Jump to content

ärm Dier

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Central Franconian

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Literally, poor animal.

Noun

[edit]

ärm Dier n

  1. (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].

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.