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Funny Swiss German Words

Someone who is learning a new language will most certainly stumble across words that will sound funny or strange to him. I remember when I learned that an English rooster cries "cock-a-doodel-doo" I almost fell off my chair from laughing. Seriously? Is this how a rooster sounds? Later, when I thought about it some more, I realized that there are quite a few Swiss German words that must sound just as strange (or even stranger) to the foreign ear.

Remembering this episode from my school years (yes, that long ago!) I decided to start a list with funny sounding Swiss German words. It is far from complete and I'm happy to accept any additions!

Funny Swiss German Words

  • Chuchichäschtli (small kitchen cupboard)
  • Güggerüggüü (cock-a-doodel-doo)
  • Füdlibürger (burgeois person)
  • Chrüsimüsi (chaos)
  • Hitzgi (hickup)
  • Äxgüsi (excuse)
  • Plagöri (bragger, swaggerer)
  • Chrotepösche (dandelion)

Funny - Juergon Jotzo / pixelio.de






© 2016 IRENE WYRSCH "A HUMOROUS GUIDE TO SWITZERLAND" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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  1. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2017 at 3:31 AM

    I just discovered your blog while searching for a recipe for vermicelles. Many years ago on a visit to Switzerland, the daughter of my mother's friend in Langnau was giving me difficult Swiss German words to say. One was Chuchichäschtli and the other was Milchmachterli (sp?) I don't remember what the milch-word means. My sister and I weren't able to find any English words that were too hard for her. I always loved to hear my mother's friend speak Swiss-German. Such a lovely sing-song cadence. I look forward to reading your other entries. Julie in FL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Irene WyrschJanuary 13, 2017 at 4:40 PM

      Hello Julie
      thanks for your sharing your story. I'm not sure either what the Milchmachterli word means. Milch is milk but I haven't heard machterli before. Maybe its an older word?
      In any case I'm glad you stopped by!

      Delete

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