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über alles. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
über alles, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
über alles in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
über alles you have here. The definition of the word
über alles will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
über alles, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From the verse Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, über alles in der Welt (“Germany above all, above all in the world”), from the German national anthem Lied der Deutschen, composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797. The verse originally meant that the Germans and their rulers have to overcome existing divisions and keep in mind the goal of a unified Germany.
Interjection
über alles
- (used after a country name, usually ironic or humorous) Invokes a perception of the specified country as superior to others, or having a supreme status when compared to others.
1967, Hugh MacDiarmid, The Company I've Kept, page 132:Similarly, British Finance Capitalism forced back to its last line of defence will cry: "Britain über alles" though for the moment, Socialism having neglected Scottish Nationalism [..]
2008, Mike Hockney, Prohibition A, page 45:Pax Americana and all that bullshit? Grissom said. 'America über alles. You want to make the rest of the world our slaves.'
Usage notes
Usually italicized to emphasize embedded German words.
German
Pronunciation
Adverb
über alles
- above all