Vääsch

Vääsch m (plural Vääsch or Vääsche or Vääschte, diminutive Vääschje)

Vääsch (plural)
Vääsche (plural)
Vääschte (plural)
Vääschje (diminutive)
Versch (alternative)
Vers (alternative)

From Middle High German vers, from Latin versus.


Loff

From Middle High German luft, chiefly through German Luft, from Old High German luft, from Proto-West Germanic *luftu.

Luff (alternative)
Luft (alternative)
Loft (alternative)
Luucht (alternative)
Luht (alternative)
Looch (alternative)
Luuch (alternative)
Luht (alternative)
Lueht (alternative)

(Ripuarian, some dialects) air (the apparently open space above the ground of the earth)


Möhn

Möhne (plural)
Mehn (alternative)
Mihn (alternative)
Mihm (alternative)

With dissimilation (as also in Middle Low German möne) from Old High German muoma, from Proto-West Germanic *mōmā.

Du bes en Jongfrau un en aale Möhn.
 Du bes uns Mamm un du blievs iwig schön.

2002, “Du bes die Stadt”performed by Bläck Fööss:

You [i.e. Cologne] are a virgin and an old woman.
 You are our mother and you stay beautiful for ever.

(Ripuarian) an older woman; not implying decrepitness, but having a mildly contemptuous tone


Düvel

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Düvel m (plural Düvele, diminutive Düvelche)


Bunnezupp

Bunnezupp f (plural Bunnezuppe, diminutive Bunnezüppche)

Bunnezuppe (plural)
Bunnezüppche (diminutive)


Zupp

Zupp f (plural Zuppe, diminutive Züppche)

From French soupe. Judging by Dutch soep, probably borrowed around 1700. Also related with German Suppe, which is partly from the French and partly from Low German.

Jede Naach dräump dä Jupp / von ener Woosch un ner Zupp / von nem Jullasch met ööntlich jet dren,
Suurbrode vom Pääd / un von Himmel un Ääd / denn hä kann baal kein Brütcher mieh sinn.

2006, “Am Bickendorfer Büdche”performed by Bläck Fööss:

Every night Joseph dreams about sausage and soup, about goulash with lots of stuff in it,
sour marinated horse roast and mashed potatoes with apple sauce, because he can hardly bear any more sandwiches.


Kääz

Kääz f (plural Kääze, diminutive Kääzje)

Kääze (plural)
Kääzje (diminutive)
Kerz (alternative)
Käärz (alternative)

Wenn et Leech usjing em Roxy,
 Hatte mer schnell e Kääzje stonn.
 All die Mädcher un die Jonge
 Soße, loge eng ömschlonge
 Hingen en der letzte Reih.

1996, “Wenn et Leech usjing em Roxy”performed by Bläck Fööss:

When the lights went out at the Roxy [cinema],
 We got a boner quickly. (Literally: We had a candle standing quickly.)
 All the girls and boys
 Were sitting, lying in tight embrace
 Back there in the last row.

(Ripuarian, slightly vulgar) boner, hard-on


Schnüss

Schnüss f (plural Schnüsse, diminutive Schnüssje)

Schnüsse (plural)
Schnüssje (diminutive)
Schnöss (alternative)
Schniss (alternative)
Schness (alternative)

From a variant of Proto-West Germanic *snūt. Immediately cognate with Luxembourgish Schnëss. Compare also German Schnauze and Schnute, Dutch snuit.

Ich weiß, dä Wääch, dä hinger uns litt, jing nit immer nur jradus.
 Manchmol flüch mer en der Himmel, manchmol litt mer op der Schnüss.

2012, “Immer noch do”performed by Kasalla:

I know the way that lies behind us, wasn't always straight ahead.
 Sometimes you fly into the sky, sometimes you lie on your face.


