N

näbenand, adv.,

nebeneinander, side by side, close together, or as they say in Canada 'side by each'; also näbenenand, and näbenenander

Näbu, m.,

Nebel, m., fog; Näbuloch, n., a complementary name for the Nideramt

Nachthafe, m.,

Nachtgeschirr, n., chamber-pot; see also Häfi

Nachthuuri, n.,

Eule, f., owl; fig. eine ungepflegte Person, a dishevelled person

nächethär, adv.

nachher, afterwards, also nächethäre, also nächer

nächti, adv.,

gestern abend, yesterday evening; vornächti, adv., vorgestern abend, the evening before yesterday

Nägeli, n.,

Nelke, f., Gewürznelke, f., carnation, dianthus, clove; Schteinägeli, n., Bartnelke, f., Sweet William, dianthus barbatus

Näggi, n.,

bleibender körperlicher oder geistiger Schaden, a permanent physical or mental injury; es Näggi ha, behindert sein, to have a disability; also a facial tic, ein Gesichtszucken, n.; also in the sense of having a monkey on your back, to have a permanent problem

näh, v.t.,

nehmen, to take; see conjugation table

näie, v.t., v.i.,

nähen, to sew, to stitch; Näimaschine, f., Nähmaschine, sewing machine; Näiere, f., Näherin, f., seamstress

nang, indecl. pron.,

einander, one another; nang d'Hand gäh, sich die Hände reichen, to hold hands; häufet nang, helft einander, help one another; näbenang, nebeneinander, side by side; mitenang, miteinander, together; dürenang, durcheinander, pell-mell; binang, (also binenang), beeinander, together; hingerenang, hintereinander, behind each other; nachenang, nacheinander, after each other; vonenang, voneinander, apart from each other; also enang, enand; löht enang losii, laßet einander in Frieden, leave each other alone

Näpi, name

Bonaparte, Napoleon (1769-1821); he who walked right over us, and thereby changed things; the one they meant when they said Pfiifelampenöu! (vive l'Empereur!); vergl. also Engl. nap (Napoleon) in card games

Näschthöck, m.,

Nesthäkchen, youngest of the brood, baby of the family

Naselumpe, m.,

Taschentuch, n., handkerchief; see also Fazolettli

Nastüechli, n.,

Taschentuch, n., handkerchief

Negeli, n.,

kleiner Nagel, m., small nail; if larger, it is Nagu, m.; and if it's Nägeli, it's a carnation, q.v.

nei, adv.,

nein, no; aber nei! nicht doch! no, indeed! nenei, adv., bestimmt nicht, certainly not; jo nei, eigentlich nicht, actually not

Nenny, n.,

Großmutter, f., grandma; sometimes also mother; vergl. English nanny

nid, adv.,

nicht, not; i weises nid, ich weiß es nicht, I don't know it; gar nid, durchaus nicht, by no means, not at all, not in the least; nid emou, nicht einmal, not even; nid wohr? nicht wahr? isn't it? also pronounced nit, for emphasis: I wott nit

Nidle, f.,

Sahne f., cream; gschwungni Nidle, Schlagsahne, f. Schlagrahm, m., whipped cream; Nidle schwinge, Sahne schlagen, to whip cream

nidsi, adv.,

abwärts, downward, downwards; nidsi loufe macht eim ou müed, abwärts gehen macht auch müde, walking downhill is also tiring; opposite of absi, q.v.

niemee, adv.,

nie wieder, never again, nunca mas; see also nümme

niemer, pron.,

niemand, nobody; also niemert, s'het's niemer ghört, keiner hat es gehört, no one heard it, which is what my great-grandfather said when he forgot to ring the churchbells in Erlinsbach, (Schpöiz, q.v.)

niene, adv.,

nirgends, nowhere, anywhere; s'het niene keni, es hat nirgends welche, there aren't any anywhere

no, adv.,

noch, still, yet; no hüt, noch heute, this very day; no nie, noch nie, never before; noni, noch nicht, not yet; nomou, nochmals, once more; no öppis? noch etwas? anything else?; was wotsch no meh? (also was wottisch no?), was möchtest du noch? what more do you want?

nobis, adv.,

nein, no; a definite Bernese no in the spirit of nothin' doin', keineswegs

noche, adj., pref., prep.,

in the expression s'isch noche, es ist an der Zeit, it is time; s'wär öppe wider noche, dass zum Gwafför giengsch, du solltest mal wieder zum Friseur, it's about time for you to go to the barber;

also used as prefix with many verbs and some nouns, in the sense of the German nach; chunsch noche? kriegst du das mit? do you get it?; mach's noche! mach du's! you try it!; one could also say machs nah, which is what they guy who built the Berner Münster said;

as a prep. it is pronounced nach, as in German); nach zwänzg Minute, nach 20 Minuten, after (in) 20 minutes; nach Bärn, Richtung Bern, to Berne

nochechoo, v.i.,

begreifen, mitbekommen, to get it, to stay on message

nochegä, v.i.,

zugestehen, gewähren, nachgeben, einwilligen, to yield, to give in, to consent, to acquiesce; also in the sense of lindern, to abate, dr Schmärz het nocheggäh, die Schmerzen haben sich gelindert, the pain abated

nocheloh, v.i.,

nachlassen, to give up, to flag, to decline; är het nochegloh, er kommt von Kräften, he is declining

nocheluege, v.t.,

nachsehen, to look up; muesch es im Lexikon nocheluege, du mußt es im Lexikon nachschlagen, look it up in the encyclopedia; see also luege

nochemache, v.t.,

nachmachen, nachahmen, to copy, to imitate, to mimic

nohdisnoh, adv.,

nach und nach, little by little, gradually

nöime, adv.,

irgendwo, somewhere; mir si nöimenanders häre, wir gingen anderswo hin, we went somewhere else

nonemou, adv.

nochmals, abermals, once again, once more; see also under no

noni, contr., adv.

noch nicht, not yet; see also under no

noosche, v.i.

stöbern, wühlen, fummeln, durcheinanderbringen, to rummage, to fumble, to mix up; inere Schublade noosche, in einer Schublade nach etwas suchen, to fumble for something in a drawer; see also Gnoosch

Nöötli, n.,

geringwertige Banknote, f., low-denomination bill, Föifernöötli, n., 5-Frank bill., n., abwertigerweise auch Hunderter-Nöötli, n., also, depreciatorily, 100 Frank Note

Nörgeli, m.,

Nörgeler, m., Krittler, m., fault-finder, mal-content, nag

Noudi, m.,

Arnold

Nöugg, m.,

Narr, m., fool; vergl. French narguer, v.t.; Nöuggerei, f., Narrenspiel, n., japery

nöugge, v.t.,

zum Narren halten, zum Besten halten, täuschen, verspotten, to trick, to fool, to taunt, to make a fool of, to jape

nuele, v.i.,

wühlen, herumstöbern, durchsuchen, to rummage

Nuggi, m.,

Schnuller, m., Lutscher, m., Pacifier, soother (Canadien English); pl. Nuggine; also: dä het dr Nuggi usegschpöit, er hat das Zeitliche gesegnet, he kicked the bucket; nuggele, nuckeln, to suck

nume, adv. part.,

nur, only; machit nume, laßt euch nicht stören, don't let us disturb you; nume hüt, nur heute, only today; nume no, nur noch, only; göht numenafe, geht schon, go already

nümme, adv.,

nicht mehr, nimmermehr, no more

Nummero, n.,

Nummer, f., number; also Nummere, f.; vergl. Italian numero; es Telefon Nummero, eine Telephon Nummer, a phone number

nürze, vi.,

greinen, quengeln, motzen, to whine, to moan; reminds you of someone continually asking for the nurse

nüschele, v.i.,

nuscheln, undeutlich sprechen, näseln, to slur one's words, to speak through the nose, to mumble; a Nüscheli, m., jemand, der näselt, one who speaks with a nasal twang

Nussgipfu, m.,

mit Nussteig gefülltes Gebäck in Form eines Croissants; a pastry in crescent shape, filled with a nut-based mass; try it, you'll like it; see also Gipfeli

Nüssler, m.,

Feldsalat, m., (Valerianella locusta), a type of field lettuce, lamb’s lettuce; Nüsslisalat, a salad made thereof; Fr. mâche, f., also doucette, raipouce, Rapunzel

nüüt, indef. pron.,

nichts, nothing; dasch nüüt für me, das geht mir nicht, that's not for me; für nüüt und wider nüüt, für nichts und wieder nichts, for no earthly reason; nüüt für unguet, Verzeihung!, don't take it amiss; es macht nüüt, es macht nichts, never mind; dasch de nümme nüüt! das ist bemerkenswert! that's really something!

Nüüteli, n.,

in the expression ‚es goldigs Nüüteli‘, ein goldenes Nichts, a golden nothing

nüütelig, adj.,

wertlos, schal, dürftig, worthless, cheap, flimsy

O

öb, conj.,

ob, if, whether; öb's wohr sig, ob es wahr sei, if it be true

Obe, m.,

Abend, m., evening; pl. Öbe; zObe, in the evening; see also Zobe; not related to obe (adv.) which has a short o and means oben, above, overhead

obedri, adv.,

oben hinein, into the top; (the German adv. obendrein means over and above, in addition)

obedüre, adv., sep. pref.,

oben entlang, auf der oberen Seite, along the top, over

obenabe, adv., sep. pref.,

von oben nach unten, von oben herab, from high to low, from up above; also a variation of the Swiss card game Jass

obenine, adv.,

obenhinein, in der Höhe, over us, in higher reagions; obenine het's gschneit, in higher elevations it snowed

obsi, adv.,

aufwärts, upward, upwards

Obsifrisuur, f.,

eine nach oben gerichtete Frisur; a hair-do built upwards, as our mothers liked it in the twenties and thirties

Occasion, f.,

Gelegenheit, f., Gebrauchtartikel, secondhand object; anOccasion, ein Gebrauchtartikel, m., a secondhand item; pl. Occasione

Ohregrübler, m.,

Ohrwurm, m., earwig

Öili, n.,

Öse, f., eyelet; vergl. French oeillet; Häftli und Öili, Haken, m. und Ösen, f.pl., hook and eye

öis, pers. pron.,

see üs

Oktoberli, n. pl.,

Herbstastern, f., Michaelmas-daisies; aster amellus, etc.

Ooschterglogge, f.,

Narzisse, f., daffodil; lit. “Easter bell”

öppe, adv., emotive part.

ungefähr, etwa, irgend, gelegentlich, approximately, occasionally; het öppenöpper öppis wöue? wollte etwa jemand was? did perchance anybody want anything?; me mues haut öppe go luege, man muß halt von Zeit zu Zeit nachsehen, one has to keep an eye on it from time to time; öppe zwänzg, ungefähr zwanzig, about twenty

öppedie, adv.,

gelegentlich, von Zeit zu Zeit, at times, occasionally; är isch öppedie verbicho, er kam gelegentlich vorbei, he came by from time to time

öppeneinisch, adv.,

gelegentlich, von Zeit zu Zeit, at times, occasionally; muesch öppeneinisch Öu wächsle, from time to time you have to do an oil change

öpper, indef. pron.,

jemand, somebody; bi öpperem vorbigoh, jemanden besuchen, to go see somebody

öppis, indef. pron.,

etwas, something; wotsch öppis? möchtest du was? do you want something

Orangsche, f.,

Apfelsine, f., Orange, f., orange

orangschig, adj.,

orangenfarbig, orange; anorangschige Pulover, m., eine orangene (orange-coloured) Strickjacke, f., an orange sweater; the German word for orange is Apfelsine, f., since oranges are not indigenous to Germany, but it is gradually being replaced by Orange, f., as is the case for Pampelmuse/Grapefruit

ordlig, adj.,

ordentlich, orderly, proper; sig ordlig! benimm dich! behave!; related to the expression heb Ornig, q.v.; a mildly repressive word at the beginning, but with great potential for a more intrusiv Swissness; adv., really, properly; ziemlich; es isch ordli (or ordlig, or ordeli) heiss hüt, ziemlich heiss heute, it's rather hot today

Ornig, f.,

Ordnung, f., order; Ornig mache, to clean up; heb Ornig! benimm dich! behave!; see also ordlig

Otti, m.,

Otto

ou, adv.,

auch, also, too; chunsch ou? kommst du auch mit? are you coming along as well?; ou das no, auch das noch, and now this too; du ou! du auch! same to you!; ig ou nid, ich auch nicht, neither am I; worum de ou? warum denn auch? what for?

Ougschte, m.,

August

Outöli, n.,

kleines Auto, small car; es munzigs Outöli, ein ganz kleines Auto, a very small car

P

Pärli, n.,

Paar, n., pair, couple, two of a kind; es Pärli, zwei Verliebte, two lovers, a couple; es Pärli Wienerli, two franks; (but when it comes to shoes it is es Paar, ein Paar, a pair)

pfupfe, v.i.,

dumpf detonieren, to make a puffing, thumping sound; Pfupf, m., Bums, m., thump; vergl. German puffen, whence some more vulgar meanings

pfurre, v.i.,

ziellos umherhasten; to fart around, to scurry; Pfurri, m., he who so comports himself; see also aapfurre

Pfuus, m.,

Elektrischer Strom, m., electrical current; the term is used mainly by electricians (other people say Schtroom)

Pfuuscht, f.,

Faust, f., fist; further east also Fuuscht; Pfuuscht mache, die Faust machen, to make a fist; pfuuschte, v.i., fig. wettern, toben to curse, to hit the table with the fist); also fuuschte

pfuuse, v.i., coll.

schlafen, to sleep; slang, otherwise schloofe; vergl. Italian far le fusa, to purr

Pfuusibacke, f.,

Pausbacken, f., chubby cheeks (as on a cherub), blowzy cheeks; vergl. German pusten

Pinggu, m.,

Lümmel, m., lout, prick; Pinggeli, n.,dim.

Pinte, f.,

Schenke, f., tavern; if it is a small place, it may be a Pintli, n.

Pintli, n.,

Kännchen, n., small can; Ööupintli, n., oil can; vergl. English pint

Pischama, n.,

Schlafanzug, m., pajamas, (sometimes pyjamas); accent can be on the i or the first a

Pitöterli, n.,

Feuerzeug, n., lighter; from French peut-être

plampe, v.i.,

baumeln, bammeln, herabhängen, to dangle, to hang, to sway; hin und här plampe, to swing back and forth

Plämpu, m.,

Pendel, n. or m., pendulum; but a Pendeluhr, pendulum-clock, is a Pandüle, from French pendule, f.

plange, v.i.,

ungeduldig erwarten, ersehnen, to long for, to await impatiently; uf öpper plange, jemanden mit Sehnsucht erwarten, to long for someone

plantsche, v.i.,

planschen, to splash

pläre, v.i.,

weinen, to weep, to blubber; evokes a little more pity than brüele, q.v.; vergl. French pleurer, German plärren (rare)

Platsch, m.,

Schuß (Wasser), m., splash (of water); in German used as an interjection: platsch!, splash!; in Swiss a noun describing a dash of spilled liquid, or the sound of it happening; see also Gutsch

platschvou, adj.,

bis zum Rande voll, full to the brim; platschvoll

Plättli, n., s. and pl.,

Fliese f., Kachel, f., tile, paving stone, m.; Plättlibode, m., Fliesenfußboden, m., tiled floor

plegere, v.i.,

faulenzen, fläzen, sich ausstrecken, to lounge, to loll, to loaf

Remember the fabulous poem by August Kopish:

Wie war zu Köln es doch vordem

Mit Heinzelmännchen so bequem!

Denn, war man faul, man legte sich

Hin auf die Bank und pflegte sich.

(How neat it was in days of yore

When elves looked after every chore!

