Schlafittchen
German
Etymology
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 adapations.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʃlaˈfɪtçən/ Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "prescriptive standard" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E.
- IPA(key): /ʃlaˈvɪtçən/ Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "commoner, at least in northern and central Germany" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E.
Audio: (file)
Noun
Schlafittchen n (genitive Schlafittchens, plural Schlafittchen)
- (informal) something on somebody’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.