Hongerlegger

Hongerlegger (plural)
Hungerligger (alternative)
Hongerlijjer (alternative)

/ˈhoŋʌˌleɡʌ/

From Honger (“hunger”) + legge (“to suffer”) + -er. Compare German Hungerleider.

af

(Ripuarian, offensive) weakling, wimp, loser; somewhat like the contemporary German Opfer


Naach

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Naach f (plural Nääch or Näächte or Naachte)

Nääch (plural)
Näächte (plural)
Naachte (plural)
Naacht (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)
Noaht (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Noacht (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Naat (alternative)
Naht (alternative)
Naiht (alternative Belgium)

Daach un Naach


Düüvel

Düüvel m (plural Düüvele, diminutive Düüvelche)

Düüvele (plural)
Düüvelche (diminutive)
Düvel (alternative)
Deuwel (alternative)
Deuvel (alternative)
Deiwel (alternative)

From Middle High German diuvel, from Old High German *diuval, northern variant of tiufal, from Proto-West Germanic *diubul, from Latin diabolus, from Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos).

Wann de jetz net en di Zemmer jehs, dann es ävver der Düüvel loss!

If you don’t go to your room right now, all hell (lit. the devil) will break loose.


Köch

Köche (plural)
Kech (alternative)
Kich (alternative)


Naiht

Naihte (plural)
Naht (alternative)
Naach (alternative)
Naacht (alternative)
Noaht (alternative)
Noacht (alternative)


Ziet

Zijje (plural)
Ziede (plural)
Zick (alternative)
Zeck (alternative)
Zitt (alternative)
Zeit (alternative)

(westernmost and northernmost Ripuarian) time


Jold

Joold (alternative)
Jood (alternative)
Gold (alternative)


Brutt

Brie (plural)
Braut (alternative)
Bruut (alternative)
Bruck (alternative)
Brock (alternative)


Weiht

Weiht n (plural Weihter, diminutive Weihtche)

A Low Franconian relict from Old Dutch wiht. The properly Ripuarian cognate is Weech and only means “child” (also especially female, but never “girl, maiden” in general).

On wä emol am Jröne Jong, e lecker Weiht em Ärm,
 Et ovends en de Dämmerung stong, däm schlooch et Herz so wärm.

1956, “De Retematäng”performed by Jupp Schäfers:

And who's ever stood by the “Green Boy”, a pretty girl in his arm,
 In the evening time at dusk, he felt his heart beat so warmly.

(northernmost Ripuarian) girl (female child, adolescent, young woman)


Ääz

Ääze (plural)
Ääzje (diminutive)
Ääts (alternative)
Ääds (alternative)
Erts (alternative)
Erds (alternative)
Erwes (alternative)
Erres (alternative)
Äres (alternative)
Eëts (alternative)

From Old High German arawīz. The form with -z-, which is also found in bordering dialects of Low Franconian, may due to a compromise between shifted and unshifted forms.

(most dialects of Ripuarian) pea (kind of pulse)


Fillem

Fillem m (plural Filme, diminutive Fillemche)

Filme (plural)
Fillemche (diminutive)
Film (alternative alternative)

Et wor schön, et wor jot, am Eng e bessje ze koot.
 Dausendunein Naach, wo Donner un Bletz kraach.
 Ne Fillem ohne Schloss, un nix es, wie et moss – jradus.

It was nice, it was well, in the end a little too short.
 Thousand and one nights, where thunder and lightning strike.
 A film without ending, and nothing is as it should be – straight ahead.


Fetz

Fetz m (plural Fetze, diminutive Fetzje)

Probably the same word as German Fetzen (“rag, tatter”, also “slovenly person”).

cog

Ich kleine Fetz wor noch esu jong,
 Un hä wor fass ald hondert Johr alt
 Un wood op de Bühn jebraht.

2014, “Ich han dä Millowitsch jesinn”performed by Kuhl un de Gäng:

Me, a little boy, was still so young,
 And he was almost a hundred years old
 And was carried to the stage.

