#study langugaes

whattheforkingfork:

whattheforkingfork:

In German we don’t say “killing time”, we say “Zeit totschlagen ” which literally means “beating the time up to death” and I think that’s beautiful

I didn’t tell you the whole truth: The verb “totschlagen” belongs to the noun “Totschlag”. “Totschlag” and “Mord” (murder) are two types of crime where someone committed homicide. “Mord” on the one hand was a mostly planned or at least intendet murder yand is more severe than “Totschlag” - killing someone in the heat of the moment, out of a sudden urge or emotion.

“umgangssprachlich; Der Begriff ”Zeitvertreib" ist erst eine Erfindung des 18. Jahrhunderts, aber den Reichen und Adligen war Sport, Spiel und Unterhaltung auch vorher natürlich nicht unbekannt. Das redensartliche Bild meint, dass man die "Person Zeit“ vertreiben oder gar töten kann, damit sie einen nicht länger durch ihre Anwesenheit belästigt.”

“colloquial; The term "Zeitvertreib” has only been invented in the 18th century, although prior, sports, games and entertainment (as a pastime) weren’t unfamiliar to the rich and nobles. The idiomatic picture indicates that one dispels or even ‘murders’ (see above explanation) the personified “time” so it would no longer disturb oneself through its presence.“

[reference:Redensarten-Index]

Translation: In Germany, we don’t say “Hello, could you turn down the music ?”, we say “Yes, hello, Code Enforcement/Department of Order ? The neighbour still has loud music turned on at 10:01 pm*. 

Yes, with emergency vehicle lighting*, please.”

*According to German law, a curfew is applied past 10 o’clock pm. (a law loved and appreciated by Germans :)) 

*lit. “blue light” - any sort of emergency/operational vehicle uses blue light to signal the urgency of the situation; here we would talk about the municipal-level law enforcement agency

[credit:this post by @jodelapp on instagram]