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Schmäh. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Schmäh, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
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Bavarian
Etymology
From Middle High German smæhe, from Old High German smāhi. Alternative proposals are Yiddish שמע (shma, “tale; the things heard”), and Rotwelsch Schmee (“cant, lie, fine humour”).
Pronunciation
Noun
Schmäh m (plural Schmäh) (chiefly Austria)
- harmless lie
- Geh, des is doch a Schmäh. ― Come on, that's a lie.
- (derogatory) deception, trickery, tricks, swindle, lie, con
- Mit dem Schmäh håm's dena Leit is Göd aus der Tåschn zogn. ― They wheedled money out of peoples' pockets with this con.
- Geh, schleich di mit dein Schmäh. ― Bugger off with your tricks.
- (derogatory) hollow phrase; empty promise; large talk or idea without substance
- De Politiker derzöhn eh nur lauter Schmäh. ― Politicians only spout hollow phrases anyway.
- Dånn woa des ois nur a Schmäh? ― It was all empty promises then?
- chit-chat, small talk
- Mim Schaffner in der Båhn håmma immer an kurzn Schmäh. ― We always have a quick chit-chat with the conductor on the train.
- Månche Leit woin ned nur wås kaufn im Gschäft, sondern ah a bissl an Schmäh fiahrn. ― Some people don't just want to buy something in the shop, but also want to have a bit of small talk.
- humour, joke, banter; sense of humour
- Der håd an leiwandn Schmäh. ― He's got a great sense of humour.
- Nå, heid rennt der Schmäh. ― The jokes are going back and forth today.
- charms; wit; blarney; a relaxed, cheerful, humorous, yet grumpy and cynical attitude towards life (often considered untranslatable)
- Den Oidn muasst min Schmäh påckn, dånn geht des scho. ― You have to turn on your charm on the old man and it'll work out.
- Der Wiener Schmäh is sicher gwehnungsbediaftig. ― You certainly have to get used to the Viennese Schmäh.
- Mit a bissl an Schmäh kummst leichter durchs Lebn. ― A little bit of Schmäh makes life easier.
Hyponyms
Derived terms
German
Etymology
From Bavarian Schmäh.
Pronunciation
Noun
Schmäh m (strong, genitive Schmähs, no plural)
- shrewd talk, astute interaction, trick
2018, Roland Girtler, editor, Girtler unterwegs: Gespräche mit sieben Zeitgenossen, Wien: Böhlau, Der Beginn des Fiakerfahrens – als Frau unter interessanten Männern:Früher waren die Fiaker zu den Fiakerfahrerinnen sehr böse. Sie sagten, dass eine Frau nicht auf einen Kutschbock gehöre. Nach und nach lernten die Fahrer doch die Vorteile durch die Frauen zu schätzen, denn mit ihnen lief der Schmäh besser.- Them times there fiacre drivers have been venomous before female fiacre drivers. Them man said that a woman does not belong on a coach box. Anyways over the time drivers learnt the advantages with women, for with them interaction ran more smoothly.
- humour, joke
2021, “Franziska Singer & Amrei Baumgartl: Darf's ein bisserl Mord sein?”, in Falter:Bei aller Ernsthaftigkeit und Respekt dürfen natürlich Witz und Wiener Schmäh nicht fehlen – denn schließlich kann man nur mit Humor die schlimmsten Dinge im Leben bewältigen.- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
Declension
Further reading
- “Schmäh” in Duden online
- “Schmäh” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache