der Herzen

German

Etymology

Literally, “of the hearts [of the public]”. Generalized from Meister der Herzen (“champions of the hearts”), an epithet widely used by the media in 2001 referring to Schalke 04 after they had dramatically lost (in stoppage time of the last match) what would have been their first German championship since 1958.

Phrase

der Herzen

1. (especially sports, sometimes sarcastic) Characterizes someone who ultimately lost, but has won the sympathy of the public.

   Mit Fieber angetreten, gewann sie die Silbermedaille und wurde Olympiasiegerin der Herzen.

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   Wenn er diese Klausur verhaut, wird er höchstens noch Abiturient der Herzen.

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