If you felt lazy any day

You went to bed and dreamt away)

That’s plegere.

vergl. German Lager, n., lägerig, bettlägerig

Plouderi, m.,

Plauderer, m., Schwätzer, m., Plaudertasche f., chatterbox, blab

Pnö, m.,

Reifen, m., tire, elsewhere tyre; from French pneu, m.

Pöili, m.,

Paul

Pomerli, n.,

eine dicke, kurze Person, f., a stout, short person (endearingly); vergl. French pomme

pöpperle, v.i.,

pochen, to knock; but gently, as on a window rather than on a door; also böpperle

Portmonee, n.,

Geldbeutel, m. wallet; from French Porte-monnaie, m.

Poschettli, n.,

Taschentuch, n., pocket handkerchief; vergl. French pochette

poschte, v.i.,

Einkäufe machen, to shop (groceries); gosch go poschte? gehst du einkaufen? are you going shopping?

Pöschteler, m.,

Briefträger, m., Postbote, m., postman, mailman; isch dr Pöschteler scho choo? war der Briefträger schon hier? has the mailman been here?

Poschterli, n.,

Vogelscheuche, f., Popanz, m., scarecrow; perhaps because one posts it in fields; see also Haaghuuri

potztuusig!, int.

ei der Tausend! wow!

Pöueli, n.,

Pille, f., pill

prägle, v.i.,

prasseln, crackle, to patter, to rattle, as of hail against a window, or the sound produced by spilling a bucket of nuts on the kitchen floor; v.t., braten (in einer Pfanne), to fry (in a skillet)

Präglete, f.,

ein Haufen, m., eine Menge, f., a great number of, a lot; a ganzi Präglete, ein Haufen, jede Menge, a whole heap, lots; see also Schwetti, which is similar but wetter

Pralinee, n.,

Praline, f., chocolates; accent on the a (in German on the i); e Schachtle Pralinee, eine Schachtel Pralinen, a box of chocolates; vergl. French praline, f. (silent e)

preiche, v.t.,

treffen, to strike, to hit; het's di preicht? hat es dich getroffen, did you get hit?; mir heis guet preicht, wir hatten Glück, we were lucky; vergl. German Bereich, m.; Preichi, f., Treffsicherheit, f., accuracy of aim; Preichi ha, Treffsicherheit haben, to have good aim; hesch ke Preichi? kannst du das Ziel nicht treffen? can't you hit the target?

prichte, v.t.,

erzählen, berichten, mitteilen, to recount, to tell (a story); Prichti, m., Schwätzer, m., talker; see also Plouderi; also brichte

Pur, m.,

Bauer, m., farmer; Purli, n., kleiner Bauer, small farmer; also Bauer in a deck of cards

purlimunter, adj.,

putzmunter, quicklebendig, chipper, lively, wide awake, vivacious

Purscht, m.,

Bursche, m., youth, fellow; in age between e Bueb and a Maa

Putsch, m.,

Puff, m., Knuff, m., Stoß, m., cuff, push, shove; putsche, v.t., stoßen, to shove; eim a Putsch gäh, jemanden knuffen, to cuff someone; vergl. German Putsch, which means, however, coup or uprising

putze, v.t.,

putzen, to clean; also fig. är het em eis putzt, er hat ihn verkloppt, he hit him; wenn dä Droht aalängsch de putzt's dr eis, wenn du diesen Draht berührst, kriegst du einen Schlag, if you touch this wire you will get a shock; und wennd Päch hesch, de putzt's di grad, und wenn du Pech hast, bist du tot, and if you are unlucky, you're dead; also in the sense of to win, gewinnen: hesch putzt? hast du gewonnen? did you win? (fig. did you clean up)

Putzete, f.,

Reinigung, f., Reinemachen, n., cleaning; Früeligsputzete, f., Frühlingreinigung, f., jährliche Reinigung, Spring cleaning

püüsse, v.t.,

flitzen, schnellen, schnippen, to flick; vergl. French pousser; zum Beispiel das Schnippen der Spielmarken beim Flohspiel, for instance the flicking of the chips in the children’s game Tiddledy Winks

Q

Quittebäschtli, n. pl.,

see Chüttenebäschtli

R

Rääbe, f.,

Steckrübe,f., Bodenkohlrabi, m., weiße Rübe, turnip, rape; also used for rutabaga (yellow turnip)

Rabättli, n.,

Geiferlätzchen, n., bib; see also Ässmänteli; also Rabatte, f., Blumenbeet, n., Zierbeet, n., flower-bed, flower-border

rabauzig, adj.,

unbändig, lärmig, unruly, noisy; e rabauzigi Bandi, eine lärmige Bande, a noisy gang; vergl. German Rabatz, m., rabantern, v.i.

Räbeliechtli, n. pl.,

Laternen aus ausgehöhlten Rüben, lanterns made from hollowed turnips; Räbeliechtliumzug, m., Lichter-Umzug von Rübenlaternen, a cortège of turnip-lanterns

räble, v.i.,

lärmen, to romp, to make a racket (when you shouldn't); hör uf räble! sei bloß still! stop this racket!

Räbu, m.,

abgemagerte Person, unterentwickeltes Wesen, skinny person, underdeveloped animal or plant; Räbeli, n., armes Wesen, n., wretch; verräble, v.i., darben, erliegen, to succumb, to famish

Räf, n.,

Reff, n., Traggestell, n., frame for carrying loads on the back; vergl. Engl. raft; also used to describe an overly aggressive and irritating person, a shrew, ein Zankteufel, m.

rägele, v.i.,

nieseln, leicht regnen, to drizzle, to rain lightly and steadily; rägne, v.i., regnen, to rain; Räge, m., Regen, m., rain; Rägeschirm, m., Schirm, m., umbrella

Raglete, f.,

ein Haufen, m., eine Menge, f., a lot, a heap; die hei e ganzi Raglete Chind, sie haben eine ganze Reihe Kinder, they have a whole gang of kids

rämple, v.i.,

sich beklagen, reklamieren, to complain, to object; see also aarämple, v.t.; vergl. German rempeln, which is, however, more physical (to jostle, to shove

Rande, f.,

Rübe, f., Bete, f., beetroot; this is the edible red beet (Beta vulgaris)

rangge, v.i.,

sich hin- und herbewegen, sich winden, unruhig sein, to squirm, to wriggle, to fidget; hör uuf rangge! bleib still! sit still!; a Ranggi, m., ein Zappelfritz, m., one who cannot sit still, a fidget

rangschiere, v.t.,

rangieren, to shunt, to switch, (as in Rangierbahnhof, switching yard, marshalling yard); from French ranger, to arrange, but the French call it trier, as in gare de triage; see also usrangschiere

ränke, v.t.,

steuern, to steer; vergl. German Rank, m.; dr Rank finde, eine Lösung finden, to find a way

Rappe, m.,

Centime, m., Schweizer Pfennig, m., Swiss cent; also a black horse, German Rappen, m.; a white horse would be Schimmu, m., German Schimmel, m., (if dappled = Öpfuschimmu, Apfelschimmel)

räre, v.i.,

das R rollen (in der Kehle), to roll one's R (gutturally); considered desirable in German, but somewhat odd in Swiss

räss, adj.,

scharf gewürzt, pikant, hot (spicy), piquant; fig. scharf, caustic; vergl. German dialect resch

rätsche, v.i., v.t.,

petzen, verpetzen, verraten, to rat, to snitch, to tell tales; also verrätsche, q.v.

recke, v.i.,

in combinations such as icherecke, hineinreichen, to reach in; uferecke, hochreichen, to reach up; from German reichen, v.t.

Redli, n.,

Rädchen, n., Rad, n., small wheel, wheel; dä het es Redli ab, dem fehlt eine Schraube, he is not quite there; one can also say Rad, pl. Reder; (pl. of Redli is Redli); vergl. German Rädchen, n. s. and pl., and Rad, n., pl. Räder

refüsiere, v.t.,

ablehnen, zurückweisen, verweigern, nicht akzeptieren, to refuse, to not accept; Briefe oder Pakete zurückweisen; to refuse to accept mail; vergl. French refuser

Regänt, m.,

jemand der gerne befiehlt, bully; vergl. German Regent

reifle, v.t.,

den Reif schlagen, mit dem Reifen spielen, radeln, v.i., to trundle or drive a hoop, to play with a hoop; fig. uf Aarau reifle, rasch nach Aarau gehen, to make a quick trip to Aarau

reise, v.i.,

steuern, to steer; also in the usual German sense of reisen, to travel

Rhüme, m.,

Schnupfen, m., a cold (in the medical sense); vergl. French rhume, m.

rible, v.t.,

schrubben, scheuern, to scour, to scrub

ribse, v.t.,

scheuern, schaben, kratzen, to chafe, to grate, to abrade; vergl. German reiben, which is, however, a less irritating action

Ribu, m.,

Dutt, m., Chignon, m., coil of hair, French roll (of hair), bun (of hair); perhaps from French rebours

ring, adj.,

mühelos, easy; mitem Kompiuter isch's ringer, mit dem Computer ist es leichter, it's easier with the computer; sgoht ring vo dr Hand, die Arbeit geht leicht von der Hand, the work progresses easily; perhaps from gering, trifling

ringhörig, adj.,

hellhörig, poorly soundproofed; ringhörigi Wänd und Böde, walls and floors that let noise pass; a ringhörigi Wonig, eine schlecht abgedichtete Wohnung, a poorly soundproofed apartment; (hellhörig also means alert, as in hellwach)

Rittigampfi, n.,

Wippe, f., Schaukelpferd, n., see-saw, rocking-horse

Rittiseili, n.,

Seilschaukel, f., Gautsche, f., swing

Rittwägeli, n.,

zweirädriger, einsitziger Einspänner, sulky (a two-wheeled carriage, one horse, one rider)

Röbi, m.,

Robert

rode, v.t.,

1. rühren, umrühren, to stir; vergl. French

roder

2. roden, to root out, to clear a wood to

make it arable

Röiu, m.,

Kater, m., tom-cat; see also Moudi

röndle, v.t.,

worfeln, to winnow, die Spreu vom Weizen scheiden, to separate the wheat from the chaff; it is done on a Röndle, f. (after threshing), Worfel, f., a big boxy machine on which you turn a crank which turns a big fan and rattles a set of graded sieves underneath, as a result of which things sort themselves out quite nicely, thank you, but you do get buffeted with dust; I think they call it Raundel, f., in the Schwarzwald, and if you can prove it you get honourable mentionl

Roof, m.,

Schorf, m., scab (of wound)

Rootbrüschtli, n.,

Rotkehlchen, n., a familiar bird, (erithacus rubecula), sometimes called european robin; but much smaller than the American robin (turdus migratorius); (there is a Rotbrüstchen, in German, but it is a south american Kolibri)

Rootchrutt, n.,

Rotkohl, m., red cabbage; also Rootchabis, m.

rösch, adj.,

gar geröstet, well roasted

Röschti, f.,

Röstkartoffeln, f., Bratkartoffeln nach Schweizer Art, hash browns;

How to make:

Use coarsly grated raw or boiled potatoes (if raw, dry the grated potatoes by wringing them out in a dishtowel) salt them, and fry them in a generous tad of Anke (q.v.) at low heat, covered with an upside down plate, no stirring, about 30 minutes. When done, flip onto the plate that you used as cover, in one fell swoop, and serve using a spoon upside down to cut out the portions, while muttering "sisch nume Röschti"; don't tell anybody about the garlic.

Rösi, n.,

Rosa; Rosie (the Riveter), Roz

Ross, n.,

Pferd, n., horse; s'Ross aaspanne, das Pferd anschirren, to hitch the horse; the German Pferd is not much used in Swiss, except in the word Schtäckepfärd, n., Steckenpferd, hobby-horse, hobby; Rössligschirr, n., Pferdegeschirr, n., harness, equipage; a Pfärd, n., in Swiss, is a pommel-horse, the vaulting-horse thing with two handles, where gymnasts toil

Rösslischpüu, n.,

Karussell, n., merry-go-round; also said of the brass in the army, because of all the golden trimming and braiding, see möschig, or of the upper management of a corporation; (in the old days, a Rösslischpüu was sometimes also called a Rittschueu, eine Reitschule)

rötuur, n.,

in the expression Rötuurbiliee, eine Fahrkarte hin und zurück, a return trip ticket; vergl. French un billet aller et retour; rötuur, adv., zurück, coming back; das chunt aus rötuur, das kommt alles wieder, it will all come back (to be fixed); Rötuure, f. pl., the things that were returned

Röueli, n.,

Rolle, f., roller, spool, roll; röuele, v.i., v.t., rollen, to roll; see also Rugeli, and rugele

rubelig, adj.,

geriffelt, rippled, corrugated, dimpled; Golfbäueli si rubelig; Golfbälle sind geriffelt

rübis und schtübis, adv.,

radikal, gänzlich, völlig, radically, completely, totally; mit Haut und Haar, mit Stumpf und Stiel, d'Chüngu hei dr Salaat rübis und schtübis ufgfrässe, die Kaninchen haben den Salat mit Stumpf und Stiel aufgefressen, the rabbits got the lettuce to the last leaf; also mit Chrut und Schteu

Rüebli, n.,

Karotten, f., carrots; Rüebliturte, f., Karotten-Torte, f., Karotten Kuchen, carrot cake

Ruech, m.,

Grobian, m., Raufbold, m., ruffian, bully, brawler, hooligan; rueche, v.i., ungestüm handeln, to act violently; see also ruuch; Wildfang, m.

rugele, v.t., v.i.,

rollen, to roll; dervo rugele, weg rollen, to roll away

Rugeli, n.,

see also Röueli, a cylindrical object capable of rolling away; at times said of persons so shaped

ruggle, v.t.,

ruckeln, hin und her wackeln

Rume, m.,

Ranft, m., Brotkruste, f., crust of bread; see also Brotrauft

Rumpf, m.,

Runzel, f., Falte, f., wrinkle, fold; German Rumpf, m., means trunk, torso

rumpusurig, adj.,

grantig, unwirsch, mürrisch, brummig, grumpy, huffy, cross, irritable, touchy; also rumpelsurig

rumpuusse, v.i.,

sich herumbalgen, to romp, to roughhouse; Rumpuussine, m., those who do it; a playful kind of wrestling; said mainly of children; accent is on the first u; vergl. French pousser

Rundumeli, n., (language for the young)

Kreis, m., circle;

Runggle, f.,

Runkelrübe, f., beet; the kind used for silage

rünne, v.i.,

lecken, Wasser durchlassen, rinnen, to leak

rüte, v.t.,

roden, to clear woodland for cultivation

ruuch, adj.,

rauh, grob, derb, rough, rude, coarse

Ruuchbroot, n.,

Schwarzbrot, n., dark bread; vergl. German rauh

Ruuschi, f.,

Wehr, n., weir, low dam across a river

S

s, def.art.,

das, the; s Wätter, das Wetter, the weather; s Beetli, Elizabeth, s Gouche Marie, Marie, welche bei Gauch arbeitet, Mary who is working at the Gauch's; s'guete Service, das bessere Geschirr, the better china

s, pers. Pron.

es, she, it; s chunt cho rägne, es gibt Regen, it will rain; s het sträng, sie hat viel Arbeit, she is working hard

saage, v.t.,

sägen, to saw; houz saage, Holz sägen, to saw wood, also fig. for schnarchen, to snore

Saagi, f.,

Säge, f., saw; Sägerei, f., sawmill

säb, dem. pron.,

jenes, selbes, that one; also säub; säb schtimmt, jenes ist wahr, that's true; vergl. German selbig, adj., or selb, adj.; säbzit, adv., damals, at that time

sädere, v.t.,

in the expression lo sädere, fallen lassen, fahren lassen, to drop, to let slip; i ha müesse s'Wäschpi abwehre, drum hani der Fruchtsalat lo sädere, ich mußte den Wespen wehren, darum ließ ich den Fruchtsalat fallen, I had to chase off the wasps, which is why I dropped the fruit-salad

säge, v.t.,

sagen, to say, tell; (säge is sagen, to say, but sage is sägen, to saw); was Dir nit säget! was Ihr nicht sagt! You don't say! sozäge, adj., sozusagen, so to speak, as it were; öpperem wüescht säge, jemanden rügen, to tell someone off, to reprimand someone

Sägeze, f.,

Sense, f., scythe; i mues go d'Sägeze dängele, süsch hout si de nüüt, ich muß die Sense dengeln, sonst haut sie nicht, I have to beat the scythe, otherwise it won't cut; (dängele is dengeln, v.t., to hammer on an anvil; wetze is wetzen, v.t., to whet, to sharpen with a whetstone, Wetzstein, m.)

sali, int.,

Hallo! hi!; familiar greeting; also salü; vergl. French salut!

