Schlappschwanz

German

Etymology

From schlapp (“limp”) +‎ Schwanz (“cock, dick, penis”, literally “tail”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃlapˌʃvant͡s/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: Schlapp‧schwanz

Noun

Schlappschwanz m (strong, genitive Schlappschwanzes, plural Schlappschwänze)

1. (derogatory, slightly vulgar) a weakling; a quitter; a limpdick

   Synonyms: Feigling, Schwächling, Warmduscher, Weichling

Usage notes

• The word is much less vulgar than its etymology would imply. It is even sometimes used towards and by children. Nevertheless, one should be prudent with it.

Declension

Declension of Schlappschwanz [masculine, strong]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Schlappschwanz	die	Schlappschwänze
genitive	eines	des	Schlappschwanzes	der	Schlappschwänze
dative	einem	dem	Schlappschwanz, Schlappschwanze1	den	Schlappschwänzen
accusative	einen	den	Schlappschwanz	die	Schlappschwänze

¹Now rare, see notes.

Further reading

• “Schlappschwanz” in Duden online
• “Schlappschwanz” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache