außen hui, innen pfui

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German[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Literally, “Outside wow, inside yuck”. Perhaps inspired by Matthew 23:27,[1] but the notion can also have arisen independently in everyday life.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˌaʊ̯sən ˈhʊɪ̯ ˌɪnən ˈ(p)fʊɪ̯/

Phrase[edit]

außen hui, innen pfui

  1. (idiomatic, informal) Expresses that something is attractive by first appearance, but repugnant underneath/in truth; generally applicable, e.g. to packaged goods, houses, people, ideologies, etc.

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1611, →OCLC, Matthew 23:27.: “Woe vnto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for yee are like vnto whited sepulchres, which indeed appeare beautifull outward, but are within full of dead mens bones, and of all vncleannesse.”

Further reading[edit]

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