Original, primary, primordial, used as prefix, e.g. The term was coined by Friedrich Nietzsche in 1883 and described the 'higher state to which he thought man might aspire' “Storm surge” or storm tide, meaning deluge - I saw this for the first time in the Economist magazine, in April 2009 Refers to a German literary movement of the C18th “Storm and Stress”, meaning state of disturbance and disorder. Also metaphorical, as someone's cultural/historical background. Means “the land behind”, originally rural areas outside towns.

Total work of art, universal artwork, synthesis of the arts:I always find it sounds awkward when translated, and better left in the original German. Refers to the stress caused by feeling impelled to fill up weekends with busy activity instead of relaxing! If you see I've missed a few - just let me know!

False friends : These are German words which lull you into a false sense of security byĪutomatically suggesting an English equivalent, but which actually.German? Really?! 'I didn't know that was German' German words, which we have simply adopted into English and where we areįrequently unaware of their German origins.Historical context - stemming from a particular period and German - leave it! These words are understood by an English-speaking audience in their original German form.Of adoption is one of the ways in which English is continually enrichedĪnd altered – a process going back over a thousand years! Therefore the German is simply used in its original form. German loan words: These are German words for which no succinct English translation exists.

German words in english