gammeln

German

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡaməln/, [ˈɡaməln], [ˈɡaml̩n]

Etymology 1

Via (deprecated template usage) [etyl] German Low German from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle Low German gamelen, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old Saxon (attested in the past participle gigamalōd). Cognate to Old English gamolian. The verb pertains to an adjective meaning “old” attested in Middle Dutch gamel, Old English gamol, Old Norse gamall (whence forms in all modern Scandinavian languages).

Verb

1. (of food or figurative) to become old; to rot

   Das Brot von letzter Woche gammelt im Schrank.

   Last week’s bread is rotting in the cupboard.

Derived terms

• Gammel
• gammelig
• vergammeln

Etymology 2

Originally a southern German dialect word. Derived from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle High German gamel, variant of gamen (“amusement”), from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old High German gaman. Related to English game.

Verb

1. (informal) to bum around; to do nothing productive; to be idle; to live the life of a hobo

   Nach der Schule hab ich zwei Jahre nur gegammelt.

   After finishing school I haven't done anything productive for two years.

Derived terms

• Gammler