We have an old language here called “Masematte”, “masso umattan”, (jidd.). It was the language of people of no fixed abode, migrant workers, a mixture of German, Jiddisch, Roma and Sinti words, thieves’ argot (ling.).
There are 2 similar sounding words to describe things as either “good” or “not so good/suboptimal”.
They are “Jovel” = :-) and “Schofel “= :-(
That said, here comes the joke my mum told me several times:
My mum’s best friend's pet name was “Plantschi”, short form of “Plantschkuh”. 1x1 translation would be “splash – cow”.
It is a slang for hippopotamus.
So, "Plantschi" was huge.
One day “Plantschi” came to school with a red dress with big white circles which made her look even bigger.
So my mum said: “Wow, Plantschi, you are looking “schofel” today.”
Plantschi with a red face beaming with joy:
“Yea, nice dress, is not it?”
Plantschi does not speak Masematte.
|