fensterln

German

FWOTD – 15 November 2015

Etymology

From the South German dialectal diminutive Fensterl (“small window”), from Fenster.

Pronunciation

• Audio (Austria):

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɛnstɐln/

Verb

1. (Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland) to visit a girl who is the object of one's affections at night, either by coming to her window or by climbing through it into her room
   • 1996, Roland Girtler, Sommergetreide: vom Untergang der bäuerlichen Kultur, p. 105:

     Die Alten waren zwar selber einmal jung und haben auch gefensterlt, aber trotzdem haben sie gepaßt.

     The old men were indeed young once themselves and have visited girls at night, but nevertheless they have been suitable.

Related terms

• Fenster

Further reading

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