(Ripuarian) a young boy, especially a naughty one (but always in a mild tone)


Appeltaat

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Appeltaat f (plural Appeltaate, diminutive Appeltäätche)

Appeltaate (plural)
Appeltäätche (diminutive)

From Appel (“apple”) + Taat (“tart, cake”). Compare Dutch appeltaart.

Dröm, Mädche, pass jot op!
 Mir Kölsche sinn jot drop.
 Mir schmecken och met Baat
 Su wie en Appeltaat.

1995, “Kölsche Junge bütze joot”performed by Räuber:

So watch and see, girl!
 We Colognians are in good shape.
 Even with a beard we taste
 Just like an apple pie.

(Ripuarian, some dialects of Moselle Franconian) apple pie


Vadder

Vadder m (plural Vaddere or Vedder, diminutive Veddersje)

Vaddere (plural)
Vedder (plural)
Veddersje (diminutive)
Vatter (alternative)

From Middle High German vater, from Old High German fater, fader, from Proto-West Germanic *fader, from Proto-Germanic *fadēr, from Proto-Indo-European *ph₂tḗr.
Compare Limburgish vajer, Dutch vader, German Vater, English father.

Heë is perfek ziengen Vadder


Frösch

Frösch m (plural Frösch, diminutive Fröschelche)

Frösch (plural)
Fröschelche (diminutive)
Fräsch (alternative)
Frosch (alternative)

From Old High German frosk, from Proto-Germanic *fruskaz. The -ö- is due to regular secondary umlaut before -sch-; compare Bösch, Fläsch, etc.


Wedderfrösch

/ˈʋɛdʌˌfʀœʃ/

From Wedder (“weather”) + Frösch (“frog”).

De Mamm hät der Drieh jetz endlich rus:
 Hück bliev der Papa brav zo Hus.
 Ejal, wat der Wedderfrösch verzällt,
 Dat Barometer nit mieh fällt.

1975, “Wenn de Sonn schön schingk”performed by Bläck Fööss:

Mum has really figured it out now:
 Dad will be good today and stay at home.
 No matter what the weather frog says,
 The barometer won’t fall anymore.

(Ripuarian) a frog kept in a jar with a small ladder, used to predict the weather; see German Wetterfrosch for more


Jüdd

Jüdd m (plural Jüdde, diminutive Jüddche)

Jüdde (plural)
Jüddche (diminutive)
Judd (alternative)
Jidd (alternative)

From Middle High German jüde, from Latin iudaeus.


Faddem

Faddem m (plural Fäddem, diminutive Fäddemche)

Fäddem (plural)
Fäddemche (diminutive)
Faam (alternative)
Vaam (alternative)
Foadem (alternative)
Fodem (alternative)
Fadem (alternative)
Farem (alternative)

From Old High German fadum, from Proto-West Germanic *faþm, from Proto-Germanic *faþmaz.


Kommelejun

Kommelejune (plural)
Kommelejon (alternative)
Kommeliun (alternative)
Kommelion (alternative)
Kommejun (alternative)
Kommejon (alternative)
Kommiun (alternative)
Kommion (alternative)


Jåhr

From Middle High German jār, from Old High German jār, from Proto-West Germanic *jār. Cognate with German Jahr.

Nör öß ed hei
E Jåhr verbei,

Am Löndebaam. Nach einem um Saarlouis lebenden Volksliede. Mundart von Trier, p. 248; in: 1889, Hermann Welcker (ed.), Dialektgedichte. Sammlung von Dichtungen in allen deutschen Mundarten, nebst poetischen Proben aus dem Alt-, Mittel- & Neudeutschen, sowie den germanischen Schwestersprachen, 2nd ed., p. 247ff.

(please add an English translation of this quotation)


Fääsch

Fääschte (plural)
Fersch (alternative)
Fääscht (alternative)
Ferscht (alternative)

(Ripuarian) heel (back of the foot or shoe)


Levver

Levvere (plural)
Lewwer (alternative)
Läwer (alternative)
Leawer (alternative)

From Old High German levera, northern variant of lebara, from Proto-Germanic *librō.


