30 Dezember 2012: Tomaten auf den Augen haben

30 Dec: Tomaten auf den Augen haben from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: Tomaten auf den Augen haben

Closest English Translation: to be blind (figuratively)

Literal Translation: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes

29 Dezember 2012: das Zünglein an der Waage

29 Dec: das Zünglein an der Waage from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: das Zünglein an der Waage

Closest English Translation: the tip of the scales

Literal Translation: the small tongue on the balance

12 Dezember 2012: sich kein bein ausreissen

12Dec: sich kein bein ausreissen from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: sich kein bein ausreissen

Closest English Translation: to not kill oneself (over something), to not give so much effort

Literal Translation: to not rip out one’s leg

8 Dezember 2012: die Würmer aus der Nase ziehen müssen

08 Dec: die Würmer aus der Nase ziehen müssen from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: die Würmer aus der Nase ziehen müssen

and

Alles aus der Nase ziehen müssen

Closest English Translation: to drag something out of someone.

Literal Translation: The worms must be pulled out of the nose

and

Everything must be pulled out of the nose

Origin: This saying comes from the 17th century. At that time, there was an idiosyncratic explanation for ostensible madness and depression – head worms! Quack doctors offered their healing cures to the patient, by removing these alleged head worms with a pair of pliers from the nose. From the saying evolved “to pull something from someone’s nose” as a symbol to elicit a secret from someone.

29 November 2012: Das ist Allerhand!

29 Nov: Das ist Allerhand! from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: Das ist Allerhand!

Closest English Translation: Yikes! OMG! No kidding!

Literal Translation: That is all hands!

Leo dict: The expression “allerhand!” or “das ist ja allerhand!” invariable means that the speaker is surprised, i.e. something happened that she didn’t expect. And this surprise may be about something pleasant or something bad.

Thanks to Eleana for playing along, even with jetlag!

25 November 2012: Ohrwurm

25 Nov: Ohrwurm from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: New York, NY

Word or Expression: der Ohrwurm

Closest English Translation: catchy song, tune, haunting melody

Literal Translation: ear worm

Used when you have a song in your head you just can’t get rid of.
Thanks to Elizabeth and the White Stripes. 🙂
My apologies for cutting the video off too early, you can barely see the worms.

24 November 2012: Überbretzel

24 Nov: Überbretzel from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: New York, NY

Word or Expression: die Überbretzel

Closest English Translation: To hit someone on the head with something

Literal Translation: Over pretzel

15 November 2012: Sich scheckig lachen

15 Nov: Sich scheckig lachen from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: New York, NY

Word or Expression: Sich scheckig lachen

Closest English Translation: To laugh oneself to pieces, To laugh oneself into stitches, To laugh oneself silly

Literal Translation: To laugh oneself motley

Thanks Elizabeth for being my laughing buddy!

13 November 2012: Am Hungertuch nagen

13 Nov: Am Hungertuch nagen from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: New York, NY

Word or Expression: am Hungertuch nagen

Closest English Translation: to be impoverished, to be starving

Literal Translation: to gnaw on a hunger towel

12 November 2012: Jemandem eine Standpauke halten

12 Nov: Jemandem eine Standpauke halten from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Peterborough, NH

Word or Expression: Jemandem eine Standpauke halten

Closest English Translation: To be tongue whipped

Literal Translation: To hold someone to a telling off

Thanks Dan Tice and Christina Choe for supporting me with being whipped by Korean Ramen.