Tuesday, February 10, 2009

German word of the week

What a coincidence.

This week's German word of the week, courtesy of Deutsche Welle, is the second pork-themed GWOTW (January 20th featured Eierlegende Wollmilchsau). Is Deutsche Welle now catering to my love of pig meat?

The German word of the week is:

Rampensau


Imagine a large pig running along a ramp, jumping and squealing, or showing off its skateboard skills -- like it or not, it commands your attention. That is exactly what a human Rampensau -- "ramp sow" -- aims to do. Whether it's on stage, in a concert, on a TV shows or during an otherwise boring presentation, a Rampensau wants to be center stage and attract everyone's attention. The term comes from the theater world where "ramp" refers to the boundary between the stage and the audience. Originally, a Rampensau was an actor who reveled in his role and made the best of it, minor though it may be. While a Rampensau may steal the limelight, the term is used more in a descriptive than a negative way.
A quick Google image search for "Rampensau" revealed these images:






_____________________

I think I know what they mean.

If you'd like to see the American version of a whole herd of Rampensau, check out my new super-favorite TV program, Vh1's I Love Money 2. I'm ready to pronounce it my new super-favorite show after watching the last 10 minutes of this season's first episode. The show is populated by the denizens of former Vh1 masterpieces like Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, I L
ove New York and Real Chance of Love. Each contestant is truly a celebrity at the top of his or her game. They are all making good use of every single second of their 15 minutes. I mean, any time I can turn on a television and see a hot ghetto mess in lingerie announce that her strategy is to be sexy and "use all my plaaay", I'm a happy man.

The only drawback was I almost felt a need to go get myself checked for STD after watching it.

10 comments:

SkylersDad said...

Someday I hope to perfect my ventriloquism act with a large stuffed penis and become rich and famous.

Randal Graves said...

Like you don't use all your plaaaay when you're out there bustin' perps.

Anonymous said...

See that's why I keep coming back here. I'm almost fluent in German now. I just might move there.

Gifted Typist said...

Can you put pronunciations in your GWOTWs? Just so we can roll them around in front of the mirror?

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Those Germans, they have a different word for everything.

Cormac Brown said...

More proof that basically, all the Germans manage to get right are food, appliances, women, and cars. With everything else, they feel compelled to turn it into some kind of kitschfest, jah?

kim said...

There is a sitcom in this post somewhere.

bubbles said...

I love this blog. Can't leave without a good laugh!!

Anonymous said...

Rampensau, I love it.

justacoolcat said...

I am going to use Rampensau all day tomorrow, well at least during my 9 and 11 stripping set.