Samichlaus, m.,

St. Niklaus, m., Santa Claus; pl. Samichlöis; his companion is Schmutzli. It may puzzle you why it is Santa and not Santo, since he has a beard. Fact is, however, that he is neither Italian nor Spanish, but Dutch, where he is Sinterklaas, sint meaning saint, and klaas Nicholas, and the ending a is a phonetic relic of the ending er.

Samschtig, m.,

Samstag, Saturday; also Samschti

sandele, v.i.,

im Sand spielen, to play in the sand; Sandchaschte, m., Sandkasten, sand-box

Sänkloch, n.,

Ablauf, m., Dole., stormdrain entry, gully

särbele, v.i.,

verkümmern, to waste away, to languish; also versärbele, dahinsiechen, to waste away; said more often of a plant than of a person

Schaaggi, m.,

Jacques, Jack

Schabi, m., coll.

Haarschneider, m., barber

Schabziger, m.,

Glarner Kräuterkäse, m., a spiced cheese from Glaris; really not edible unless mixed with Anke, in the humble opinion of an outsider

schaffe, v.i.,

arbeiten, to work, to toil; go schaffe, zur Arbeit gehen, to go to work; German schaffen would be 'erschaffe' in Swiss (to create); see also gschaffig

schäffele, v.i.,

müßig arbeiten, nicht ernsthaft arbeiten, to slack, to work lazily, to make believe you are working; see also blöterle

Schaft, m.,

Schrank, m., cupboard, closet; Chleiderschaft, m., Kleiderschrank, m., clothes closet; pl. Schäft

Schägg, m.,

Schecke, f., piebald or dappled animal; Schwizerschägg, m., eine gescheckte Kuh, a checkered cow; see also gschägget

Schalee, n.,

Sennhütte, f., chalet

Schämeli, n.,

Schemelchen, n., foot-stool

schampar, adv.,

äußerst, schrecklich, schauderhaft, extremely, awfully; from German schandbar, but with changed meaning; es tuet schampar weh, es mach grauenhaft weh, it hurts terribly

Schang, m.,

Hans, John; vergl. French Jean

Schänkeli, n. sing. and pl.,

süßes Gebäck für Weihnachtszeit und Fastnacht, sweet cookies for Christmas and Mardi Gras. Vergl. German Schenkel, m., thigh

How to make:

Whip 100 g butter, 250 g sugar, and 4 eggs, add a shot of Kirsch, 2 tbsp of cream or sour cream, pinch of salt and some lemon zest; mix with 250 to 300 g flour; rest dough to cool over night; roll to finger-size and point like a cigar at both ends; cook floating in medium hot oil (170 C) until golden; not too fast, or they will be brown outside and raw inside, not too slowly or they will be too fat; use a bland oil, vegetable, peanut, not olive; cookies should burst slightly; don't eat them, give them away.

schärbele, v.i.,

klirren, das Geräusch zerbrechenden Glases, to clatter, the sound of breaking glass; auch zur Beschreibung von etwas das in Stücke fällt; used also to describe something that's going to pieces; jetz hets gschärbelet, jetzt ist es geschehen, now it went wrong

Schärme, m.,

Obdach, n., Shelter; am Schärme, im Trockenen, n., out of the rain; vergl. German Schirm, Italian schermo

Schatzebohne, f.,

süßes Kind, sweat pea (fig.); one of the very few freebie Swiss terms of endearment; application normally limited to female infants of less than 10 kg gross weight

Schätzeli, n.,

Schatz, m., sweetheart, love, darling; see also Gschpusi;

Es chunnt e Bär.

Wo chunnt er här?

Wo wott er uus?

Is Schätzelis Huus!

Schäueli, n.,

kleine Glocke, kleine Kuhglocke, small bell, small cowbell; schäue, v.t., v.i., to ring a bell; schäuele, v.t., v.i., to ring a small bell; sTelefon schäuet, das Telephon läutet, the phone is ringing; vergl. German Schelle, f., schellen

schederle, v.t.,

in Scheiben schneiden, to slice

Schederli, n.,

kleine Scheibe, f., small slice; es Schederli Wurscht, a small slice of sausage; see also Schnifeli

Scheiche, m., (vulg.)

Bein, n., leg; normally called Bei, n.

Scheidwegge, m.,

Keil, m., wedge; a wedge used to split logs

Scheieli, n.,

Latte, f., Pfahl, m., f., Spindel, f., stake, slat, spindle; Gartehaagscheieli, n., Gartenhaglatte, f., garden fence stake (slat)

Scheseli, n.,

zweisitziger Einspänner, m., mit Verdeck, victoria, gig, two-seater buggy, covered, (as in horse and buggy); vergl. French chaise; there were many names for different types of these conveyances, or drays, such as Rittwägeli (one or two horses), Cabriole(t), Caleeschli (French calèche), Landauerli, Landau, phaeton) and even Gutsche (coach, for weddings and festivals); likewise there were many names for different farm vehicles, such as Leiterwage (for hay, with sides like a ladder), Brüggiwage (with a flat carrying bed, a Brücke, so to speak, between the axles), Bockwage (flatbed wagon with a driver's seat, called a Bocksitz), Bänne, q.v.

schibischäbi, int.,

pfui, shame on you; also wertlos, shabby

schiesse, v.t.,

werfen, schmeißen, to throw, to fling; furtschiesse, wegwerfen, to throw away; eim öppis noche-schiesse, jemandem etwas hinterherwerfen, to throw something after somebody; also used in the sense of the German meaning, schießen, to shoot

schigge, v.t.,

kauen, priemen, to chew tobacco; Schigg, m., Priem, m., tobacco plug; vergl. French chique, f.

Schii, m.,

Ski, m., ski; schiifahre, v.i., skilaufen, skifahren, to ski

schiints, adj.,

angeblich, scheinbar, reportedly, apparently; said with a hint of disbelief; es sig schiints i dr Ornig, es sei angeblich in Ordnung, it is supposed to be alright

Schileh, n.,

Weste, f., vest; vergl. French gilet

Schindti, f.,

Haut, f., Rinde, f., Schale. f., skin, peel, rind; Härdöpfuschindti, Kartoffelschale, f., potatoe peel; Wurschtschindti, f., Wursthaut, f., Sausage peel; see also Hüutschele

schiniere, v.t., v.r.,

lästig sein, sich in Verlegenheit bringen, to inconvenience, to embarrass, to bother; schinierts di? stört es dich? does it bother you?; unschiniert, adj., adv., nicht schüchtern, ohne zu zögern, not bashful, brash; vergl. French gêner

schiter, adj., adv.,

armselig, poorly, janky; däm goht's schiter, es geht ihm ärmlich, he is doing poorly; vergl. German schütter (which describes sparse hair)

Schiterbiigi, f.,

Scheiterhaufen, pile of chopped wood

Schitli, n.,

Scheit, n., log; Schitli mache, Holz spaleten, to chop wood,

schlängge, v.t.,

schlenkern, to swing, to dangle, to fling, to toss; also v.r., eim schlängge, herumgewirbelt werden, to be taken for a loop; see also Schlänggerlig

Schlänggerlig, m.,

Schimpfname, m., Spitzname, m., beleidigender Übername, m., rude name, insulting nickname, slur; eim a Schlänggerlig aahänke, jemanden beschimpfen, to call someone names; also Schlötterlig, m.; the Viking word for nickname was slengenamm, in Old Norse, presumably used to insult enemies before battle. An English account of the Trojan War written in 1400 mentions "the bolde wordes that he [Aeneas] did sclyng", when wary of his enemy before the battle. Mud-slinging is related, and when you go from sling and slung to slang, you arrive at a metaphor for language other than the Queen's.

schlargge, v.i.,

sudeln, verschmieren, to daub, to smear; e Schlargg mache, einen Klecks m. machen, to make a blot; es Gschlargg, n., ein Geschmier, n., a mess of scribbling; see also verschlargge

schlarpe, v.i.,

schlurfen, to shuffle; schlärpele; Schlarpe, f., ausgetragener Schuh, m., wornout shoe; Schlarpi, m., Trödelfritz, m., slow-coach, slow-poke; as Barliman Butterbur said "Hi! Nob! Where are you, you woolly-footed slow-coach?" (at the Prancing Pony); vergl. German Schlappen, m. (slipper)

schlärpele, v.i.,

schorren, trödeln, hinterherziehen, to shuffle along, to dawdle, to scrape

Schlee, m.,

Sülze, f., Gelee, n., Gallerte, f., jelly; Chüttene-Schlee, Quitten-Gelee, quince jelly; from French gelée; see also bchaue

Schleglete, f.,

Schlägerei, f., brawl, free-for-all; see also abschloo

schleipfe, v.t.,

schleppen, schleifen, to drag, to shlep; mitschleipfe, v.t., to drag along, mitzerren, mitnehmen; umeschleipfe, v.t., mit sich zerren, to drag around; verschleipfe, v.t., verschleppen, verlieren, to carry off, to spread (disease), to lose track of; zämeschleipfe, v.t., zusammentragen, to heap together; implies toil and lack of necessity; see also Gschleipf

Schleipfete, f.

Schlepperei, f., Wirrwarr, m., jumble, dragging; see also Gschleipf

schletze, v.t.,

zuschlagen (Türe), zuschmeißen, to slam (door); d'Türe schletze, die Türe zuknallen, to slam the door; also zueschletze

schlittle, v.i.,

Schlitten fahren, rodeln, to sledge, to sleigh; go schlittle, schlittenfahren gehen, to go for a sledge (or sleigh) ride; lo schlittle, durchlassen, to ignore, to let run it's course

schloo, v.t.,

also schlo, schlagen, to strike, to hit; e Nagu iischlo, einen Nagel einhämmern, to drive a nail; uusschlo, v.i., ausschlagen, to kick; sRoss het uusgschlage, das Pferd schlug aus, the horse kicked; i schloo, du schloosch, är schloot, mir schlöö, dir schlööt, si schlöö; pp. gschlage; see also abschlo

Schlotteri, m.,

Schlotter, m., tremors; dr Schlotteri ha, to tremble, to have the heebie-jeebies, from cold, or fear, or old age; a Schlotteri, m., jemand der wackelt, somebody who is unsteady; see also Zitteri

schlüfe, v.t.,

schlüpfen, to slip, to slide

Schlüferli, n. sing. and pl.,

süßes Gebäck für die Weihnachtszeit und Fastnacht, sweet baked cookies for Christmas and Mardi Gras; vergl. German Schlaufe, f., or Schleife, f., loop, bow

How to make:

Beat 2 eggs in 100 g sugar, add 80 g melted butter, a shot of Kirsch, and some lemon zest, mix with 300 g flour, a pinch of salt, and a puff of cinnamon; roll to 5 mm, cut in 3x10 cm strips, slit in middle and pull one end through; bake at 190 C until golden.

Schlufi, m.,

Taugenichts, m., ne'er-do-well; pl. Schlufine

Schmätterlig, m.,

Schmetterling, m., butterfly; see also Pfiffouter, and Summervogu

Schminee, n.,

(offener) Kamin, m., fireplace; vergl. French cheminée

schmöcke, v.i.,

duften, to smell sweet; das schmöckt wie Meieriisli, das duftet wie Maiglöckchen, it smells like lily of the valley

schmöcke, v.t.,

riechen, to smell; i schmöckene Hamme, ich rieche Geräuchertes, I am smelling ham

schmürzele, v.i.,

brenzeln, schwelen, to smell of burning, to smoulder; brenzeln is bränzele in Swiss; schmürzele describes perhaps a more acrid fume of vaguer origin, for instance of something being heated by friction and about to ignite; was schmürzelet do? was schwelt so? what's burning? vergl. German schmoren

schmuse, v.i., knutschen, sich abküssen, to pet

Schmützli, n.,

Kuß, m., kiss, smack, smackaroo; vergl. German Schmatz, m.; see also Müntschi

Schnäbi, n., kleiner Penis, m., willie

schnädere, v.i.,

schnattern, cackle, quack, gabble; fig. also to chatter, and sometimes (coll.) to eat, see also gschnäderfrääsig

Schnäfu, m.,

see Schnifeli

Schnägg, m.,

Schnecke, f., snail; also Hüslischnägg, m., q.v., to indicate that it is one with a shell; Schnäggehüsli, n., Schneckenhaus, n., snail-shell; im Schnäggetämpo, n., im Schneckentempo, at a snail’s pace; see also schnoogge; in pastry terms, a Schnägg is a kind of Danish, ein Gebäck in Richtung Nussgipfel, but galaxied in the form of a volute, rather than rolled; in other culinary respects, an escargot is an escargot, and you would not call that a Schnägg, except perhaps a Wiibärgschnägg, eine Weinbergschnecke, an edible snail, if you must; see also schoogge; see also Hüsli.

In terms of housing, a dire and neglected location may be called a Schnäggeloch, n., whence the ditty:

Der Hans im Schnäggeloch

het aues was er wott

und was er het, das wotternit

und was er wott, das hetternit

der Hans im Schnäggeloch

het aues was er wott.

Schneeblueme, f.,

Frostkristalle (am Fenster) n., snow crystals; vergl. French des fleurs de givre

Schneeschnützi, f.,

Schneepflug, m., snow-plough; schneeschnütze, v.t., den Schnee pflügen, to plough the snow

Schneewächte, f.,

Schneewehe, f., snowdrift

Schnifeli, n.,

Abschnitt, m., Scheibe, f., small slice, scrap, shred; es Schnifeli Chueche, a small slice of cake; Schnifu, also Schnäfu, m., ein grösserer Abschnitt, a heftier slice; see also Schederli; Schnipfel, m., Schnippel, m., or n., and Schnipsel, n., are known in German dialect

Schnitzerli, n.,

Schälmesser, n., small kitchen knife, paring knife

Schnitz und drunder, f., pl.,

ein Kompott aus Äpfeln, Kartoffeln, und Speck (oder Schinken), a stew made with apples, potatoes, and bacon (or ham)

schnoogge, v.i.,

kriechen, to crawl; vergl. German Schnecke, f., Swiss Schnägg m. q.v.; in Basel, however, a Schnoogge is a gnat, vergl. German Schnake, f., which to me would be a Mugge, vergl. German Mücke, f., not to be confused with German Mucke, f., which is a whim, except that, in order to make it rhyme, they also say "mit Geduld und Spucke fängt man eine Mucke," which means "softly, softly, catchee monkey." Want to know more?

schnöre, v.i.,

schwatzen, klatschen, salbadern, daherreden, to gossip, to kvetch, to prattle, to prate

Schnörri, m.,

Plappermaul, n., Plaudertasche, f., Schwätzer, m., Plapperliese, f., blabbermouth, chatterbox; vergl. German Schnurre, f., or schnorren, erbetteln, to cadge; also Schnurri, m.; see also Gschnörr

Schnouz, m.,

Schnurrbart, m., moustache; vergl. German Schnauzbart; the diminutive is Schnöizli

Schnuder, m.,

Rotz, m., Schleim, m., snot, mucus; Schnuderi, m., rotziger Lümmel, m., snotty lout m.

schnütze, v.t.,

sich schneuzen, schneuzen, to blow one's nose, den Schnee pflügen, to plow (or plough) the snow (see Schneeschnützi)

scho, adv.,

schon, already

Schoche, m.,

Garbenhaufen, m., Heuschober, m., Heuhaufen, m., rick; pl. Schöche; schöchle, v.t., Heu aufhäufen, to arrange hay in ricks or stooks; schöchligumpe, you figure it out, it was a healthy pastime before TV; vergl. German Schober, m.

