick my ass."

More German bad words :

Hartgeldstricher (male)
  Hartgeld means coins, Stricher means a male prostitute. A male who sells his body for coins.

Arschkriecher (male)
  Ass-creeper. Someone who climbs up into other people's rectum to gain favours.

A few other popular words when one wishes to swear in German:

• der Schwanz - penis, offensively (dick, cock, prick, you name it)
• der Klugscheißer - smart ass
• Leck mich! - apparently the often used offensive term when you want someone to get lost, to leave you alone. ("suck my balls" ;-)
• der Schwachkopf - dick head, moron, idiot

Germans are generally really polite people. Honestly. :-)

• Warmduscher, Weichei, Lump - wuss
• Knalltüte - literally "bang bag" (somebody who's not to be taken seriously)
• Trottel, Blödel, Dödel - sap (the last one actually means "dick" as well)
• Pisskopf - "piss head"
• Schwachkopf - imbecile
• Arschgeige - "arse violin" ... thanks to RalphyK for reminding me :)
• Arschgesicht - "butt face"

Those were in rough order of increasing offensiveness. A guy from South Tyrol (native speakers of both Italian and German) once told me that German is rather boring compared to the colorful possibilities of Cussing in Italian. But still, every few weeks I've got a new swearword of the month :)

German has a reputation for being a lame language when it comes to terms of insulting people. Well, some foreigners do not seem to understand how to put our beautiful language to its best use! Take advantage of composed nouns! (The following insults are hopefully sorted in increasing insult capability.)

Pantoffelheld : a man dominated by his wife; literally master of slippers
Schreckschraube : ugly woman; literally shock-screw
Wuchtbrumme : fat woman; literally impact of a steel-slab
Frauenversteher : man who flatters often, softie; literally someone who understands women
Penner : bum; literally sleeper (not composed, but commonly used - everyone not getting out of the way of someone who is in hurry is a potiential "penner")
Arsch mit Ohren : butt with ears; this is a funny one, sometimes used in the media, in advertisment or among friends
Pissnelke : idiot; literally pissing carnation
Schleimscheisser : shits slime; used for people who flatter
Korinthenkacker : shits "Korinthen", a sweet; meaning is the same as "Schleimscheisser"
Stiefellecker : boot licker; means the same as "Schleimscheisser", but with emphasis on servileness
falscher Fuffziger : liar, traitor; literally faked piece of 50 Pfennig (got out of fashion since the introduction of the EURO)
Hurensohn : sonofabitch
Klowichser : s.o. wanking on the toilet whilst sitting
Flachwichser : someone who squirts flat after wanking
Linkswichser : s.o. wanking with his left hand
Hinterlader : literally breech-loader; used for gay men
Schwanzlutscher : cock-sucker
Kinderschänder : child abuser

But if you REALLY want to insult a German, just call him a Nazi or Fascist. Chances are high that someone will wake up in a hospital. Calling someone a Nazi in a german bar lets the music stop playing.

Nevertheless, proper insulting in german without hurting to much is some kind of art. Spontaneous inventing of words composed of three words means the mastery of low offending, e.g. Schlafwagenschaffner (sleeper cabin train conductor), Hartgeldstricher, Dreigroschennutte (3-penny-whore), Zuchtpferdschänder (breeding-horse-desecrator), Hartz-IV-Empfänger (a jobless).

If you combine 3 words, the meaning of your insult is not as important as the sheer impact of this intricate word.
Hint: Insults composed of three words are rare. Combine 2-word insults with a word that can be used as a preposition, e.g. Kleinkinderschänder.

In addition, it is possible to combine ANY 3 words, but those are very special insults: Im-Sitzen-Pinkler (pisses while sitting), Strich-50-Fahrer (drives constantly at 50 km/h), Standstreifen-Benutzer (uses the trace spared for the ambulance).