The Brutal History of the Word 'Schabernack'
The German word 'Schabernack' (prank) has a violent origin, tracing back to a punishment involving shaving off hair as a mark of shame. The Brothers Grimm documented this in their German dictionary, noting its evolution from a harsh penalty to a milder term for mischief. In their fairy tale 'Das Lumpengesindel', a rooster and hen play a nasty trick on an innkeeper, hiding needles in his towel and cushion, and throwing eggshells into the fire, causing him injury. The word's etymology may also relate to 'Arschbacken' (buttocks), as an anagram suggests. The author reflects on their own straw hat, which merely scratches their neck, making them content compared to the innkeeper's ordeal.
Key facts
- The word 'Schabernack' originally referred to a punishment of shaving off hair as a mark of shame.
- The Brothers Grimm documented 'Schabernack' in volume 14 of their German dictionary.
- The term appears as a field name for vineyards since the early 13th century.
- Medieval poet Neidhart used 'Schabernack' to mean a rough winter hat.
- In the Grimm fairy tale 'Das Lumpengesindel', a rooster and hen play a painful trick on an innkeeper.
- The trick involves hiding a pin in a towel, a needle in a cushion, and eggshells in the fire.
- The innkeeper swears never to host such 'Lumpengesindel' again.
- An anagram of 'Schabernack' reveals 'Arschbacken' (buttocks).
Entities
Artists
- Brothers Grimm
- Neidhart
Institutions
- NZZ