Schoggi, f.,

Schokolade, f., chocolate; a Schoggi a day keeps the doctor away; heissi Schoggi, heißes Schokoladengetränk, hot chocolate; also Schoggelah, f.; should really be made with cocoa-butter; if a vegetable fat is used as a base, it should be called candy, for which the Swiss do not deign to have a word; vergl. French chocolat

Schöibe, f.,

Schürze, f., apron, pinafore, smock; Chuchischöibe, f., Küchenschürze, f., kitchen apron

Schopf, m.,

Schuppen, m., Hütte, f., shed, shanty; vergl. French échoppe, f.; in German, the primary meaning of Schopf is shock of hair, top of the head

Schoppe, m.,

Saugflasche, f., baby-bottle, feeding bottle; in a pub, a Schoppe is half a pint of beer or wine

Schorsch, m.,

Georg, George; vergl. French Georges; Schorsch Gaggo, m.,coll., fig. Verlierer, m., loser, the one who is left holding the bag

Schpanischi Nüssli, f.,

Erdnüßchen, f., peanuts

Schpatzig, f.,

Abstand, m., clearance; vergl. English space

Schpäute, m., sing. and pl.,

großes Scheit, n., split log; vergl. German spalten, v.t.

schperze, v.r.,

sich sperren, to balk at, to resist, to ellbow

Schpicher, m.,

Speicher, m., Stadel, m., granary, garret; a separate wooden storage building near the farm

Schpicker, m.,

Glasmurmel, glass marbel, tolley; alley (latin: alea); used as a lead marble, or set as a target; see Chlürli; vergl. German Knicker, m.; schpicke, v.t., to shoot or to knuckle a marble (in French caler une bille), schnellen, flitzen, werfen

schpienzle, v.t.,

blicken lassen, zeigen, vorzeigen, vorspiegeln, to show, to show off, to flash, to reveal

Schpinele, f.,

Spinne, f., spider

schpinne, v.i.,

irrereden, to talk nonsense, to be meshugge; schpinnsch? spinnst du? fehlt dir was? you crazy?; lit. also spinnen, to spin

Schpinnhuppele, f.,

Spinngewebe, n., Spinnwebe, f., cobweb; also Schpinnnetz; vergl. French houppe, f.

Schpitzbuebe, m. pl.,

Spitzbuben, m.pl., bad boys, rascals; but mainly a term for jam-filled shortbread sandwich cookies, sometimes called Jammy Dodgers, doppelte Plätzchen mit Konfitüren Einlage

Schpliin, m.,

Mucke, f., Schrulle, f., Absonderlichkeit, f., quirk, whimsy, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy; dä het a Schpliin, he is a little cuckoo (bekloppt); from English spleen

schpöie, v.i.,

spucken, to spit

Schpöiz, m.,

Spucke, f., spit; also an epithet for the charming villages of Erlinsbach, be that Ober-, Under-, or Nieder-, and pray tell me where else you could glean such valuable information

schporre, v.t.,

kicken, strampeln, sich wehren; to spar, to kick

schprätzle, v.i.,

brutzeln, zischen, sprühen, to sizzle; dHärdöpfu schprätzle i dr Brotpfanne, the potatoes are sizzling in the skillet

Schpriisse, m.,

Splitter, m., splinter; a Schpriisse iimache, einen Splitter erwischen, to catch a splinter

Schpriisseli, f.pl.,

Anbrennholz, n., kindling; Schpriisseli mache, Anbrennholz spalten, to prepare kindling; also diminutive of Schpriisse, q.v.

schpringe, v.i.,

rennen, to run; mir hei no müesse schpringe, süsch hätte mr dr Zug verpasst, wir mußten rennen, sonst hätten wir den Zug verpaßt, we had to run, or we would have missed the train; also used in the sense of the German springen, v.i. (to leap)

Schpröier, m.,

Spreu, f., chaff; specifically the type of bulky wheat chaff once used to stuff the duvets and pillows of the lower ranks of the Swiss classless society, who were thus compelled to change the stuffing of their lairs at least yearly, while the Mehbessere (q.v.) slept in dank down for decades

Schprützchanne, f.,

Gießkanne, f., watering can

Schpunte, m.,

Schenke, f., tavern; a common pub; vergl. German Spund, m. (bung, spigot)

schränze, v.t.,

zerreißen, to rend, to tear; also verschränze; German Schranz, m., Riß, m., tear

schriisse, v.t.,

zerren, reißen, to pull, to rip; verschriisse, zerreißen, to rip apart

Schrööggu, m.,

armseliges Wesen, n., miserable creature

Schtächbütu, m.,

Stechbeitel, m ., chisel

Schtäcke, m.,

Stock, m., stick; see also Hooggeschtäcke

Schtäckli, n.,

kleiner Knebel, m., small stick

Schtafel, m.,

Bergwiese, alpine pasture; as for instance in Stafelegg, a meadow across the valley of my village

Schtäge, f.,

Treppe, f., staircase; Schtägetritt, m., step; Schtägegländer, n., Treppengeländer, banister; Schtägehuus, n., Treppenhaus, n., Treppenaufgang, m., staircase, hall, d'Schtägenuuf, die Treppe hoch, up the stairs; d'Schtägenab, die Treppe hinunter, down the stairs;

schtägere, v.i.,

klettern, herumklettern, to climb (on something unstable)

schtaggele, v.i.,

stottern, stammeln, to stutter, to stammer; Schtaggeli, m., stutterer; Notker der Stammler heisst auwä dass dä gschtaggelet het, Notker der Stammler means he stuttered

schtämpere, v.i.,

sich aufregen, sich ärgern,Umstände machen, to fuss, to make a fuss, to fret, to go on complaining, to blather; Schtämperete, f., Unwirschheit, f., Aufhebens, n., fuss, grumpiness

Schtärneföifi, int. (mild oath),

Donnerwetter, darn it, porca miseria

Schteer, m.,

ein Kubikmeter Brennholz, a cubic meter of fire-wood

Schtei, m. pl.,

Steine, f. pl., stones; auch Geld, n., Franken, m. pl., also money, francs, bucks; das choschteti zwöituusig Schtei, das würde zweitausend Franken kosten, that would cost twothousand bucks; see also Schtütz

Schteinägeli, n.,

Bartnelke, f., Sweet William; diantus barbatus; see also Nägeli

Schteischlöidere, f.,

Zwille, f., slingshot

schtier, adj., slang,

pleite, flat broke, skint

Schtieregrind, m.,

Querkopf, m., starrköpfiger Mensch, halsstarriger Mensch, bully, stubborn person, obdurate person (lit. bull’s head)

Schtierenoug, n.,

Spiegelei, n., fried egg (sunny side up); lit. bull's-eye; in Canada, an egg fried in the removed centre of a slice of toast is sometimes called a bull's-eye

Schtift, m.,

Lehrling, m., apprentice; Schtifti, f., Lehrzeit, f., apprenticeship

schtifusinnig, adj.,

von Sinnen, überdrüssig, irre, out of one's mind, sick and tired, crazy; as from doing a seemingly endless task

Schtinkerli, n.,

Ringelblume, f., marigold, tagetes

Schtöckli, n.,

Häuschen n. für die ältere Generation, granny-flat; vergl. German Altenteil

Schtoffle, f.,

Stoppeln, f., stubble; what's left on a field after the grain has been mowed; at that time, one can goh ähriläse, Ähren lesen, stoppeln, to glean

Schtögeli, n.,

Schneestapfen, m., snow sticking to the soles of shoes, which impedes walking, particularly for tots lacking the weight to kick them off; vergl. German Stöckel (heel), Stöckelschuhe

Schtopf, m.,

Fußtritt, m., kick; är het mer e Schtopf gäh (är het mi gschtüpft), er hat mich getreten, he kicked me; schtopfe, v.t., treten, to kick; also Schtupf

Schtör, f.,

in the phrase uf d'Schtör go, im Hause des Kunden arbeiten, to work in the customer's house; of old done by tradespeople, especially tailors, shoemakers, basketweavers, tinkers (Kesselflicker); from German stören, to disturb, as the work was done in the customer's quarters

Schtorcheschnabu, m.,

Ruprechtskraut, n., cranesbill, geranium robertianum

Schtorze, m., Stengel, m., stalk, stem; der uneßbare Kern oder Stengel eines Gemüses, the inedible stalk or core of a vegetable; manchmal als abschätzige Bezeichnung der Beine, also used derisively for legs; pl. Schtörze

Schtossbähre, f.,

Schubkarren, m., wheelbarrow; a low-slung laddered variation is a Grasbähre, used to transport grass or hay; Bähre, barrow, and to bear are from the same root; see also Garette

schtotzig, adj.,

steil, steep; a schtotzige Hoger (q.v.), ein steiler Hügel, a steep hill; see also Schtutz

schträäze, v.i.,

gießen (Regen), to pour (of rain); es schträäzet, es regnet eimerweise; it's raining cats and dogs; vergl. French strier

Schträu, m.,

Kamm, m., comb; also Schträhl; schträhle, v.t., kämmen, to comb

schträng, adv.,

oft, often, frequently; as an adjective the meaning is as in German streng, severe

schtriele, v.i.,

bummeln, herumschlendern, schleichen, to stroll about, to loaf about, to slink, to galavant

Schtroomer, m.,

Landstreicher, m., vagrant

Schtrouchefahrt, f.,

Fahrt in einem gestohlenen Fahrzeug, Reise ohne Fahrkarte, a trip in a stolen vehicle, a joyride; vergl. German Strolch, m., tramp

schtrub, adj.,

struppig, wüst, scruffy, rough, unkempt, disorderly, ugly; schtrubs Wätter, schlechtes Wetter, rough weather

schtübe, v.i.,

stauben, to generate dust, to raise dust

Schtubewage, m.,

Kinderwagen, m., pram (perambulator); if it is foldable, it is a Schportwage, m., also Schportwägeli, n., Sportwagen, m., stroller

schtucke, v.i.,

feilschen, to bargain; si hei de no lang gschtucket, sie feilschten noch eine gute Weile, they kept on bargaining for some time

Schtückli, n.,

Kleingebäck, n., pastry; a small piece of pâtisserie from the Feinbäcker, who in Swiss is a pâtissier, as in French

Schtüdi, n.,

Christine

Schtumpe, m.,

kleine Zigarre, f., cheroot, small cigar, stogie; the second meaning is as German Stumpen, m., stump

schtungge, v.t.,

zusammenpressen, to compress, to jam together; es Gschtungg, n., ein Gedränge, n., a packed crowd; s'Züüg i Rucksack schtungge, die Sachen in den Rucksack stopfen; to jam things in the backpack; see also gschtungget; see also zämeschtungge

schtüpfe, v.t.,

mit dem Fuß treten, einen Fußtritt geben, to kick; less violent than gingge; vergl. German stupsen (to nudge); Schtupf, m., kick, jolt

schtürchle, v.i.,

stolpern, to stumble, to trip; also schtüupere

schturm, adj.,

shwindlig, übel, benommen, dizzy, queasy, giddy; isch's dr schturm? ist dir schwindlig? are you dizzy?

schtürme, v.i.,

triezen, nörgeln, to pester, to nag, to niggle; see also Gschtürm

Schtürmi, m.,

Umstandskrämer, m., fusspot

Schtutz, m.,

schroffe Steigung, steiler Abhang, m., steep upgrade, or slope; see also schtotzig

Schtütz, m. pl.,

Geld, n., Franken, m., Moneten, f.pl., money, francs, moolla; I ha ke Schtütz, ich bin pleite, I am broke; gimer zwee Schtütz, gib mir zwei Franken, give me two francs; see also Schtei

schtüupere, v.t.,

stolpern, to stumble, to trip; über e Wurzle schtüupere, über eine Wurzel stolpern, to trip on a root

Schübeli, n.,

Büschel, m., tuft; es Schübeli Hoor, ein Büschel Haar, a tuft of hair; also Schübu, as in a schöne Schübu Gäut, eine gute Menge Geld, a heap of money; vergl. German Schub, m.

Schüblig, m.,

große Brühwurst, f., a large sausage, served cooked

schuderhaft, adj.,

sehr, very; also schuurig; schuderhaft luut, grässlich laut, very loud; if you are from elsewhere, you might say schüüli; vergl. German schauderhaft

Schuebändeli, n.,

Schnürsenkel, m., shoe-laces; also Schuebändu, m.; the French lacet, m., is also used

schuene, v.i.,

zu Fuss gehen, wandern, sich schleppen, marschieren, to walk, to trek, to hike, to march; ufen Ängubarg ufe schuene, auf den Engelberg marschieren, to hike up to the Engelberg; implies that you would rather drive; vergl. Yiddish shlep

Schüfeli, n.,

geräucherter Schinken (Schulterstück), smoked ham (blade); also called Laffli, q.v.

Schüfeli und Bäseli, n.,

Abfallschaufel und Wischer; Kehrschaufel und Besen, Kehrgarnitur; scoop and brush set

Schuflete, f.,

eine Schaufel voll, viel, a shovel full, a lot

Schümeli, n.,

Füllen, n., colt, filly; vergl. French jument, f., Stute, f., mare; also possibly from jumelé, paired, since they were paired with a grown horse to learn drawing vehicles

Schungge, m.,

dicker Band, m., Wälzer, m., heavy tome, big fat book; vergl. English chunk

schüpfe, v.t.,

stoßen, schubsen, to push, to shove; är het mi gschüpft, er hat mich gestoßen, he pushed me; see also müpfe

Schupf, m.,

Stoß, m., Schups, m., push, shove, jolt; see also Mupf

Schüpp, m.,

Frauenrock, m., skirt; vergl. French jupe

Schurniggeli, n.,

unreife Kirschen, f., unripe cherries; vergl. English niggle; also Schornigeli

schüst, adj.,

genau, präzis, exact, precise; vergl. French juste

schutte, v.i.

see tschutte

Schutti, f.,

Schutthalde, f., Schuttabladeplatz, m., Kehrichtdeponie, f.; garbage dump; in Swiss it used to be called Gruebe, f.

Schüttschtei, m.,

Ausguß, m., sink

Schützeschibe, f.,

Schießscheibe, f., Zielscheibe, f., target

schüüch, adj.,

schüchtern, timid, diffident; schüüche, v.i., scheuen, zurückschrecken, to shy, to balk

schüüli, adj.,

schrecklich, schauderhaft, sehr, terribly, very

Schüür, f.,

Scheune, f., barn; pl. Schüüre

schuurig, adj.,

schauderhaft, schauerlich, awfully, frightfully; mostly fig., s'isch schuurig heiss, es ist schauderhaft heiß, it is frightfully hot; also schüli, also schaurig, also schuderhaft

schwadere, v.i.,

planschen, spritzen, to splatter, to splash; what the ducks do with their feet

schwänke, v.t.,

spülen, to rinse

Schweizi, f.,

in Butter oder Öl gedünstete gehackte Zwiebeln, geröstete Soße, chopped onions or the like steamed in butter or oil, browned butter, a roasted sauce

Schwemmi, f.

