alles hat ein ende nur die Wurst hat zwei

Hi All

In level 3, idioms are introduced.  Asked my German pen friend about it. She said that htis expression is not used very often, mostly after a few beers or at a party. Gut zu wissen. I like to ask her various grammar points and she is very obliging in giving me help and often extras, as in everyday expressions. This idiom amuses me none te less. I guess English has some really funny ones too. I tell her some of those. Example; Mad as a wet hen.

Well most or a lot of English ones don't make sense. And learning a general meaning is a good way of learning everyday speech.

Maxie

Hi, 

I've encountered this phrase in several settings, most of them following beers, all of them convivial and informal.  

There is also in Austria “Das ist mir Wurst”, which is the equivalent of “Das ist mir egal”, both of which convey indifference or even dismissiveness.  My understanding is that while “Das ist mir Wurst” may have some currency in southern Germany (Bavaria, in particular), that it's not often heard up north.  

The thing about “Das ist mir Wurst” is that it seems to convey its meaning and its attitude instantly even to beginning German learners, and the same holds for “Alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei”.  Thus, you're likely (in Austria at least) to be introduced to them early in your nightlife experiences talking with the locals. 

That, along with pronunciation torture teases like being challenged to pronounce “Eichhörnchen” out loud, which for some reason provides locals with no end of entertainment. 

Hi there 

Yes, Eichhoernchen has had its challenges for me and also erledigt. That one has been particularly challenging. Generally I find German pronunciation quite easy. Probably speaking Afrikaans even a a second language has helped. Some words are so similar. 

We are hoping to go to Germany with our 4 adult children and one of the boyfriends. Still trying to get a letter before we have dates. A bit challenging trying to organize it with so many people. A bit like herding cats.

Maxie 

Time flies, doesn't it?! 

Seems as though it wasn't too long ago that your travels to Germany were far off and dreamy. 

Now it seems as though they're upon you! 

Same here. We're looking at September/October for a trip to Austria, but September/October is really just around the corner.  Not quite as imminent as your trip, Maxie, but closing fast! 

Enjoy your travels. With all the practice you've been doing, I'd be very surprised if a whole lot of German didn't just show up on the tip of your tongue when you get there. 

gottahaveajava 

Hi there

I think I can manage basic speaking now. My family don't speak a word of German, so they will be none the wiser anyway. Makes me smile, as some of them are a bit daunted about visiting a country with a language they don't speak. My one daughter went to Spain, has a very basic knowlwdge and was fine, as so many people speak English. Sadly North Americans generally don't speak more than one. Europeans really are polyglots. 

I find that rocket is not the best for conversations and practical everyday speech. However it is very good for vocabulary and the speaking component. I subscribed to Coffee Break German, basically for all their courses. Level one is slow on grammar, but teaches good everyday conversations. No speaking component though, but I have Rocket for that. Their more advanced courses are amazing and they have just brought in Coffee Break TV.

A subscription, but includes Italian, Spanish French and German. I got a free subscription for 2 months, some glitch, as a new program. I now am going to sign up for a quaterly one. 

How is your program working?

Keep well

Sharon