Swiss-German Words of the Year
Wörter des Jahres (CH)
Switzerland's German Words of the Year: 2003-2005
with English definitions/explanations
Wörter des Jahres (CH)
Switzerland's German Words of the Year: 2003-2005
with English definitions/explanations
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German Words 1 > GfdS > Word List > Swiss Words
Below you'll find the Swiss-German top-ranked words and expressions for 2003-2005 with an English explanation for expressions that may not be obvious to English-speakers. You'll also find links to the Austrian and Liechtenstein words of the year.
Also see the German Words of the Year
Die Wörter des Jahres 2005 - CH
WORT des JAHRES 2005 (Schweiz)
Aldisierung, die - Similar to "Wal-Mart"-ification, a word reflecting a Swiss trend away from "quality" and specialized retailers, and towards low prices and mass retail. Aldi is a German chain of discount stores that has been moving into Switzerland.
Rivalitätsprinzip, das - The "rivalry principle" is a word derived from the increasing tendency of Swiss Bundesrat lawmakers to outmaneuver each other in a quest for publicity and credit for legislation.
Nulltoleranz, die - Originally connected to Swiss ice hockey's "zero tolerance" for breaking the rules, the term was extended to refer to a general crack-down on law or rule-breakers in Swiss society.
Stallpflicht, die - Refers to the requirement that fowl be kept enclosed in a Stall (coop, enclosure, stall) to help prevent the spread of bird flu (die Vogelgrippe, an Austrian Word of the Year).
Barrage, die - This French/English word is used in soccer to refer to certain play-off games in the run-up to the World Cup (WM). This word came into prominence when Switzerland played Turkey in November 2005 to qualify for the 2006 WM.
Tsunami, der - Also a Word of the Year in Germany.
UNWORT des JAHRES: erlebnisorientierte Fans - The euphemistic phrase "adventure-oriented fans" was used by the Zurich police to refer to Swiss soccer rioters or hooligans. The term was criticized for being a prime example of a word that confuses rather than clarifies its meaning.
SATZ des JAHRES: Deutschland, wir kommen! - This was the most common headline seen in German-Swiss newspapers after Switzerland won a dramatic game to qualify for the World Cup. (See "Barrage" above.)
Source: www.chwort.ch
Die Wörter des Jahres 2004 - CH
WORT des JAHRES 2004 (Schweiz)
meh Dräck - This phrase ("more dirt") was coined by the Swiss TV show host Chris von Rohrs, originally as a request that performing contestants be less artificial and more natural. The phrase soon became a Swiss catchphrase for just about any situation.
Spuckaffäre die - The "spit affair" grew out of an incident during a soccer match between Switzerland and England. The Swiss player Alex Frei at first denied he had spit on an English player. But TV cameras had captured the incident and Frei's lie was exposed. On top of that, people involved with the Swiss soccer federation and Swiss TV came under criticism for trying to cover up the lie.
Kopftuchverbot das - The French debate over banning Muslim head scarves in public schools spilled over into Switzerland.
Sahlenweidli das - The name of a Swiss farm house in the Emmental ("Swiss cheese valley") became famous when Swiss TV (DRS) broadcast a reality show with a family living the way rural people used to in the 1800s.
Krawattentragverbot das - Another "Verbot," this time banning the wearing of ties! During the world economic summit in Davos attendees who were caught wearing a tie had to pay a five-franc fine. As a result, about 15,000 Swiss francs went to UNICEF.
Jugo der - This derogatory term for residents of the former Yugoslavia became an unfortunate sign of the Swiss debate over foreigners and immigration.
Fürsorgestopp der - The Swiss federal government shifted the burden of social aid for asylum-seekers to the cantons in 2004. The word reflects a "freeze" (i.e., decrease) in the benefits of the Swiss "social state."
UNWORT des JAHRES: Ökoterror der - The use of the word "eco-terror" by Zurich's mayor against a group's efforts to stop a planned shopping center was judged an abuse of the language.
SATZ des JAHRES: Switzerland - zero points - The phrase of the year reflects Swiss shock over their candidate's poor performance in Eurovision's "MusicStar" contest. The fact that the Swiss contestant did not receive a single point and failed to qualify for the final round was seen as a reflecton of a growing Swiss identity crisis and the country's isolation in Europe.
Die Wörter des Jahres 2003 - CH
WORT des JAHRES 2003 (Schweiz)
Konkordanz die - This word comes out of Swiss politics and the Swiss preference for compromise over confrontation. It describes the results of the Swiss national elections on December 10, 2003. In standard German the word is used more in the scientific context of concordance.
Rentenklau der - slogan of the Swiss labor unions in their fight to prevent cuts in pension benefits; used earlier in Germany; the slang word Klau comes from the verb klauen, "to steal."
Vereinzelungsanlage die - ironic nickname for a new entry system in the Swiss parliament (Bundeshaus) that allows only one person at a time to enter, even legislators
Segelnation die - Landlocked Switzerland, the "ski nation," became the "sailing nation" when a Swiss team led by Ernesto Bertarelli won the America's Cup in 2003.
SARS/Sars das - the worldwide disease outbreak (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
Jahrhundertsommer der - The 2003 heat wave was also felt in Switzerland.
metrosexuell adj. - refers to men like the soccer star David Beckham who worry about their looks and sometimes may be taken for gay but whose sexual preferences are hetero
Super League die - Chosen mostly in protest of the overuse of Anglicisms in German, this is the new term for the top Swiss soccer (Fussball) league, formerly known as die Nationalliga A.
Scheininvalide die - Das "Unwort des Jahres" (the un-word of the year), this term was regarded by the jury as an insult to all Swiss disabled people.
SATZ des JAHRES: Wählt Blocher! Er hat diese Strafe verdient. "Elect Blocher! He deserves this punishment." - Franz Hohler in the Oct. 29, 2003 Tages-Anzeiger
MORE > German Words of the Year + GfdS >
Part 1 > Part 2 > Word List > Swiss Words
WEB > www.oewort.at - Austrian Words of the Year
WEB > www.gfds.de - German Words of the Year
WEB > www.wort.li - Liechtenstein Words of the Year
WEB > www.chwort.ch - Swiss Words of the Year
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