Schwemme, f., but used fig. as ‘eine grosse Menge’; a ganzi Schwemmi, jede Menge, a whole lot; see also Schwetti

Schwetti, f.,

Schwemme, f., Haufen, m., glut, heap; a whole lot of something; also in the fig. sense of Fülle, f., Flut, f., flood; mir hei a ganzi Schwetti Beeri im Garte, wir haben haufenweise Beeren im Garten, we have a heap of berries in the garden; a schwettivoll, a "vatful"; see also Schhwemmi

schwine, v.i.,

schwinden, to vanish, to melt away; dr Schnee schwinet, der Schnee schmilzt, the snow is melting

Schwingbäse, m.,

Schneebesen, m., whisk

schwinge, v.i.,

Schweizerische Art des Ringens, Swiss style wrestling; Schwingfescht, a wrestling festival; see also Nidle

Schwinigs, n.,

Schweinefleisch, n., pork

Schwinswurscht, f.,

Wurst aus Schweinefleisch, pork sausage; Schwinsbroote, m., Schweinebraten, m., pork roast

Schwizerörgeli, n.,

Harmonika, f., harmonica, Handorgele, f.; a Schwizerörgeli is a small harmonica with a button keyboard on either side; see also handörgele

Schwizerschägg, m.,

buntscheckige Kuh, a piebald cow; see gschägget; at times used to describe a mish-mash, etwas Zusammengewürfeltes

schwöbele, v.i.,

einen deutschen Akzent haben, to speak with a German accent; Schwob, m., Schwobe, pl., Schwabe, m., Swabian; but used as a genereal (and denigrating) term for Germans

Schwumm, m.,

1. Pilz, m., mushroom; pl. Schwümm; mir gönd i d'Schwümm, (mir göh go schwümmle) wir gehen Pilze suchen, we are going for mushrooms; do not confuse with mir gö go schwümme, we are going for a swim

2. Schwamm, m., sponge; pl. Schwämm

Seigu, m., s. and pl.

Sproße, f., rung (of a ladder); also Seigel

Seili, n.,

Seil, n., rope; Garbeseili, n., Garbenseil, n., a rope used to tie a sheaf of cerial stalks, so they can be put up in stooks for drying on the field

Sepp, m.,

Joseph; Seppetoni, Tony - son of Sepp

Serviette, f.,

In addition to the usual meaning (napkin), the word is used for Aktenmappe f., Aktentasche, f., briefcase, f., attaché case

settig, adj.,

solch, such; auch söttig, senig, sönig; settig schöni Rose gseht me säute, so schöne Rosen sieht man selten, one rarely sees such lovely roses; settigi, solch welche, derartige, such, of such kind

Sibesiech, m., coll. and a bit rough

Held m. (sarcastically), Pfiffikus, m., Mordskerl, m., Tausendsassa, m., Jack-of-all-trades, know-all; one who is better seven ways; see Siech

Sichlete, f.,

Erntefest, n., harvest festival; vergl. German Sichel, f. (sickle)

sider, adv.,

seither, since; s'isch lang sider, lang, lang ist's her, (es schwimmt eine Leiche im Landwehrkanal, in case you were wondering, and poor Rosa deserves better than this stupid ditty), it's been long since

Siech, m., vulg.

Kranker, m., originally one who is incurably ill; vergl. German siech, adj. (sickly, infirm), siechen, v.i. (to waste away), or Siechenhaus, n. (hospital for incurables); now a much overused curse-word, such as tumme Siech, m., Vollidiot, m., damn fool

sii, v.i., v.aux.,

sein, to be; i bi, du bisch, är isch, mir si, dir sit, si si; p.p. gsi; subj. i sig, du sigsch, är sig, mir sige, dir sigit, si sige

sirache, v.i.,

poltern, donnern und wettern, toben,vehement ausschelten; to rage, to rave, to curse and swear, to give hell to; perhaps a long forgotten reference to Ecclesiasticus, the book of Sirach

söfu, adv.,

soviel, so much; söfu mänge, so viele, so many; söfu sött me chönne erwarte, soviel wäre zu erwarten, one should expect so much; if it is used as a conjunction, it is pronounced more as in German, soviel man weiß

Söiblotere, f., s. and pl.,

Schweinsblase, f., pig's bladder; these were our balloons before there were balloons, and it is our hope that you are not offended, as it is not too long ago that your forebears amused themselves likewise, and often worse

Söiblueme, f.,

Löwenzahn, m., dandelion;taraxacum officinale; see also Weiefäcke

söifere, v.i.,

geifern, sabbern (von Kleinkindern), to drivel (of infants); Söiferlatz, m., Geiferlätzchen, n., bib, see Rabättli, Ässmänteli; see also göifere

söile, v.i.,

im Schmutz spielen, sudeln, to make a mess, to play in the dirt, and to generally act against overall cleanliness; also versöile, v.t., verschmutzen, to soil; soil (ground) has no connection to it, but soil (make dirty) certainly does, as it is related to Latin suculus, little pig, but I digress; the easier connection is to French souiller, and to German Sau, f., pig, via Swiss Söili, n., piglet, whose life-style is à propos, though we like pork and ham; but such are the mysteries of life: we cringe before the quick, but the dead are food. Therein lie the quandaries of philosophy: who are we; why are we here, and what are we supposed to do; why is there good and evil, and suffering, and death; and the ultimate ineffable mystery which is the origin and destiny of our existence. These are questions to the end of time, and "je pense, donc je souille" is of no help, gentle reader; a Söiniggeli, n., is one who gets him or herself versöilet, and a Söiniggu is the

version majuscule of same; a Söibueb, m., is ein Lümmel, a lout; a Söilerei is the action, and a Söilete is the result, and so on; "to sully" is a fair fit.

Söischüür, f.,

Schweinehaltung, f., pigfarm

soodeli, expr., int.,

jetzt ist's so weit, there we go

söttig, see settig

söue, v.i., v. aux.

sollen, to have to, must, shall, should; i söu, du söusch, är söu, mir söue, dir söuit(söuet), si söue; p.p. söue; subj. i sett, du setsch, är sett, mir sette , dir settet, si sette; also sött, etc.

souglatt, adj.,

urkomisch, ausgelassen lustig, hilarious, rollicking funny

soumässig, adj.,

sehr, äußerst, very, extremely; also söimässig; soumässig lut, äußerst laut, extremely loud

sövu, adv.,

soviel, so much; zwöimou sövu, zweimal soviel, twice as much; if used as a conjunction, it would be pronounced sovil, or soveu, soviel; sovil me weiß, soviel man weiß, as far as one knows

stoubsugere, v.t.,

staubsaugen, v.t., to vacuum; Stoubsuger, m., Staubsauger, m., vacuum cleaner

südere, v.i.,

überlaufen, überkochen, durchsickern, to run over, to boil over, to spill, to leak; vergl. German sieden, v.i., to boil

südere, v.t.,

vergießen, verschütten, durchsickern, to spill, to slop, to seep; Süderi, m., one who spills something

Süfzger, m.,

Seufzer, m., sigh; which is the opposite of a Juchzger, q.v.

Summervogu, m.,

Schmetterling, m., butterfly; see also Pfiffouter, Schmätterlig; it means summer bird; pl. Summervögu

Sundig, m.,

Sonntag, Sunday; also Sundi

sundigmörgele, v.i.,

den Sonntagmorgen geniessen, to idle away Sunday morning

sünnele, v.i.,

sich sonnen, sonnenbaden, to sunbathe

Surchrutt, n.,

Sauerkraut, n., sauerkraut, pickled cabbage; also Surchabis, m.

Sürmu, m.,

Lümmel, m., lout; also Sürmel

surniblig, adj.,

unzufrieden, unfolgsam, ill-humoured, unruly

süsch, adv.,

sonst, else; süsch no öppis? sonst noch was? anything else?; also süscht

süttig, adj.,

siedend, boiling; süttig heiss, boiling hot

süüferli, adv.,

behutsam, sachte, carefully, gently; also süüferlig

Süüfferli, n.,

Rühr-mich-nicht-an, n., touch-me-not, impatiens (a pretty flowering annual for shady locations)

T

Tääschi, n.,

Fleck, m., stain, blot; vergl. French tache

Tablar, n.,

Regal, n., Sims, m., shelf; vergl. Latin tabula (writing board), whence table

Taburettli, n.,

Hocker, m., stool; vergl. French tabouret

Tafele, f.,

Tafel, f., Wandtafel, f., blackboard, slate, tablet, chart, plaque; a Tafele Schoggi, eine Stange Schokolade, a bar of chocolate; not used in the German sense of dinnertable

Täfeli, n.,

Bonbon, m. or n., Pastille, f., sweet (the noun), candy (=American), lozenge, taffy; further East they would say Zäutli, n., or Zältli, which in German dialect is Zeltchen, n.

täfer, adj.,

kerngesund, munter, healthy, in good shape

Täfer, n.,

Täfelung, f., Getäfel, n., panelling, inlay; täfere, v.t., täfeln, to panel, to wainscot

tängg, adj.,

mürbe, teig, soft, mushy, over-ripe; beschreibt das braune Innere einer überreifen Birne, describes the brown core of an over-ripe pear; vergl. German Teig

tannig, adj.,

aus Tannenholz, made of fir; Tannigs, n., Sachen aus Tannenholz, items made of fir

täppere, v. t.,

klopfen, festklopfen, leicht schlagen, to tap, to compact; zämetäppere, v.t., flach klopfen, to beat down; dr Räge het dr Bode zämetäpperet, der Regen hat den Boden festgeklopft, the rain compacted the soil; vergl. also French taper, v.t.

Tassli, n.,

Tasse, f., cup; es Tassli Kafi, eine Tasse Kaffee, a cup of coffee

Tätsch, m.,

Klaps, m., smack, slap, also as expletive: patsch!, smack! kablooey!; also pl., Schläge, f., Klapse, m., slaps, whacks, cuffs; Tätsch übercho, Schläge kriegen, to get a beating

Tätschmeischter, m.,

Aufseher, m., Leiter, m., chief, taskmaster

techle, v.i.,

rennen, to run, to dash; dervotechle, davonrennen, to dash away; also dechle

teu, adj.,

manche, some; used before plural; teu Lüt, manche Leute, some people; teu hei's ggloubt, teu nid, die einen glaubten es, die andern nicht, some believed it, some not; also Teu, m., or Teili, n., Teil, part

Thedöri, m.,

Theodor, Theodore

ticke, v.i.,

zunehmen, to gain weight; when face to face you would more likely say nothing, or perhaps hesch zuegno?, hast du zugenommen? did you gain weight? (from zuenäh, zunehmen); but behind the back, so to speak, you might say dä het de scho ticket!, he sure gained weight; vergl. German dick, adj.; see practical application under ehnder

tifig, adj., adv.

schnell, flink, quick, quickly, licketysplit, quick as a flash; see also gleitig, weidlig; vergl. German deftig

Tirggeli, n.,

ein besonderes Kleingebäck von Zürich, a kind of cookie from Zurich; fig. ein geistiger Schaden, a mental deficiency; dä het es Tirggeli, er hat Dachschaden, he is not playing with a full deck; also er hat einen Schwips, he is drunk

tische, v.i.,

den Tisch decken, to set the table; gang go tische, geh den Tisch decken, go set the table

Tobu, n.,

Hohlweg, m., Schlucht, f., Rinne. f., gorge, ravine, gully; vergl. Austrian Tobel

Töff, m.,

Motorrad, n., motor-cycle; dä goht mit em Töff go poschte, er geht mit dem Motorrad einkaufen, he goes shopping by motorbike; Töffli n., kleines Motorrad, scooter; töfflifahre, v.i., auf einem kleinen Motorrad fahren

Toggeli, n.,

Narr, m., dunce; silly person, dummy; Toggu, (emphasized version); vergl. French toqué, dotty; Italian tocco, toccato, cracked, screwy

Töggeli, n.,

Querholz, n., toggle; sometimes used as diminutive of Toggel; may have interesting connections to toga, and togs, and the verb protect

Töggelichaschte, m.,

Tischfussballtisch, m., table football box; see also gaagele

Töibi, f.,

Wut, f., rage, fury; e Töibi ha, wütend sein, to be furious; see also toub

töipele, v.i.,

schmollen, trotzen, to sulk; see also toub

Tolgge, m.,

Klecks, m., blot; especially of ink; also Tougge

Tombola, f.,

Lottospiel, n., Bingo; vergl. Italian tombola

Töni, m.,

Enterich, m., drake

Tönü, n.,

Bekleidungsart, f., Bekleidung, f., Ausstaffung, f., dress, get-up; from French tenue f.; used in particular by the military in such expressions as Kampf-Tönü, Turn-Tönü, Usgangs-Tönü

Tööpli, n.,

Tatze, f., Pfote, f., paw; es Büsi mit wiisse Tööpli, eine Katze mit weißen Pfoten, a pussycat with white paws; also Pföötli, Tätzli; es Chätzli mit wiisse Tätzli, a cat with white paws; Toope, m., Pfote, f., paw; aatööple v.t, betatschen, to paw

Totsch, m.,

Einfaltspinsel, m., Trottel, m., Tropf, m., ninny, nincompoop; the noun is m., but the object is f.

Tötschli, n., s. and pl.

Puffer, m., fritter, patty; as in Härdöpfutätschli, Kartoffelpuffer, potatoe pancakes; vergl. French toucher; also pejoratively, a dimwit

toub, adj.,

1. böse, angry; also toube; bisch toub? bist du böse? are you angry?

2. taub, deaf

3. taub, unfruchtbar, empty (e.g. of a nut)

U

U-Bögli, n.,

U-Bogen, m., u-ckeck; in der Spitzen Schrift (Deutsche Schreibschrift) der kleine Bogen über dem kleinen u, zum Unterscheiden vom kleinen n, in German script, the check-mark over the lower case u, to tell it apart from the lower case n

überabe, adv.,

hinunter, downstairs; gosch überabe? gehst du hinunter? are you going downstairs

überchaare, v.t.,

überfahren, to run over; in a more roughshod way than überfahre

übercho, v.t., p.p.,

erhalten, to get, to receive; i ha nes Gschänkli übercho, ich erhielt ein kleines Geschenk, I got a present; dr Rank nid übercho, den Weg nicht finden, not to cope

übere, adv.,

hin, hinüber, across, over; gosch übere? gehst du hinüber? are you going over?

überegheie, v.t.,

'rüberschmeißen, to fling across; see gheie

überenand, adv.,

übereinander, stacked, one upon another

überflüge, v.i.,

stürzen, hinfallen, to fall down; i bi überfloge, I fell; lit. überfliegen, to fly over

überhocke, v.i.,

zu lange bleiben, to overstay

Überhockete f.,

Zusammenkunft,f., Gesellschaft, f., party, get-together, especially one that goes on into the early hours; from hocken, to sit, to squat

überluege, v.t.,

übersehen, nicht beachten, to overlook, to fail to notice; see also luege

überlüpfe, v.r.,

sich überheben, to strain oneself; sich zuviel zumuten, to take on too much

überobe, adv.,

im oberen Stockwerk, upstairs

überschteue, v.t.,

umstürzen, to topple; es het mi no fascht überschteut, ich bin beinahe gestürzt, I almost fell

übertue, v.r.,

sich übernehmen; to overwork, to do too much; hesch di überto? hast du dich überarbeitet? did you overdo it?

