double posted
Before I moved to Germany I was sent a Glossary of English/German Motoring phrases. Here are a few from the sheet:
Windscreen Wiper
Die Flippenflappen-Muckenshpredder
Indicators
Die Tickentocken-Blinkenleiten
Estate Car
Der Bagzeroomfurschagginauto
Seat Belt
Der Klunkenklicken Fräuleinstrapper
Cyclist
Der Peddallpushink Pilloken
Skid
Der Banannen Waltzen
Learner
Die Twatten mit Elplate
Power Brakes
Der Edbangeronwinschreen stoppenquick
Headlights
Das Dippendontdazzelubasted
Windscreen wiper system
Die Scheibenwischerwaschanlage
Speedometer
Der Geschwindigkeitsanzeiger
Actually the last two are correct German words. Sometimes the long words are not so easy to read as they seem to go on forever and forever.
What can be funny is all the “chen” added at the end of words to make it smaller (pronounced like shyen) i.e. Das Brötchen, the direct translation is little bread which are rolls or Das Bäumchen which is a little tree. A very colourful language.
Colin
Interesting thing is, that since these are new developments long after the United States separated from Britain, the differences between U.S. English and U.K. are especially pronounced.
US: Windshield Wiper
US: Blinkers
US: Station wagon
US: Windshield Wiper System