Schlafittchen

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German

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Etymology

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18th century, but probably older. Generally explained as a reinterpretation (as a diminutive) of Schlafittichen, dative plural of obsolete Schlafittich, itself from an underlying *Schlagfittich, from schlagen (to strike, thrash) +‎ Fittich (wing of a bird), from the way a bird is grabbed by its thrashing wings. This requires that the word is of Central or Low German origin and that southern forms like Schlafittel are later adaptations.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ʃlaˈfɪtçən/ (prescriptive standard)
  • IPA(key): /ʃlaˈvɪtçən/ (commoner, at least in northern and central Germany)
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

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Schlafittchen n (strong, genitive Schlafittchens, plural Schlafittchen)

  1. (informal) something on someone’s back by which they are grabbed in order to push or pull them: the collar, the hem of the jacket, the scruff of the neck
    Er packte den Betrunkenen am Schlafittchen und warf ihn raus.
    He grabbed the drunk man by his collar / by the scruff of his neck and threw him out.

Declension

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