übertue, v.t.,

zum Kochen auf den Kochherd setzen, to put on the stove; p.p. überto; and if you want to let it cook some more it is überlo, p.p. überglo

überufe, adv.,

hinauf, upstairs; i mues no überufe, ich muss noch hinauf, I need to go upstairs

überunde, adv.,

im untern Stockwerk, im Erdgeschoß, downstairs

Ueli, m.,

Ulrich

uf, prep.,

auf, nach, to; uf Amerika, nach Amerika, to the States; uf Widerluege, auf Wiedersehn, so long; see Widerluege

ufchlöpfe, v.t.,

erfrischen, erlaben, to refresh, to revive; es Glas Moscht tuet eim scho chli ufchlöpfe, a glas of cider will pick you up

ufe, adv.,

hinauf, herauf, up; as in schteudrHafenafenufenOfenufe, süsch gheit dä Cheib no um (you may sing this to the tune of "In the Mood") ; also ue, accent on the u

ufenand, adv.,

aufeinander, one on the other

ufenandobe, adv.,

übereinander, aufeinander; one on top of the other

ufezieh, v.t.,

hochziehen, to pull up, see also lisme

ufgheie, v.i.,

sich (unbeabsichtigt) öffnen, sich trennen, auseinanderfallen, to fall open, to separate; also fig. sich auflösen, to become undone; also fig.: dVerlobig isch ufgheit, die Verlobung löste sich, the engagement fell apart; see gheie

ufhänke, v.t.,

aufhängen, to hang up, to suspend

Ufhänklig, m.,

Aufhängsel, n., loop, locker-loop, hanger (e.g. inside a garment, or on a towel)

ufhüüfele, v.t.,

aufhäufeln, to hill up, to pile up; also hüüfele

uflire, v.t.,

aufwickeln, to wind on a reel, to coil up; see lire

ufmache, v.t.,

öffnen, to open; mach uuf! mach auf! open up!; also aufknüpfen, lösen, to undo, mach der Chragechnopf uuf, öffne deinen Kragenknopf, undo the collar button; also aufmachen, to put up, der Schirm ufmache, den Schirm öffnen, to put up the umbrella; also referring to weather, smacht uuf, das Wetter bessert sich, the clouds are opening up; see also zuetue

ufpäppele, v.t.,

hätscheln, gesund pflegen, to nurse to better health, to restore; also ufbäppele

ufprotze, v.t.,

auftakeln, schmücken, to spruce up, to decorate

Ufregig, f.,

Aufregung, f., excitement

uftue, v.t.,

öffnen, to open; e Schubladenuftue, to open a drawer; also auftrennen, undo, rip apart (seam); also aufheitern, to clear up (weather); see also zuetue

ufwaume, v.t.,

anhäufen, to furrow; dHärdöpfu ufwaume, die Erde um die jungen Kartoffelpflanzen anhäufen, to furrow the rows of potato plants; vergl. German Walm, m.

Ufzgi, f. pl., (school slang)

Hausaufgaben, f, pl., homework

ufzie, v.t.,

lit. aufziehen, to wind up; fig. foppen, hänseln, to tease; är tuet se gärn ufzie, er macht sich gerne lustig über sie, he likes to tease her; eim ufzie, v.i., jemanden körperlich bedrohen; to raise your hand against somebody

ume, sep. pref.,

vorbei, herum, gone, past, around; do ume, adv., hierzulande, in this country; die Zit isch ume, diese Zeit ist vorbei, this time is over; ume sii, zurück sein, to be back; in Bernese also nur (siehe nume), är het ume nid wöue, nur wollte er nicht, only he wouldn't

umegää, v.t.,

zurückgeben, to give back; fig. grob antworten, to talk back; to have the last word; see also muule

umelitze, v.t.,

umkrempeln, umstülpen, to fold back, to turn up; also ufelitze; mir hei d'Ärmu umeglitzt, wir haben die Ärmel umgekrempelt, we turned up our sleeves; also litze, to fold up, to turn up, fig. to fall down, es het mi glitzt, ich fiel hin, I fell down flat; vergl. German Litze, f., braid, piping, (also flex-wire, the electric wire made of many fine strands)

umeluege, v.i.

zurückschauen, zurücksehen, to look back, to turn one's head to glance back; also to look around, sich umsehen, see umenandluege; see luege

umenand, adv., sep. pref.,

umher, herum, around, up and down, round about; also umenander; umenand loufe, herumspazieren, to walk around; umenand luege, sich umsehen, to look around; literally umenand is umeinander, around each other; see also luege

umerüere, v.t.,

werfen, herumwerfen, to toss, to throw around; hör uuf das Bääbi umezrüere, hör mal auf die Pupper herumzuwerfen, stop throwing that doll around; do not confuse with umrüere, q.v.

umeschloh, v.t.,

umlegen, verstricken, to fold over, to wrap around; see lisme

umestäche, v.t.,

umgraben, to turn the soil; a familiar garden chore, performed with what the Swiss call a Stächschufle, f., ein Spaten, a spade; (German der erste Spatenstich is the first turn of the spade, as in a ground-breaking ceremony)

umflüge, v.i.

umfallen, to fall; bisch umgfloge? Bist du umgefallen, did you fall

umgheie, v.i.,

umfallen, to fall down, to stumble; see gheie

umrüere, v.t.,

umwerfen, umstoßen, to knock down, to overturn; är het mi umgrüert, er hat mich umgestoßen, he knocked me down (de rüersch du ihn haut ou um!); the German umrühren means to stir, which would be rüere in Swiss; see also umerüere

umsverrode, adv.,

unbedingt, gleichgültig wie, um jeden Preis, by hook or by crook, by any means, no matter how

umtrole, v.i.,

a gentle version of umgheie, q.v., hinfallen, to tumble

umtue, v.t.,

fällen, to fell, to hew; said of trees; mir hei a Boum umtoo, wir haben einen Baum gefällt, we felled a tree

undedri, adv.,

unten hinein, into the bottom; undedri im Oschternäscht tuet me Oschtergras, in the bottom of the Easterbasket you put crinkle gras

undenufe, adv., sep. pref.,

von unten nach oben, von unten herauf; also a variation of the Swiss card game Jass

undereinisch, adv.,

auf einmal, plötzlich, all of a sudden; also ufeinisch

underenand, adv.,

untereinander, durcheinander, among themselves, mixed up

underobsi, adv.,

see zunderobsi

Undersätzli, n.,

kleiner Untersatz, m., coaster, doily, Bierfilz, m., Bierteller, m., Bierdeckel, m.

unerchant, adj.,

wuchtig, heftig, sehr, powerful, formidable, very; sounds to me like a studentesque fad word, but what do I know; unerchant schön, von großer Schönheit, of overwhelming beauty

ungatlig, adj.

ungelenkig, schwerfällig, awkward, massive, clumsy, misshapen; Bernese: ugatlig; see Ger. gätlich; see also gatlig, Gattig

urchig, adj.,

ursprünglich, primitiv, originell, natural, genuine, original, primitive

üs, pers. pron.,

uns, us; also öis; Acc. and Dat. of wir; Acc. sing. üse, üsi, üses; Acc. pl. üsi, (also üseri, üser, öisi; Dat. (Gen.) sing. üsem, üsere, öisem; Dat. (Gen.) pl. üse, (also üsne, öisne),; one should do this on a speadsheet; bi üs, bei uns, at our place; üsem Lehrer si Huet, der Hut unseres Lehrers, our teacher's hat; the üs is more Emmental (wie bi üs im Ämmitau), the öis more Niederamt; Nom. is mer, or meer, q.v., wir, we

us-chifle, v.t.,

enthülsen, to shell; as in Ärbsli us-chifle, Erbsen enthülsen, to shell peas; see also Chefe, which, however, are never us-kiflet; also see chifle, which one can do to pass the time while shelling peas

us-choo, v.t.,

1. bekannt werden, enthüllt werden, to become public knowledge, to be revealed; es isch us-choo, man fand es heraus, it became known

2. mitenand us-choo, sich vertragen, to get along with each other

3. us-choo drmit, damit auskommen, to make do

vergl. German auskommen

use, adv.,

heraus, raus, out; mir göh use, wir gehen hinaus, we are going outside; use! raus! out!; mr göh is Schueuhuus use, wir gehen zum Schulhaus, we are going to the schoolhouse

üse, poss.pron.,

unser, ours; üsi, pl.; Üsi, f.pl., die Unsrigen, our people, our men

usechoo, v.i.,

herauskommen, resultieren, to result; s’chunt uf eis use, es kommt auf’s selbe heraus, it comes to the same

usegheie, v.t.,

'rauswerfen, to expel, to cast out; si heinis usegheit, sie haben uns 'rausgeschmissen, they threw us out; see gheie

usehaa, v.r.,

sich lohnen, to be worthwhile; es het sich nid use, es lohnt sich nicht, it isn't worth the trouble; see also useluege

useluege, v.t.,

in addition to "looking out", (zum Fänschter useluege, aus dem Fenster gucken, to look out of the window), this has the meaning of "generating profit"; es luegt nüüt use, es bringt keinen Gewinn, it is not profitable; see also luege

userüere, v.t.,

wegwerfen, to throw away, to discard

usetüftele, v.t.,

ausforschen, aussprüren, ausfindig machen, erfinden, to figure out, to find out, to get to the bottom of, to invent; vergl. German Duft (in the sense of scent); also uustüftele

usfiguriere, v.t.,

erraten, herausfinden, ausklügeln, to contrive by thought, to devine, to devise; to figure out, to work something out; see also figureetle

usgheie, v.t.,

verschütten, to spill; see gheie

usgumele, v.t.,

ausradieren, to erase; vergl. German Gummi, m., Radiergummi, m.

ushänke, v.t.,

loslösen, auskuppeln, to disengage; däm het’s usghänkt, der ist irre, he is nuts

uslöie, v.i.,

ausruhen, to rest; a combination of löie (q.v.) and usrueie (q.v.)

usmache, v.t.,

auslöschen, to extinguish; sLiecht usmache, das Licht löschen, to turn off the light; enthülsen, to shell, to husk (peas, etc.); fig. die Gläser leeren, to drink up; to; machet us! eßt! trinkt! eat! drink up! also used in the German sense of ausmachen, to amount to, to add up; smacht nüt us, es macht nichts aus, it doesn't matter

usputze, v .t.,

ausradieren, v.t., to erase, to rub out, to scratch out

usrangschiere, v.t.,

streichen, tilgen, to delete, to remove from circulation; originally probably a railroading term (see also rangschiere); vergl. French ranger, einordnen, einreihen, to arrange, to range

usränke, v.t.,

ausrenken, to sprain, to dislocate; also verränke, same meaning

usrueie, v.i., v.r.,

ausruhen, sich ausruhen, to take a rest, to relax

usschlipfe, v.i.,

ausgleiten, to slip, to slide; also usgschlipfe; i bi ufem Iisch usgschlipft, ich bin auf dem Eis ausgerutscht, I slipped on the ice; see also zipfe (uszipfe); vergl. German glitschen

usschoube, v.t.,

aussondern, ausmerzen, aus-sortieren, to remove, to take out of service, to throw out, to eliminate items

ussert, prep., conj.,

außer, except; ussert es sig de nüüt, außer dem sei nichts, except if not; also usser; usser hüt, außer heute, except today

ustue, v.t.,

ausgraben, to dig up; Härdöpfu ustue, die Kartoffeln ernten, to dig up the potatoes

ustüftele, v.t.,

ausfinden, ausdenken, to devise, to work something out, to figure out, to devine

uswalle, v.t.,

ausrollen, auswalzen, (Teig), to roll out (dough); also uswauwe, thus Wauhouz, rolling pin; vergl. German Rollholz, n.

uswaue, v.t.,

auswalzen, v.t., to roll out; see also Wauhouz

uszipfe, v.i.,

ausgleiten, ausglitschen, to slip, to slide; bisch uszipft? bist du ausgeglitten? did you slip? see also zipfe, and Zipfi

Uter, Euter, n., udder; vergl. also French outre, f.,(goatskin bottle, water-skin)

V

Vati, m.,

Vater, m., dad

Veieli, n.,

Veilchen, n., violet

Velo, n.,

Fahrrad, n., bicycle; velofahre, also velöle, radeln, to ride a bike; Velöli, n., kleines Fahrrad, small bicycle; see also Göppu

verbrätsche, v.t.,

verhauen, schlagen, to beat up, to hit; see also Brätsch

verchare, v.t.,

verschmieren, sudeln, to scribble, to daub, to scrawl, to make a mess of; from the tracks of a cart (Karren, m.) in the mud

vercheibe, v.t., vulg.

zerstören, verderben, unbrauchbar machen, to destroy willfully, to ruin, to render unusable

verchlöpfe, v.t.,

verschwenden, to squander, to waste; sGäut verchlöpfe, to throw away money

verchlüpfe, v.t., v.i., v.r.,

erschrecken, to scare, to startle; er het mi verchlüpft, er hat mich erschreckt, he startled me; i bi verchlüpft, ich erschrak, I was startled; also erchlüpfe

verchnuuschte, v.t.,

zerknautschen, zerknittern, to crumple, to crush, to hug excessively; see also chnuuschte

verchrible, v.t.,

durch Kritzelei verunstalten, to deface with scribbles; vergl. chrible

verchrügle, v.t.,

zerknittern, to crumple; es Zedeli (q.v). verchrügle, ein Papier zerknüllen, to crumple a slip of paper; p.p. and adj.

verchrüglet; zerknüllt, rumpled; verchrügleti Hose, zerknitterte Hosen, wrinkled pants; vergl. German Krulle, f. (ruffle); vergl. German Kugel, f.; see also Chrügeli

verchuze, v.t.,

zerzausen, to tousle, to dishevel; see also Chuz

verdanke, v.t.,

den Dank aussprechen, to return thanks; used as a somewhat flowery turn of phrase in speeches, or in commercial correspondence, where it is highgermanized (wir verdanken Ihren Brief, we thank you for your letter); in German, verdanken means to be due to, owing to, as in es ist seiner Geistesgegenwart zu verdanken, it is due to his presence of mind

Verdingchind, n.,

Mündel, m., n., or f., ward, contract child; Verdingbueb, Verdingmeitschi; children who were placed with farm families because they were orphans or because their own families could not cope, and who were put to work to earn their keep

verfuerwärche, v.t.,

verpfuschen, to botch; a verfuerwärcheti Sach, a botched situation, a botched job; vergl. German Fuhrwerk (carriage)

vergäbe, adv.,

vergebens, in vain; kostenlos, free of charge

vergible, v.i.,

verhungern, darben, to starve, to famish; also used in the sense of ungeduldig warten, to await something impatiently; see also vergitzle

vergitzle, v.i.,

etwas kaum erwarten können, to "die" from impatience; also vergable, sometimes vergible, q.v.; i bi fasch vergitzlet, ich konnte es kaum erwarten, I could hardly wait

verhächle, v.t.,

see hächle

verheie, v.t., v.i.,

zerbrechen, to break; hesch es Täuerli verheit? hast du ein Tellerchen zerbrochen? did you break a plate?; fig. mißlingen, to come to naught; see gheie

verhürsche, v.t.,

durcheinander bringen, verwirren, verwickeln, to entangle, to confuse, to mix up; verhürschet, p.p., verwirrt, in disarray (both mental and sartorial); see also Hurschi; vergl. English to hash

verhütze, v.t.,

zerfetzen, to tear to rags, to shred

verjage, v.t.,

zerplatzen, platzen, to explode, to burst; ; also in the German sense of to chase away

verjäte, v.t.,

sprengen, to blow to smithereens; vergl. French jeter

verliide, v.t.,

aushalten, ausstehen, vertragen, ertragen, erdulden, to endure, to stand, to bear (pain), to tolerate; i mas nid verliide, ich kann es nicht ausstehen, I can't stand it; es möcht no chli meh verliide, man könnte noch etwa hinzugeben, one could add some more; vergl. German erleiden

verlire, v.t.,

verwickeln, to tangle; see lire

verloche, v.t.,

vergraben, to bury, to dig in; a Chnoche verloche, einen Knochen bergraben, to bury a bone; (not said of the dead, for that kindly use begrabe, German begraben)

verloffe, pp.,

verlaufen, gone astray, lost; and here is a nice example of a German/Swiss mix: Odu lieber Auguschtin, alles ist hin; sGäut isch versoffe, und dFrou isch verloffe, o du lieber Auguschtin, alles ist hin; to be sung in the well-known tune; the Austrians claim it, the Germans claim it, and the Swiss own it as well

verlüre, v.t.,

verlieren, to lose

vermache, v.t.,

in addition to the German sense "to bequeath" it also means to close, to patch, to batten down; es het mr dLuft vermacht, it choked me; dFänschter vermache (during the war), die Fenster verdunkeln, to black out the windows

vermune, v.t.,

zerstören, zu Grunde richten, to destroy, to render useless; a Schrube vermune, eine Schraube durchdrehen, to screw up a screw; see also mune

verquante, v.t.,

verkaufen, loswerden, to sell, to turn into cash

verrätsche, v.t.,

verpetzen, to inform against (in school), to tell tales; p.p.verrätscht; see also rätsche

verriisse, v.t.,

zerreißen, to tear up, to shred; the p.p. is verrisse;

verroote, v.t.

