The Specials

Win VIP tickets

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
October 26, 2004

Germans love bits and bobs

By Alexandra Blair, Education Correspondent

IT HAS taken three months and almost 23,000 people in 111 countries, but between them they have chosen the “most beautiful” German word.

Goethe’s tongue does not always chime in harmony with the languages of Racine or Dante, but when the word went out, film directors, schoolchildren and professors fell over themselves to compete. And the winner is: Habseligkeiten. Translating as “bits and pieces”, it can range from shells in a child’s bag to lucky charms among the keys and coins in a pocket. “The word doesn’t signify ownership or wealth of a person. However, it does refer to his possessions . . . in a friendly, compassionate way — the kind of possessions collected by a six-year-old, which he joyfully displays when he turns out his pockets,” Doris Kalka, a secretary at the University of Tübingen, wrote. “It can also express the few belongings of someone who has lost his home and has to transport them to wherever there is shelter.”

The poll attracted 22,838 entries. Liebe, love, was the most popular single word in Germany and in Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and Bulgaria. In America, Gemütlichkeit, which means warmth or cosiness, was the favourite and in Britain, it was Schmetterling, or butterfly.

Print
Email
Bookmark and Share

Also in World News

Also in News

Swat Valley refugees

A local resident of Sultanwas in Buner, Pakistan, Abdul Rab stands by a fallen minaret of local mosque destroyed during fierce fighting between Pakistani security forces and militants

Thousands of Pakistanis return to Swat Valley

Slide Show

Comment    

Anthony Brenton
 

A simple way to promote democracy is to set up an international group that only truly democratic states can belong to  

More...
Tony Brenton

British troops

British troops of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guard in transport to a forward operating base in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The Times out on patrol with British soldiers in Afghanistan

Slide Show

Comment Central

Michael Jackson

Did Michael Jackson steal the song Billie Jean?

in depth

Orange jumpsuit

World Agenda

Times experts explain the issues behind the headlines

Most Read

Skip Most Read

Today

MOST COMMENTED

Skip Editor's Pick

Today

MOST CURIOUS

Skip Most Curious

Today

Focus Zone

Angel of the north

Northern Lights:

Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here

BT

Business Solutions:

Risk, resilience and embracing new technology

accenture

Need to Know:

Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast

Cisco

Business Wisdom:

Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs:

The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors

ba business travel clouds

Business Travel:

Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip

rowing boats

Great British Summer :

Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday

Corsica

Corsica Travel:

Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination

More Reports

More reports:

Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more

previous next
The Singapore skyline pictured at night

Business city guides

Overseas contacts and local business information

Money symbol on computer key

Find an IFA

Find a local independent financial advisor

Financial Brochures

The Times Health Club

Time to get fit?

Track your fitness goals together with other members

Free credit report

Online credit history with CreditExpert from Experian

Sudoku

Online Sudoku with daily prizes

Popular Searches on Times Online

books | chess | crossword | fashion | football | formula 1 | Michael Jackson | need to know | obituaries | recipes | redundancy calculator | rich list | savings | science | sudoku | swine flu | twitter | university guide | wine | travel deals

Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

Classifieds 

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Car leasing


The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™

New Audi A5 Coupe from £399.99 inc VAT

2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)

Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week
Economist

£23,093 - £56,211
The Office for National Statistics
Newport, South Wales

Finance & Corporate Services Manager

£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol

Programme Manager

Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands

Sales Professionals

OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities

Properties

Rushmore Condo's

Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views

Diadem Homes

The best new homes in Wimbledon?

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Virgin Atlantic 2009 Cruise Deals

Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!


Amazing Cruise Deals With Virgin Holidays Cruises

Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!


5 * Moscow break from £499 pp inc flights

5 star quality at a 3 star price.


Canada for Less.. fly from £129 one way inc taxes

8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper


Place your advert now