Car Talk Is Funnier Here
- Aug 8, 2017
- 3 min read
Germany is internationally recognized for its superb auto design and manufacturing. Audi, BMW, Daimler-Benz, Opel, Porsche and Volkswagen are all brands that are relied upon worldwide for their craftsmanship, high quality, and performance. Though it can be quite exciting to drive a German car on the Autobahn, something that may be just as entertaining for pleasure-seekers (like myself) could be pronouncing the motoring words themselves.
As an example, to a speaker of English, the word Ausfahrt (pronounced “owss-fart”) is amusing for reasons that escape few. Though it means “exit,” loads of droll British and American people relegate it to the bodily function that occurs when one indulges in gassy foods, including fresh onions (which in Germany are famous for creating what they politely call Musik and are often served on handmade cheese, but that's another laughing matter). Ausfahrt has gotten so much attention that souvenir shops sell the exit signs to visitors so they can take them home and entertain friends as well.
Ausfahrt is not the only funny auto-related word in Germany. Many automobile parts also sound quite silly to our English-acclimated ears. Take for example the word for exhaust system, Auspuff (“owss-poof”). Funnily enough, it also brings to mind the passing of gas, and quite literally, that is what it does!
Speakers of English find the word Ausfahrt quite entertaining. PHOTO: Karlheinz Weiss
Very recently, when driving past a service station that features Auspuffservice, my colleagues and I fell into an unstoppable giggling fit. Not only is pronouncing Auspuffservice comedic, but when Mariette in the back seat added her bit about it aiding in eine gute Fahrt, we all burst out laughing until we cried, tears streaming down our faces the rest of the way home.
The word for exhaust/exhaust system – Auspuff – can create some hilarious moments. - PHOTO: Kristina Stellhorn
For those of you that don’t know, eine Fahrt is a ride, a trip, or a journey. After reporting the traffic, German radio hosts/DJs regularly wish drivers who are speeding along the freeway or those stuck in traffic jams eine gute Fahrt. It’s polite and considerate, exemplifying the fact that Germans are a cultured people; to simpler minds and non-Teutonic ears, it's funny. Combined with Auspuff, it's even funnier.
There are other examples. Take the word for car fender, which is Kotflügel. It sounds like some kind of winter flying machine, but the word actually originated from horse-and-wagon days, when Kot (in this case horse apples) was prevented from flying into the passenger compartment by the Flügel (“wings”). The word is still used today.
Admittedly, English has some funny car part names, including “dipstick,” which we may also use as an insult from time to time. Auf Deutsch, that is Ölmessstab. What about the bumper, or Stoßstange? It looks and sounds funny.
A cylinder is der Zylinder, cylinder heads are Zylinderköpfe, and die Zylinderkopfdichtung is the cylinder head gasket. As you can see, the German language is big on compound words, and if you’re not a local, speaking a mouthful every time you talk cars can also be challenging, but humorous (or not so much, if you’re conversing with a serious Mechaniker).
There is also the Vergaser, which is the carburetor, something you don’t want plugged up, or you’ll be stuck. And hopefully your Lichtmaschine (alternator) won’t fail on you like mine did, all power in the car eventually going out during a heavy rainstorm on the way back from the airport after an exhausting three-day training in another country, with a car full of co-workers. First the battery light came on, then the windows didn't budge, the windshield wipers – Scheibenwischer – started churning very slowly, other dashboard warning lights started to flash or turn on one by one, and finally, the car went kaputt. That was an excruciating Abschleppwagen (tow truck) day for sure.
Getting abgeschleppt (towed) is no laughing matter. - PHOTO: Kristina Stellhorn
There it is: perhaps the funniest word one can come across in Germany, but a very serious matter. You don’t want to get abgeschleppt for any reason at all. Thankfully, German cars are so reliable you don't have much to fear. However, a broken-down vehicle isn’t your only opportunity to get abgeschleppt. Parking illegally anywhere, in front of someone’s driveway or an Einfahrt (opposite of Ausfahrt), and not paying parking fees will also get your car taken away.
Let’s face it: Germans are a serious people who make excellent cars, but the German language can be very funny to outsiders. When you need a good laugh, just grab your auto manual, and let the Ausfahrt rip.
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