verraten, preisgeben (auch ungewollt), weitersagen, zu erkennen geben, enthüllen, ausplaudern; to betray, to reveal (also unintentionally), to expose, to divulge, to blab; p.p. verrootet; German p,p, verraten

verruckt, adj.,

erbost, wütend, infuriated, furious; verruckt wärde, sich erbosen, v.r., to get infuriated; verruckt sii, böse sein, to be mad at; also used in der usual German sense of verrückt, crazy, and very, as in s'isch verruckt chaut, es ist verrückt kalt, it is very cold

verruume, v.t.,

wegräumen, to put away, to tidy up

verschlargge, v.t.,

verschmieren, to daub, to smear

verschmusle, v.t.,

beflecken, versiffen; to dirty, to soil

Verschteckis, n.,

Versteckspiel, n., hide-and-seek; Verschteckis schpile, Versteckspiel spielen, to play hide-and-seek; jouer à cache-cache

verschtruble, v.t.,

zerzausen, to dishevel; verschtrublet (French ébouriffé), vergl. German strubbelig, adj., tousled, dishevelled, unkempt

verseckle, vulg., v.t.

täuschen, im Stich lassen, to dupe, to trick, to deceive

Versuecherli, n.,

Kostprobe, f., Häppchen, n., a tasting sample, a bite; vergl. German versuchen in the sense of "to sample food"

versuume, v.t., v.r.,

in the expression eim versuume, jemand von einer Arbeit abhalten, stören, jemandes Zeit verschwenden, jemandes Zeit vertrödeln; to distract someone from a task, to waste somebody's time, to hold someone back, to disturb somebody

vertätsche, v.t.,

zerquetschen, zerschlagen, to squash, to pulverize, to flatten; vergl. German tatschen, v.t. (slang)

vertlehne, v.t.,

ausleihen, to lend; pp. vertlehnt; to borrow would be entlehne, German entlehnen

vertöibe, v.t., v.r.,

v.t. erbosen, erzürnen, to make angry or cross, v.r. sich erbosen, to get mad; see toub

vertörle, v.t., v.r.,

v.t. vertändeln, to idle away; Zit vertörle, seine Zeit vertändeln, to idle away one's time; v.r. seine Zeit vertreiben, to amuse oneself

vertrischaagge, v.t.,

zerfetzen, entstellen, to ruin, to scar

vertrome, v.t.,

zertrümmern, zerteilen, to trash, to take apart; see also Troom

vertschudle, v.t.,

zerzausen, to tousle, to rough up; dr Schturm het d'Blueme vertschudlet, der Sturm hat die Blumen zerzaust, the Storm roughed up the flowers

vertschuppe, v.t.,

zerzausen, verwirren, to tangle, to dishevel; this is a shade stronger than vertschudle, and a touch less good-natured; see also Tschupp; vergl. Ital. sciupato

vertue, v.t.,

verzetteln, v.t., ausstreuen, v.t., to spread, to scatter

verunmögliche, v.t.,

vereiteln, unmöglich machen, to thwart, to render impossible

verwache, v.i.,

erwachen, aufwachen, to wake up; bisch verwachet? bist du aufgewacht? did you wake up?

verwütsche, v.t.,

erwischen, to catch, to nab; also in the sense of to trick: dä het mi verwütscht, er hat mich erwischt, he has tricked me

verzettle, v.t.,

ausbreiten, zerstreuen, to spread, to scatter; Gras verzettle, das Gras ausbreiten, to spread out the grass (to dry it to make hay); also verzette

verzeue, v.t.,

erzählen, to narrate; Gschichtli verzeue, Geschichten erzählen, to narrate stories; eine Erzählung, f., is, however, e Gschicht, f., or es Gschichtli, n., a story; also used in the German sense of verzählen, v.r., to miscount, to count wrong

verzwaschple, v.i.,

verhaspeln, to entangle; i ha mi verzwaschplet, ich habe mich falsch ausgedrückt, I mis-spoke

verzworglet, adj.,

verdreht, twisted

vo, prep.,

von, from; vo Züri, von Zürich, from Zurich

vogte, v.t.,

bevormunden, to act as a guardian to; a Vogt, m., in Swiss usage, is a guardian, apart from being an overseer or bailiff

vom, prep.,

von dem, from the, by; es Gschichtli vom Chropf Kari, a story by Karl Kropf

vome, prep.,

von einem, from a; Härdöpfu vome Pur, Kartoffeln von einem Landwirt, potatoes from a farm; vomene, a phonetic accommodation, Chriesi vomene grosse Boum, Kirschen von einem grossen Baum, cherries from a large tree; vonere, von einer, from a, Fotine vonere Tur, Photos von einem Ausflug, pictures from an excursion; vome säuber, von selbst, by itself; see also anere

voredra, adv.,

vornan, in front of; also voredüre, vorne durch, past the front

voredri, adv.,

vorne hinein, into the front

vörha, v.t.,

vorhalten, vorwerfen, tadeln, to reproach, to remonstrate; eim öppis vörha, jemanden etwas vorwerfen, to reproach something to somebody

vori, adv.

vorhin, soeben, vor einem Augenblick, a short time ago, just now, a moment ago; I hane vori im Garte gseh, ich habe ihn just im Garten gesehen; I just saw him in the garden

vörig, adj.,

übrig, left (over), to spare; was machemer mit em vörige Zimänt? was machen wir mit dem übrigbleibenden Zement? what are we going to do with the excess concrete?; sisch nütme vörig, es bleibt nichts übrig, there is nothing left; not to be confused with förig, q.v.

Vorume, n.,

Bauch, m., Schmerbauch, m., pot-belly, paunch; es Vorume ha, einen Bauch haben, to have a paunch; to be pregnant, to be overweight

voruse, adv.,

hinaus, out, outside; i go voruse, ich gehe hinaus, I am going outside

vorusse, adv.,

draußen, out of doors, outside; i bi gärn vorusse, ich bin gern draußen, I like to be outdoors

vou, adj.,

voll, gefüllt, betrunken (coll.), blau, as they say in Germany, (tipsy), full, filled, drunk, (coll.)

Vreeni, n.,

Verena, auch Vreeneli

Vroni, n.,

Veronika

vüregüggele, v.i.,

hervorgucken, sich zeigen, to peek, to be visible; d’Tulpe güggele scho vüre, die Tulpen zeigen sich schon, the tulips are already coming up

W

wägedäm, adv., conj.,

deshalb, deswegen, also seinetwegen, for this reason, therefore, auch seineswegen, also because of him; wägedäm muesch du nit truurig sii, deswegen brauchst du nicht traurig zu sein, don’t let it bother you (ein Liedlein aus alten Zeiten, an old song); note that it takes Dativ in Swiss, Genitiv in German; the accent is on the last syllable

Wägeli, n.,

kleiner Wagen, small cart; Chinderwägeli, n., Kinderwagen, m., baby carriage, pram

wägemir, expr.,

meinetwegen, meinethalben, meinetwillen, for all I care, I have nothing against it; similar to henusode, q.v.; also used as a prep., wegen mir, because of me; see also mira

wäger, adv.,

wahrlich, sicherlich, in der Tat, truly, indeed; mainly in the phrase jo wäger, ja wahrlich, yes indeed; also jo wägerli, gewiss, indeed,

wäggheie, v.t.,

wegwerfen, to throw away; synonym of furtgheie; see gheie

Wäie, f.,

gebackene Obsttorte, f., baked flan, tart, quiche; for specific example see Zwätschgewäie, which they call Zwetschgenwähe in Hochschwizerdeutsch; Zibelewäie, f., Zwiebelkuchen, m., onion quiche; Wäiebläch, n., Backblech, n., für Obsttorte, baking tin

Wang, f.,

Bernese for Wand, f., wall; pl. Wäng; the Bernese also say Hang for hand, but Sand for sand, so there goes the theory; except that the -nd is used where the -ng would confuse, such as Rand/Rang, Band/bang, Land/lang, etc.; but see also Hung

Wäntele, f.,

Wanze, f., bug (heteroptera); Trinkflasche, f., (military), hipflask

wärche, v.i.,

Bernese for arbeiten, to work; mr tüe gäng chlei wärche, de verlehre mrs nid, wir arbeiten immer ein wenig, dann verlernen wir's nicht, we go on working a little, so we don't forget how; Wärchtig, m., Werktag, m., working-day; amene Wärchtig, an einem Werktag, on a working-day

wärde, v.i., v.aux.,

werden, to become, shall, will; i wirde, du wirsch, är wird, mir wärde, dir wärdet, si wärde; p.p. gworde, also worde; subj. i würdi (also würd), du würdisch, är würdi, mir würde, dir würdit, si würde; wär nüüt wird wird Wirt, he who nails sails fails, with my apologies to the catering and nautical trades

wärwiise, v.t.,

mutmaßen, to conjecture, to guess; there used to be a verb werweißen, and there may still be, in the real world, so I may wärwiise that it comes from wer weiß?, who knows.

Wäschhudu, m.,

Waschlappen, m., dish-cloth, dish-rag; vergl. German Hudel, m.

Wätsch, m.,

Ohrfeige, f., Klaps, m., slap; Wätsch is one, Brätsch and Tätsch are multiples

Wäudli, n.,

kleiner Wald, small patch of forest, copse; es chliis Wäudli

Wauhouz, n.,

Teigrolle, f., Rollholz, n., rolling-pin; also Wauihouz, n.; see also uswaue

Waume, m.,

Walm, m., Wächte, f., windrow, swath, drift, longish heap (of snow, or hay, or other non-countable matter)

Wauti, m.,

Walter

wäutsch, adj.,

welsch, Swiss-Francophone (romand); a Wäutsche, ein Welscher, a Swiss-Francophone, a Romand; vergl. also earlier meaning, as seen in Chuderwäutsch

Wedele, f.,s. and pl.

Reisigbündel, n., faggot; Wedele mache, Reisig binden, to bundle faggots; also Wäue; vergl. Althochdeutsch Wede (Gehölz)

weeneli, adj., adv.,

wenig, little, slightly, very little; also weenelig; similar to es Birebitzeli, q.v.

Weggli, n.,

Semmel, Wecken, m., bun, breakfast roll

weible, v.i.

sich eifrig um eine Sache bemühen, to diligently promote a cause; contains the idea of doing much legwork on behalf of something; vergl. German Weibel, m., bailiff

weidlig, adv.,

geschwind, quickly; also weidli; see also gleitig, tifig

Weidlig, m.,

Kahn, m., boat; wend übere Bach wosch, muesch der Weidlig näh, wenn du den Bach überqueren willst, mußt du den Kahn benützen, if you want to cross the stream, you have to take the boat

Weiefäcke, m., s. and pl.

Löwenzahn m., Löwenzahnkraut, n., dandelion, dandelion greens; taraxacum officinale; see also Söiblueme

weiter?, v.

möchtet ihr? would you like? would you like to?

weiter no witer? möchtet ihr noch weiter gehen? would you like to go on?

wele, inter. adj.,

welcher, which man; weli, welche, which woman; weles, welches, which child, which thing; wele wotsch? welchen willst haben? which one would you like?

welewäg, adv.,

see einewäg

weme, contr.

wenn man, if one; weme wett, wenn man wollte; if one would, weme chönnt, wenn man könnte, if one could

Wi, m.,

Wein, m., wine

Wichtling, m.,

Wichtigtuer, m., braggart, pompous ass; Wichtlig, m.

Widebüüsseli, n., pl.

Weidenkätzchen, n., Palmkätzchen, willow catkins

Widerluege, n.,

Wiedersehn, n., reunion; see uf

Widli, f.,

Weide (Salix) f., willow; Widlichorb, m., Weidenkorb, m., osier basket; Widliruete, f., Weidenrute, f., willow switch; also Wide

Wienerli, n.,

kleine Brühwurst, f., (Wienerwürstchen, n.), frankfurter, frank, wiener, hotdog; es Päärli Wienerli, zwei Würstchen, two franks

wiettewotsch, int.,

wie du willst, as you please, have it your way; also wiedwotsch, also widewotsch

Wiibeeri, n.,

Rosine, f., Weinbeere, f., raisin (dried grape)

Wiili, n.,

Weilchen, n., a little while; wart no nes Wiili, hab' Geduld, be patient for a minute; see also Chehr

wiisge, v.t.,

weißen, v.t., to whitewash; Wiisgi, f., Weiße, f., whitewash

Willi, m.,

Wilhelm

winde, v.i.,

in the expression `es windet` es ist windig, the wind is blowing; winde v.t. is the same as the german winden, to wind; see also chute

witawägg, adv.,

weitab, weit entfernt, far away

Witlig, m.,

Witwer, m., widower; the female Witwe is Witfrau in Swiss, as in German

wiu, conj.,

weil, because

wo, inter.,

wo, where; in Swiss also used as adverb with the meaning of als, as, when; wonig (also woni) hei cho bi, als ich nach Hause kam, when I got home; the liaison with pronouns would be as follows: wonig (woni), wod', woner, wo's, wosi, womer, woder, wosi; also used as rel. pron.: dä wo, derjenige welcher, he who

wohär, rel. and inter. adv.,

woher, where from, whence; wohär chunsch? wo kommst du her? where are you coming from?; jo wohär! kaum! hardly!

wohäre, rel. and inter. adv.,

wohin, where to, wither; wohäre gosch? wo gehst du hin? where are you going?

Woog, f.,

Waage, f., scale; Wasserwoog, f., Wasserwaage, f., spirit level

Woret, f.,

Wahrheit, f., truth; d'Woret säge, die Wahrheit sagen, to tell the truth

wotsch, v.,

willst du, do you want to; mach was wotsch, mach was du willst, do as you please; wotsch öppis? möchtest du was? would you like something?; was wotsch? was willst du? what do you want?; see also wöue, and wiettewotsch

wöue, v.i, v.aux.,

wollen, to be willing, to wish, to want; i wott, du wotsch, är wott, mir wei, dir weit, si wei; p.p. wöue; subj. i wett, du wetsch, är wett, mir wette, dir wettet, si wette (also i wötti, mir wötte, etc., to differ from wette, to bet); i wett i hätt, ich möchte ich hätte, I wish I had; wotsch nomeh? möchtest du noch? would you like some more? Dr Hans im Schnäggeloch het aues was er wott, und was er het das wotter nid und was er wott das hetter nid, etc. etc., a ditty of old

wüescht, adj., adv.,

hässlich, unschön, ugly; eim wüescht säge, jemanden ausschelten, to tell someone off; vergl. German wüst, which has, however, a somewhat different meaning

Wule, f., slang

Wut, f., fury; a Wule ha, zornig sein, to be angry; wulig, adj., zornig, angry; Wolle, f., wool

Wuledecki, f.,

Wolldecke, f., blanket

wunderlig, adj.,

launisch, schlecht gelaunt, unpäßlich, mürrisch; cranky, out of sorts, ill-humoured, moody, grumpy, glum

Wüsch, m.,

Wisch, m., Handvoll, f., bunch, fistful, wisp (straw); a Wüsch Charte, eine Handvoll Karten, a handful of cards

Wuschle, f.,

Büschel, m., tuft; verwirrter Strauss, untidy bouquet

X

Xander, m.,

Alexander, Alex

Xundheit! Int.

