Kappes

See also: kappes

Central Franconian

Alternative forms

• Kabbes (Moselle Franconian)

Etymology

From Middle High German kabez, kappuz, kappiz, from Old High German kabuz, from Medieval Latin caputia, from Latin caput (“head”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkapəs/

Noun

Kappes m (plural Kappesse)

1. (Ripuarian) cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

   Häste keine Kappes metjebrat?

   Didn't you bring any cabbage?

2. (Ripuarian, figuratively) nonsense

   Verzäll mer keine Kappes!

   Don't tell me such nonsense!

German

Alternative forms

• Kabis (southern German, Austrian)

Etymology

From western German dialects including Central Franconian Kappes (“cabbage”). The meaning “nonsense” might be a loan translation of Kohl (etymology 2), the origins of which are quite unclear, however.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkapəs/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Kappes m (strong, genitive Kappes, no plural)

1. (regional, colloquial) cabbage, Brassica oleracea

   Ich mach heut' Abend Kappes-Durcheinander.

   I'm making a cabbage stew for dinner.

2. (regional, colloquial) nonsense

   Erzähl mir keinen Kappes!

   Don't tell me such nonsense!

Usage notes

• In its original meaning "cabbage", the word is limited to western Germany and declining. In the figurative meaning, however, it is quite common and indeed spreading supraregionally.

Declension

Declension of Kappes [sg-only, masculine, strong]

	singular
	indef.	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Kappes
genitive	eines	des	Kappes
dative	einem	dem	Kappes
accusative	einen	den	Kappes

Synonyms

• (sense 1) Weißkohl, Weißkraut
• (sense 2) Unsinn, Quatsch

Further reading

• “Kappes” in Duden online