German Switzerland

bünzli

Word USED On Occasion BY Most People

(n.) • A "bünzli" is a person who follows rules at all times and wants others to follow them, too. It's usually also associated with people of higher socioeconomic status or older people. It has a partial overlap in meaning with the English slang term "Karen" in that a "bünzli" will also talk to a manager (or some kind of higher official) if something isn't done their way.

"Mi nochber isch sone bünzli. Är het gest dr polizei aglüte weil mr am 22:30 ufem balkon musik glost hän."

"My neighbor is such a bünzli. He called the police yesterday because we were listening to music on our balcony at 10:30pm."

Dutch Netherlands

boven water

Expression USED Frequently BY Most People

(above water) • Something that was lost or hidden that has now been found again.

"Zijn de belastingpapieren al weer boven water?"

"Are the tax papers above water again?"

Scots Scotland

tae greet

Word USED On Occasion BY Most People

(v.) • Meaning 'to cry'

"Shut yer weesht an stop yer greetin ye eejit!"

"Shut up and stop crying, you idiot"

French France

pompette

Word USED On Occasion BY Most People

(adj.) • Tipsy.

"Faites pas attention, je suis pompette."

"Don't mind me, I'm a little bit tipsy."

Spanish Various countries

cacerolazo

Word USED On Occasion BY Most People

(casserole ) • Comes from the word “cacerola” meaning "pan". It’s a form of peaceful protest in which protestors create noise by banging together pots and pans. The tradition began in medieval times to shame men who’d marry young girls. It was then taken on by French revolutionaries, and now protestors in Latin America.

“El descontento de la gente ha provocado cacerolazos en Argentina.”

“The people’s discontent has led to the banging on pots and pans in Argentina.”

English English speaking countries

to throw someone in at the deep end

Standard Phrase USED Frequently BY Most People

(v.) • To put someone into a new situation without enough preparation or introduction. Refers to the deep end of a swimming pool.

"They really threw me in at the deep end but I'm getting used to it now."

English English speaking countries

baptism of fire

Standard Phrase USED On Occasion BY Most People

Immediately having to cope with a stressful situation in order to improve.

"How was your first driving lesson?" "It was a bit of a baptism of fire but I enjoyed it."

Danish Denmark

tandsmør

Standard Phrase USED On Occasion BY Most People

(tooth butter) • Butter spread so thick that you leave teeth marks in it when you take a bite.

"Jeg elsker hjemmelavet brød med tandsmør."

"I love homemade bread with a thick layer of butter."

English English speaking countries

hangry

Portmanteau USED On Occasion BY Most People

(adj.) • To be angry or irritated because of hunger.

"Can you hurry up? I'm starting to get hangry."

English United Kingdom

#ClapForCarers

Hashtag USED In the past BY Most People

Hashtag used to express gratitude for NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Refers to the act of clapping outside your house at 8pm on a Thursday night.

"A special #ClapForCarers will take place at 5pm today as we say happy birthday to our precious NHS."

Spanish Argentina

boludo

Word USED Very frequently BY Most People

(n.) • It's originally an insult meaning dumb or idiot, but it's also frequently used with friends.

"Che boludo, ¿cómo andás?"

"Hey boludo, how are you going?"

Dutch Netherlands

de les lezen

Expression USED On Occasion BY Most People

(to read the lesson) • To lecture someone.

“Ga je mij nou echt de les lezen over goed gedrag?”

“Are you really going to read me the lesson on good behavior?”

French France

le lendemain de cuite

Standard Phrase USED On Occasion BY Most People

The day after a night of drinking.

"Un burger bien fat en lendemain de cuite n'est en fait pas une très bonne idée."

"Eating a big fatty burger the night after drinking isn't a very good idea."

French Paris, France

bobo

Slang USED Frequently BY Most People

(n.) • A shortened version of the word 'bourgeois-bohème', meaning a middle-class person with money and liberal, left-wing political views. They are often seen as trendy and intellectual, but in a way that is performative. It is often said in a derogatory way.

"Le nouveau restaurant végan va attirer les bobos."

"The new vegan restaurant will attract the bobos."

Dutch | Rotterdams Rotterdam, Netherlands

krotenkoker

Word USED On Occasion BY Most People

(n.) • (beet cooker) • Stupid person; weirdo; asshole

“Let eens op waar je loopt man, krotenkoker!“

“Watch where you're walking, beet cooker!“

Dutch Netherlands

het zekere voor het onzekere nemen

Expression USED On Occasion BY Most People

(to take the certain before the uncertain) • To take the safest option

“Moet ik m’n jas meenemen of zal ik ‘m hier laten?” “Ik zou het zekere voor het onzekere nemen”

“Should I take my jacket or should I leave it here?” “I would take the certain before the uncertain”

German | Austrian Austria

servus

Interjection USED Frequently BY Most People

(interj.) • It is a way of saying hello and/or bye that's only used in informal settings (e.g. with friends or family).

"Servus! Wie geht's? Lange nicht mehr gesehen!"

"Hi! How are you? Long time no see!"

Polish Poland

guzik prawda!

Interjection USED Very frequently BY Most People

(button truth) • An expression used when the speaker strongly disagrees with a statement.

"Pieniądze szczęścia nie dają." "Guzik prawda!"

"Money can't buy happiness." "Button truth!"

French French speaking countries

avoir un cheveu sur la langue

Expression USED On Occasion BY Most People

(to have a hair on one's tongue) • To lisp.

"J'ai l'impression que beaucoup d'enfants ont un cheveu sur la langue quand ils parlent."

"It seems that many children have a lisp when they speak."

Polish Poland

Francja elegancja

Expression USED Frequently BY Most People

(France elegance) • Expression used to describe something extremely elegant and awe-inspiring. It can also be used sarcastically to describe something pretentious.

"Nawet ma swoje własne kino domowe. Francja elegancja!"

"He even has his own home theater. France elegance!"