I know perfectly well this isn’t the proper home for this word, but given the scarcity of entries under X I have made an exception.

Gesundheit! Bless you! (in response to a person sneezing)

Y

Ygregg, n.,

Ypsilon, the letter Y; vergl. French i grec, the Greek i

Yo, adv., part.,

Ja, yes; yo chasch dänke! kaum! that's what you think!; do isch er yo, da ist er ja, well, here he is; i ha drs yo gseit, ich hab es dir ja gesagt, I told you so; me chönnt yo meine, man würde glauben, you would think; är isch yo süsch a Rächte, ansonsten ist er ja anständig, he is basically ok

Z

z', prep.,

zu, in, at; zBaris, in Paris; zGämf, in Genf, in Geneva; zZüri, in Zürich; zobe, am Abend, in the evening; geschter zobe, gestern abend, yesterday evening; zoberscht, zuoberst, uppermost, zunderscht, zuunterst, at the bottom; used as a shorthand prefix to many words, generally meaning zu~

z’ässeträge, v.t.,

eine Mahlzeit bringen, to bring a meal to someone

z’barfüesslige, adv.,

barfuß, barefoot; see also barfis

z’bodeha, v.i.,

ernsthaft bearbeiten, genügend zu sich nehmen; to tackle seriously, to take enough; sometimes said of food, heit zbode! macht euch dran! dig in!

z’büchlige, adv.,

bäuchlings, on one's stomach, prone

z‘fadeschlo, v.t.,

lose zusammennähen, to baste, to sew loosely; fig. etwas provisorisch festlegen, to organize something tentatively; mir hei üsi Reis afe zfadegschlage, wir haben unsere Reise jetzt mehr oder weniger zusammengestellt, we have sketched out our travel plans

z‘gschtändlige, adj.,

stehend, aufrecht, standing, on ones feet; zgschtändlige chönne dänke, im Fluge denken können, to think on ones feet

z’hingerför, adj.,

übergeschnappt, out of one's mind, crazy; see also hintersinne, hingerför; see also hinderfürschi

z’leid, adv.,

in the expression zleid läbe, erschwierigen, belästigen, to annoy, to work at cross purpose

z’letscht, adv.,

zuletzt, am Ende, last, finally, in the end, at last; zletscht gheisch no um, am Ende fällst du noch, you will end up on your back; dr Letscht, sLetschte, der/das Letzte, also fig., das Übelste, the worst; zalleriletscht, das Allerletzte, the very last thing; Mattäi am Letschte, die letzte Möglichkeit, the last chance, (from the old custom to have to pay one's debts by the last day of the season)

z’ringu ume, adv.,

ringsherum, ringsum, all around, everywhere; zringu ume hets Auperösli gha; ringsherum hatte es Alpenrosen, all around there were alpine roses; see also zäntume; also z’ringelume

z’sitlige, adv.,

seitwärts, sidewards, sideways

zäch, adj.,

zähe, zäh, tough, viscous

Zägg, m.,

Zecke, f., tick

zäh, num.adj.,

zehn, ten

zäme, adv.,

zusammen, together

zämegheie, v.i.,

zusammenbrechen, einstürzen, to collapse; both fig. and lit.; see gheie

zämehänke, v.t.,

zusammen hängen, to join; see also hänke

zämehoue, v.t.,

zusammenschlagen, to beat up, to thrash

zämepfusche, v.i.,

flüchtig bearbeiten, to do a bad job

zämeputsche, v.i.,

zusammenstossen, zusammenprellen, to collide

zämeramisiere, v.t.,

zusammenraffen, einsammeln, to gather up, to round up; also zämeramüsiere; vergl. French ramasser

zämesacke, v.i.,

zusammenbrechen, to collapse, p.p., zämegsacket

zämeschtungge, v.t.,

zusammenpferchen, to jam together; see also

schtungge

zämeschtuuche, v.t.,

zusammenschlagen, to beat up

zämetätsche, v.t.,

aufeinanderprallen, to smash together, to collide

zämetrumele, v.t.,

einberufen, to assemble; lit. to drum together

zäntume, adv.,

überall, rundherum, weitherum, everywhere, all around, as far as you can see; s'het zäntume ke bessere, einen bessern findest du nirgends, you can't find a better one anywhere; vergl. German samt (as in samt und sonders, one and all)

Zäpfi, n.,

Zäpfchen, n., suppository

Zäsi, m.,

Cäsar, Caesar

Zäutli, n.,

Pastille, f., Bonbon, n., lozenge, candy; German dialect Zeltchen, n.; see Täfeli

zechele, v.i.,

auf die Zehenspitzen stehen, to stand on one's toes; für's oberschte Tablar muesch zechele, für das oberste Regal mußt du auf deine Zehen stehen, for the top shelf you have to stand on your toes; Zeche, m., Zehe, f., toe

Zedeli, n.,

Zettel, m., Notizzettel, m., slip of paper, note

zeue, v.t.,

zählen, to count; uf zäh zeue, bis zehn zählen, to count to ten; zämezeue, zusammenzählen, to add up; see also verzeue

zibberle, v.i.,

tänzeln, to skip, to caper

Zibele, f.,

Zwiebel, f., onion (further east reduced to Böle); Zibelewäie, onion flan, a kind of quiche; Zibelemärit, m., Zwiebelmarkt, m., the famous onion market day in Bern; vergl. Ital. cipolla

ziggischpile, v.i.,

kriegenspielen, haschen, to play tag; also Fangis schpile

ziggle, v.i.,

plänkeln, herumhüpfen, to skirmish, to gambol; often in the sense of a prelude to a fight; derives perhaps from the play of goats (Ziegen, f.pl.)

Ziischtig, m.,

Dienstag, Tuesday; also Ziischti

Zilete, f.,

Reihe, f., row, line, convoy; also fig. e ganzi Zilete Usreede, eine ganze Reihe Ausreden, a whole lot of excuses; vergl. German Zeile, f.

Zimis, n.,

Mittagsimbiß, m., lunch; coincidentally, in jiddisch, tsimmes is carrot pudding

Zingge, m.,

from Zinke, f., tine; a roote Zingge, eine rote Nase, a red nose, taken as a sign of drinking too much

zipfe, v.i.,

gleiten, rutschen, to slip, to slither; uszipfe, v.i., ausgleiten, to slip; ziferle, v.i., gleiten, to slide; perhaps from German Seife, f., which in Züritütsch is sometimes called Söipfe

Zipfi, f.,

Gleitbahn, f., slide; eine vereiste Strecke, an ice-covered stretch; see also uszipfe, zipfe

Zit, f.,

Zeit, f., time; was isch für Zit? wieviel Uhr ist es, what time is it, quelle heure est-il; in Basel and Zurich it's the longer "Zyt".

Remember the old song?

"D'Zit isch do, d'Zit isch do!" singt's uf em Nussboum scho. Gugguh,

"d'Zit isch do, d'Zit isch do!" singt's uf em Nussboum scho,

singt's uf em Schlehdornhag,

singt's was es singe mag;

's isch Meietag, 's isch Meietag.

which makes light of the fact that time is the strangest ingredient in the soup of our existence; see also derzit ha. (And a Schlehdorn is a prunus spinosa, a Blackdorn. It has the most delightful little flowers.)

Zit, n.,

Uhr, f., Wanduhr, f., clock; das isch es schöns Zit, das ist eine schöne Wanduhr, this is a beautiful clock; du muesch de no s'Zit ufzie, vergiß nicht die Wanduhr aufzuziehen, remember to wind up the clock.

Z'Schwyz am Zit schiint d'Sunne, und wenn si z'Schwyz am Zit nit schiint, de schiint si am Zit z'Brunne (ein Zungenbrecher, a tongue-twister)

Zitig, f.,

Zeitung, f., newspaper; i dr Zitig cho, in der Zeitung erwähnt werden, to make the news; when my parents had their 60th wedding anniversary si si i dr Zitig cho, und am Radio ou

Zitteri, m.,

Zittern, n., tremors; dr Zitteri ha, zittern, to tremble, to have the heebie-jeebies; mainly from old age; see also Schlotteri

Zmittag, n.,

Mittagessen, n., lunch

zmitts, adv., prep.

in der Mitte, inmitten, in the middle, in the midst of;

Zmorge, n.,

Frühstück, n., breakfast

Znacht, n.,

Nachtessen, supper

Znüni, n.,

Vormittagsimbiß, m., Jause, f., forenoon snack (around 9 a.m.)

Zobe, n.,

später Nachmittagsimbiß, m., late afternoon snack; between Zvieri and Znacht; also Zobig; das Überspringen dieser Mahlzeit erfordert eine päpstliche Dispensation, the skipping of this meal requires papal dispensation, technically true of all meals starting with Z

zobe, adv.,

abends, in the evening; hüt zobe, heute abend, tonight

zoggle, v.i.,

gehen (coll.), to walk; dervoozoggle, abziehen, to go away; also abzoggle; vergl. Italian zoccolo (clog)

zöiggle, v.t.,

anstacheln, aufhetzen, to provoke, to goad, to tease; du muesch dr Hund nit zöiggle, du sollst den Hund nicht hetzen, you mustn't bait the dog

zöisle, v.i.,

mit Feuer spielen, gokeln, v.i. (dial.), to play with fire, to play with matches; also zöiserle; vergl. German zünden, Zunder, m.

Zötteli, n., s., and pl.

Quaste, f., tassel, pom-pom

zrugg, adv. or sep.pref.,

zurück, back, backwards; also zrügg; öppis zrugg übercho, etwas zurückkriegen, to get something back

Züber, m.,

Zober, m. (also Zuber), tub; a large two-handled tub, as in wash-tub; a bath-tub is, however, a Badwanne, f., German Badewanne

zueche, adv., sep. pref.

hin, zu, to, at; Bernese version of zue; sitzet zueche, kommt zu Tisch, setzt Euch bitte, please come and be seated; zueche hocke, sich zu Tische setzen, to be seated at table

zuedräie, v.t.,

zudrehen, zurückstellen, vermindern, to shut off, to turn off, (for example a faucet)

zuegheie, v.i., v.t.,

zuklappen, sich schliessen, to close, to shut itself accidentally

zuelo, v.t.,

zulassen, gestatten, to allow, to permit, to let approach; see also lo

zueluege, v.i.,

zuschauen, zusehen, to watch, to look on; see also luege

zuetue, v.t.,

schließen, to close; hesch Türe zueto? hast du die Türe geschlossen? did you close the door?; also erwerben, to acquire, in the sense of dazutun, är het as Outo zueto, er hat sich einen Wagen gekauft, he bought himself a car; dr Schirm zuetue, ins Gras beißen, to kick the bucket

zügle, v.i.,

umziehen, to move house; Züglete, f., Umzug, m., removal, move (as from one abode to another)

zunanduusgheie, v.t.,

auseinanderfallen, to fall apart; also zunandusegheie, also zunandusgheie; s Bäbihuus isch zunanduusgheit, das Puppenhaus fiel auseinander, the doll-house fell apart; see gheie

zunderobsi, adv., adj.,

drunter und drüber, higgledy-piggledy, topsy-turvy, upside down; also underobsi; also fig., i bi ganz zunderobsi, ich bin ganz verwirrt, I am all mixed up

Zündhöuzli, n.,

Streichholz, n., match; also Zündhölzli, n.

Zündhöuzlischächteli, n.,

Streichholzschächtelchen, n. (a nice example of a composite noun, and a tongue-twister for the foreign-born), match box

Züpfe, f.,

Hefezopf, m., braided bread, plait

züpfle, v.t.,

flechten, to braid; dr Mischt züpfle, den Misthaufen flechten, to braid the manure hill, a must on a Swiss farm, you think I am kidding, go see; vergl. German Zopf, m., pigtail, plait, tress

zusserscht, adv.,

zuäußerst, outermost; zusserscht uss, am letzten Ende, at the very end, in extremis

Züüg, n.,

Kram, m., Sachen, f.pl., stuff, junk; Züghuus, n., Zeughaus, n., armoury, arsenal

zveu, adv.,

zuviel, too much; zveu gässe ha, zuviel gegessen haben, to have eaten too much

Zvieri, n.,

Nachmittagsimbiß, m., Versperbrot, n., Jause, f., afternoon snack (around 4 p.m.)

zvorderscht, adv.,

zuvorderst, at the front, up front, in the first rank; zvorderscht vore, zuvorderst vorne, an der Spitze, at the very front, in the first rank or line

zwäg, adj.,

recht gesund, reasonably well; mir si zwäg, es geht uns recht, we are doing ok; vergl. German zuwege (dial.); also bereit, ready; mir si zwäg, wir sind bereit, we are ready

zwägbüschele, v.t.,

zurechtlegen, to arrange

zwägchlöpfe, v.t.,

notdürftig flicken, to slap together

zwägmache, v.t.,

bereitmachen, zurechtmachen, zurechtlegen, ordnen; to ready, to prepare, to put in order

zwänge, v.t.,

etwas erzwingen wollen, to insist beyond reason, to behave contrarily; in particular of children: to have a tantrum; see also düreschtiere

Zwängerei, f.,

Rechthaberei, f., übermässiger Eigensinn, m., obstinacy, excessive wilfulness; see also düreschtiere

Zwäng-Gring, m.,

Starrkopf, m., stubborn person, mule (coll.); also Zwäng-Grind; see also Grind

zwänzg, num.adj.,

zwanzig, twenty

Zwänzgabachtischnörre, f.,

ein trauriges Gesicht, a sad face; from the position of the hands of a clock at 20 past eight; regrettably, there is no record of a Zähvorzwöigsicht, which would be a smiley face

Zwaschpu, m.,

Wirrkopf, m., muddle-head; vergl. German verhaspeln; see also verzwaschple; see also zwirblig, Zwirb

Zwätschgewäie, f.,

Obsttorte, f., mit Zwetschgen, plum flan;

How to make:

do a flaky pie crust dough (packaged will do), roll it to about 3 mm and lay it in a buttered pie-tin, double around the edge, prick it a few times with a fork, scatter a thin layer of grated hazelnuts over it, and range halves of plums (without the pits) over it; put in oven at 220°C for 10 minutes; take out and pour on a filling (mix 2 eggs, 1 dl milk, 1 dl cream, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, half an envelope of vanilla sugar); back into oven for 20 to 25 minutes; dust with ordinary granulated sugar; can be served slightly warm, delicious with Nidle, q.v.

zweeni, adv.,

zuwenig, too little; hesch zweeni ufpasst, du hast zuwenig aufgepaßt, you paid too little attention

Zwefränkler, m.,

Zweifrankenmünze, f., two-franc piece; also Zwöifränkler, m.

zwicke, v.t.,

all the meanings of German zwicken, to pinch, nip, tweak; but also to slap; bis rueig, oder i zwick dr eis! sei ruhig oder ich hau dir eins! be quiet or you'll get it!; Zwick, m., is the lash of the whip, specifically the hard string at the end of the lash, but the action is not of whipping but rather of a quick call to order

zwirblig, adj.,

schwindlig, taumelnd, giddy, dizzy;

Zwirbu, m.,

Wirrkopf, m., rastloses Kind, somebody who can't sit still, fig. a jack-in-the-box; vergl. German zwirbeln, v.t.

zwöi, num.adj.,

zwei, two; sometimes zwo, as also in German, to distinguish it more clearly from drei; z'zwöit, adj., zu zweien, in twos

zwöiergattig, adj.,

zweierlei, of two kinds; zwöiergattig Lüt, zweierlei Menschen, men and women