Swiss German Wordplay: From 'Muul' to 'Schnurrpfeifereien'

Key facts

• The article is from NZZ am Sonntag and discusses Swiss German words for mouth and related terms.
• The German folk song lyric 'Mein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund' is cited as an example of High German poetry that doesn't translate well into Swiss German.
• Swiss German uses 'Muul' for mouth, which has a coarse connotation, as in 'Heb dis Muul!' (Shut your mouth!).
• Regional variants for mouth include 'Schnurre,' 'Schnorre,' and 'Schnörre,' used in phrases like 'e tummi Schnorre ha' and 'Wotsch eis a d Schnorre?'
• The columnist prefers 'Schnurre' over 'Schnorre,' linking it to cat purring and historical noisemakers used by beggars and night watchmen.
• The term 'Schnurrpfeifereien' is used derogatorily for trifles or shallow artistic performances, and was once applied by Die Zeit to Max Goldt's columns.
• Etymologically, 'Schnurrpfeiferei' may derive from Low German 'Schnürpfeife,' meaning the plastic tips on shoelaces (aglets).
• The author notes that language is an intricate reference system with no logic, and aglets deserve gratitude for their function.
• AI suggests that aglets can also be called 'Nadel,' 'Pinke,' or 'Stift' depending on material.
• The article is part of a series on Swiss German expressions, with teasers about blowing cheeks and milk skin.