Nov 4, 2005 11:22
19 yrs ago
2 viewers *
German term
United Kingdom
Hummel, Hummel - Mors, Mors
German to English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Can anyone tell me what this Hamburg greeting means please! If it is untranslateable, a rough idea will do. (Is it commonly used - or just in the docks area?)
Thanks very much!
Thanks very much!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +4 | A "Hi There" used by people of Hamburg... |
w.wagner
|
| 3 | A traditional Hamburg greeting |
James Johnson
|
| 3 | in support of W. Wagner |
Jonathan MacKerron
|
Proposed translations
+4
12 mins
Selected
A "Hi There" used by people of Hamburg...
This is local to the city/state of Hamburg.
Its origin is related to the water bearer Johann Wilhelm Bentz, (1787 to 1854) who apparently was a very unfreindly and sullen character.
The previous inhabitant of the appartment where Mr. Bentz lived was the guardsman Daniel Christian Hummel who was very popular.
Street children called after Mr. Bentz "Hummel, Hummel" to tease and annoy him. Mr. bentz could not defend himself under the weight of the water he was carrying. His only reply was "Mors, Mors".
This is an abbreviation of low-german "Klei mi an Mors", meaning "up yours" or "lick my a...".
The term was revived when the registration number of vehicles in the city of Hamburg was changed to HH for "Hansestadt Hamburg" i.e. "Hummel, Hummel ....".
(Sorry for any mistakes)
Its origin is related to the water bearer Johann Wilhelm Bentz, (1787 to 1854) who apparently was a very unfreindly and sullen character.
The previous inhabitant of the appartment where Mr. Bentz lived was the guardsman Daniel Christian Hummel who was very popular.
Street children called after Mr. Bentz "Hummel, Hummel" to tease and annoy him. Mr. bentz could not defend himself under the weight of the water he was carrying. His only reply was "Mors, Mors".
This is an abbreviation of low-german "Klei mi an Mors", meaning "up yours" or "lick my a...".
The term was revived when the registration number of vehicles in the city of Hamburg was changed to HH for "Hansestadt Hamburg" i.e. "Hummel, Hummel ....".
(Sorry for any mistakes)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ulrike Kraemer
: Very interesting story, indeed :-) I wonder if Lisa will find a suitable Englisch translation...
8 mins
|
| agree |
Frosty
11 mins
|
| agree |
BrigitteHilgner
: As far as I know, this is so closely linked to Hamburg that any attempt at a transfer into another language must fail.
41 mins
|
| agree |
Oliver Annacker
: with Brigitte
1 hr
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
31 mins
A traditional Hamburg greeting
Might be an idea.
Hummel, Hummel - Mors, Mors, a traditional Hamburg greeting.
Though I must admit, Ian's suggestion is far more amusing.
Hummel, Hummel - Mors, Mors, a traditional Hamburg greeting.
Though I must admit, Ian's suggestion is far more amusing.
25 mins
Jonathan MacKerron
Native in English
Retired as of Jan 2019!
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
63
in support of W. Wagner
Duden=
"Hum|mel: in dem Begrüßungsruf H., H.! (Ruf, mit dem sich früher Hamburger untereinander in der Fremde begrüßten; als Erwiderung darauf gilt: Mors, Mors! [niederd. mors = Arsch]; nach einem Hamburger Original namens Hummel u. dessen Antwort auf den hänselnden Anruf mit seinem Namen)."
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Note added at 29 mins (2005-11-04 11:51:30 GMT)
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perhaps something like "Who's the bee going to sting" to which the response "your ass!"
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Note added at 34 mins (2005-11-04 11:56:52 GMT)
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"hi there Mr. Bee" / "up yours"
"Hum|mel: in dem Begrüßungsruf H., H.! (Ruf, mit dem sich früher Hamburger untereinander in der Fremde begrüßten; als Erwiderung darauf gilt: Mors, Mors! [niederd. mors = Arsch]; nach einem Hamburger Original namens Hummel u. dessen Antwort auf den hänselnden Anruf mit seinem Namen)."
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 29 mins (2005-11-04 11:51:30 GMT)
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perhaps something like "Who's the bee going to sting" to which the response "your ass!"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 34 mins (2005-11-04 11:56:52 GMT)
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"hi there Mr. Bee" / "up yours"
Discussion
might be of interest :)