LL-L "Etymology" 2007.10.10 (02) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  -  10 October 2007 - Volume 01
Song Contest: lowlands-l.net/contest/ (- 31 Dec. 2007)
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From: Arthur Jones <arthurobin2002 at yahoo.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2007.10.09 (06) [E]

Meene Dameseneeren,

I regret to inform all of you that, no doubt in the cause of gentility,
culture and raffinesse, M. Hahn has misinterpreted the very etymology of
"Schlappschwanz", and, to be sure, quite unforgivably. The connotative
message in the magic term in question is not that of a *floppy
tail*(Slappsteert), but rather that of a male human whose hormones
and/or blood
circulation facilities have disappointed him (and possibly others) in the
nether regions. A frequently used synonym is "Gummipimmel".

For M. Hahn to have exhibited such cultural and historical ignorance in this
fashion probably suggests that his forebears participated in the
*Voelkerwanderung
*from Hamburg into their deserved exile in Wilhelmsburg: over the channel
and into the seventh Hell.

But we, of course, will forgive him.

Arthur
ARTHUR A. JONES

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From: R. F. Hahn < sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

OK, OK, Arthur. You may be sitting on the proverbial etymological high horse,
but be aware that these days Schlappschwanz is not used in that way, no
matter how much you may wish it were.

Indeed, Willemsborg/Wilhelmsburg has never been an address to print on your
calling card. This Elbe island became a part of Hamburg as recently as in
1938. It used to be Hamburg's main milk cow. After annexation it came to be
used as a depository (or should I say "suppository") not only of Hamburg's
more polluting industry but also of its unwanted huddled masses, people you
didn't want to see in the more prestigious parts of town: working class
people, immigrants and emigrants, and lately "foreigners" (currently ca. 15%
of the population). (Most of the shops in the street in which I grew up now
have Turkish signs on them.)

But -- hey! -- just like my ignorance -- I wear it as a badge of honor these
days.

What was that? Did your high horse just fart, or what?

Kumpelmenten,
Reinhard/Ron

•

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