[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Sayings and Tales

[Reiner Kerp]

> But "dumkof" was the favourite my Dad used when
> dealing with two of my brothers.

"dumkof" is Dummkopf is "stupid!"

> One phrase that my Dad used a lot and loosely translates

"to'slide off my back....?" is "rutsch mir den Buckel (he)runter!".

May grandfather tought me:
"Was ein Ha"kchen werden will, das kru"mme sich beizeiten"
meaning:
Who wants to become a hook, should start bending in time.

or

"Mit dem Hute in der Hand kommst du durch das ganze Land"
meaning:
with your hat in your hand you get everywhere in the country (being polite
paves your way).

When I asked him where is left (or right) he teased me:
Links ist da, wo der Daumen rechts ist.
meaning:
left is, where the thumb is right.

My mother tought me:

"Schick dich in die Welt hinein, denn dein Kopf ist viel zu klein, dass sich
schickt die Welt hinein."
meaning roughly:
arrange yourself with the world because the world will not make arrangements
with you.


Reiner