ärm Dier
Appearance
Central Franconian
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Literally, “poor animal”.
Noun
[edit]- (Ripuarian, idiomatic) depression, state of being down, unhappy; mostly construed with the verbs krijje (“get”) and hann (“have”)
- Der Schäng setz ze Huus; hä hät et ärm Dier, weil senge Kaktus enjejangen es.
- John’s sitting at home; he’s depressed because his cactus died.
- (literally, “...he’s having the poor animal...”)
- 1975, “Wenn de Sonn schön schingk”[1]performed by Bläck Fööss:
- Wenn plötzlich et Barometer fällt, dann well der Papp si Sonndaachsjeld.
Es hä dann klammheimlich durch de Dür, dann kritt de Mamm et ärme Dier.- When suddenly the barometer falls, Dad asks for his Sunday allowance.
When he’s cladestinely made it out the door, Mum will get depressed [lit. gets the poor animal].
- When suddenly the barometer falls, Dad asks for his Sunday allowance.
Usage notes
[edit]- When used with the definite article, the form et ärme Dier is now common, likely even predominant. However, this way of declension is influenced by Standard German.