Germans

(This has absolutely nothing to do with comic books, but still.)

I am of German heritage (Mom was naturalized a US citizen in 1971, Dad's dad came over to America in the 1920s, they're from opposite ends of Germany), and I am always fascinated by the German language of which I speak a little and understand more. One of my favorite things about the German language is the seeming ability of the Germans to mash a couple of words together to make a new word when one is needed. And like the French language, the Germans have words for stuff we didn't know we needed.

One of my favorite German words is this:

"Schadenfreude", or a pleasurable emotion resulting from the misfortune of others

Of COURSE the Germans would have such a word! I'm sure it comes up all the time. Strangely enough, we Americans use it a lot too.

Recently I discovered a new German word:

"Backpfeifengesicht" - a face that cries out for a fist in it

Yes, that seems very German too, doesn't it! Crack me up.

Oh and the (second) longest German word, made of mashing a bunch of smaller words together when they needed a new one?

Behold:

"Donaudampfschiffahrtselektrizitätenhaupt
betriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft" which of course means Association for subordinate officials of the head office management of the Danube steamboat electrical services

I sure love those compound nouns!

You're welcome.