Phraseologisms enrich our discourse and, in combination with geography, also expand boundaries. In German, people of other nationalities are often mentioned. We give some examples and explain the meaning as well as the origin.

Like a god in France

One who literally lives like a god in France knows no worries and difficulties. He lives like Christ in the bosom, happily ever after. This German expression appeared in the 18th century as an allusion to the way of life of the French clergy. They were at the top of the class hierarchy and enjoyed many privileges.

Chinese emperor and Chinese letter

Heard a statement that sounds completely unbelievable and want to give a spontaneous ironic response? Reach for the sky. “Und ich bin der Kaiser von China”, say the Germans. “Well, if so, then I am the Chinese Emperor” – by saying this, you are contrasting what you have heard with something equally unimaginable.

Germans also remember the Chinese when they talk about something complex and incomprehensible. “Das ist wie Chinesisch für mich” – “To me, this is a Chinese letter.” The next difficulty level is Fachchinesisch – “Chinese for experts”. This may seem to the layman, for example, like professional terms or the language of lawyers.

bohemian villages

The incomprehensible jargon in German is still called “bohemian villages”. “Das sind für mich böhmische Dörfer”. In the Middle Ages, on the outskirts of the historic region of Bohemia, German was spoken, the language and names of places in the depths were Czech. Therefore, to passing Germans, they seemed strange and incomprehensible.

spanish orders

Something strange, strange, wrong, even a little frightening in the language of German phraseological units, is associated with the Spaniards. “Das kommt mir spanisch vor” – literally “sounds like Spanish to me”. This expression came from the 16th century, when the King of Spain, Charles V, became German Emperor and began to impose his Spanish orders on the Germans.

Swedish curtains and an old Swede

The phraseological unit “Hinter schwedischen Gardinen” also has a negative meaning. Nobody wants to be in such a position. Steel from Sweden was once considered to be of high quality and stability. That’s why it was often used in the manufacture of prison bars. Being “behind the Swedish curtains” – thunder in the bunk.

Germans call a good friend “Old Swede”. Alter Schwede – Old, Friend. According to one version, the roots of this expression go back to the 19th century. After the Thirty Years’ War, Elector Friedrich Wilhelm I of Brandenburg recruited experienced and proven Swedish soldiers as instructors for his army. Alter Schwede is not only an expression of confidence, but also of surprise, as long as it’s not directed at a specific person: “Honest mother!” If it’s a particular person, it conveys indignation: “Gee! Mommy dear!”

Owls and Athens

Going to Tula with your samovar is like carrying firewood to the forest or owls to Athens. Eulen nach Athen tragen – doing something useless, what others have been doing without you for a long time and well. The owl is a symbol of the goddess Athena and the city of Athens. It can be seen not only on ancient amphorae but also on the Greek euro coin.