gehl

See also: Gehl

German

Etymology

See the lemma gelb. Compare also the alternation between fahl and falb, in which the b-less form has become the normal one.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡeːl/
• Homophone: Gel

Adjective

gehl (comparative gehler, superlative am gehlsten)

1. (regional) Alternative form of gelb: yellow
   • 1954, Heinrich Böll, Haus ohne Hüter:

     Gut und schön und warm auch klang der Spruch »Safran macht den Kuchen gehl«.

Usage notes

• The form remains familiar to the general public chiefly from the following famous nursery song in which it is maintained for rhyme:

Backe, backe Kuchen! ― Bake, bake cake!

Der Bäcker hat gerufen. ― The baker has called.

Wer will schönen Kuchen backen, ― Whoever wants to bake good cake,

Der muss haben sieben Sachen: ― He must have seven things:

Eier und Schmalz, ― Eggs and lard,

Butter und Salz, ― Butter and salt,

Zucker und Mehl, ― Sugar and flour,

Safran macht den Kuchen gehl. ― Saffron makes the cake yellow.

Further reading

• “gehl” in Duden online

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Pennsylvania German

Etymology

Compare German gelb, Dutch geel, English yellow.

Adjective

gehl

1. yellow

Derived terms

• Gehlrieb