Hampelmann

See also: hampelmann

German
FWOTD – 25 June 2014
Hampelmann

Etymology

From hampeln +‎ Mann.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈhampl̩ˌman/, /ˈhampəlˌman/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Hampelmann m (strong, genitive Hampelmannes or Hampelmanns, plural Hampelmänner, feminine Hampelfrau)

  1. jumping-jack (toy)
  2. (by extension) person who is weak of will and easily influenced: pushover, puppet
    • 1921, Rudolf Steiner, Menschenerkenntnis und Unterrichtsgestaltung, 6th speech
      Wir dürfen nicht Hampelmänner der Zeitrichtung sein, die sich am Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts und am Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts herausgebildet hat.
      We are not allowed to be jumping-jacks of the direction of our time, which has formed in the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.
  3. (by extension) hyperactive person; spaz
  4. jumping-jack (exercise)

Declension
Declension of Hampelmann [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Hampelmann die Hampelmänner
genitive eines des Hampelmannes, Hampelmanns der Hampelmänner
dative einem dem Hampelmann, Hampelmanne1 den Hampelmännern
accusative einen den Hampelmann die Hampelmänner

1Now rare, see notes.

Descendants
  • → Kashubian: hómpelman

Further reading
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