Korv

Körv (plural)
Körvje (diminutive)
Körv (alternative)
Korf (alternative)

From Old High German corf, northern variant of corb, from Proto-West Germanic *korb.


Kruckedill

Kruckedill n (plural Kruckedille, diminutive Kruckedillche)

Kruckedille (plural)
Kruckedillche (diminutive)

Ultimately from Ancient Greek κροκόδειλος (krokódeilos).


Fauer

From Middle High German viur, viwer, viuwer, from Old High German fiur, fuïr, from Proto-West Germanic *fuir, from Proto-Germanic *fōr, from Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥.

Fouer (alternative)
Feier (alternative)
Füür (alternative)

(some dialects of Moselle Franconian) fire


Ollich

From Middle High German olei, olge, variants of öle, from Old High German oli, from Latin oleum.

Olich (alternative)
Ällich (alternative)
Ellich (alternative)
Oalich (alternative)
El (alternative)
Öl (alternative)

(central and eastern Ripuarian, parts of Moselle Franconian) oil


Öllich

Öllich (plural)
Illech (alternative)
Ullieg (alternative)

Inherited from Middle High German ulloch, ullouch, from Old High German ullouh, contraction of unilouh, from Proto-West Germanic *unnjalauk; equivalent to Önn + Looch, both of which originally meant “onion” in the dialects.
Compare for the former Dutch ui (“onion”), for the latter German Lauch (“leek”).


Abbauhammer

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Abbauhammer m (plural Abbauhammere, diminutive Abbauhämmerche)

Abbauhammere (plural)
Abbauhämmerche (diminutive)

Compound of Abbau (“mining”) + Hammer (“hammer”).

D'r Koal losmaache mit d'r Abbauhammer.

Loosening the coal with the pneumatic hammer.

(Mining) (most of Ripuarian) A pneumatic hammer


Abbauhämmerche

Abbauhämmerche n (plural Abbauhämmercher)

Abbauhämmercher (plural)
Abbauhemmersje (alternative Ripuarian)


Appelkuus

Appelkuus f (plural Appelkuuse, diminutive Appelküüsje or Appelküüsche)

Appelkuuse (plural)
Appelküüsje (diminutive)
Appelküüsche (diminutive)
Appelkoeës (alternative)

(dialectal) alternative form of Apriekuus


Appelküüsje

Appelküüsjer (plural)
Appelküüsche (alternative)
Appelkues-je (alternative)


Appelküüsche

Appelküüscher (plural)
Appelküüsje (alternative)
Appelkues-je (alternative)

(Moselle Franconian) diminutive of Appelkuus


Appelküüscher

Appelküüsjer (alternative)
Appelkues-jes (alternative)

(Moselle Franconian) plural of Appelküüsche


Appelküüsjer

Appelküüscher (alternative)
Appelkues-jes (alternative)

(most of Ripuarian) plural of Appelküüsje


Appelkoeës

Appelkoeës f (plural Appelkoeëze, diminutive Appelkues-je)

Appelkoeëze (plural)
Appelkues-je (diminutive)
Appelkuus (alternative)

(Kirchröadsj) alternative form of Abriekoeës


Appelkues-je

Appelkoeës-jes (plural)
Appelküüsche (alternative)
Appelküüsje (alternative)


Appelkues-jes

Appelküüscher (alternative)
Appelküüsjer (alternative)


Abriekoeës

Abriekoeës f (plural Abriekoeëze, diminutive Abriekues-je)

Abriekoeëze (plural)
Abriekues-je (diminutive)
Aprikuus (alternative)

Late 16th century. Borrowed from Late Middle French abricots, plural of abricot, from Arabic اَلْبَرْقُوق (al-barqūq), from Ancient Greek πραικόκιον (praikókion), from Latin praecoqua. At the time of the borrowing, the French plural-s was still pronounced (at least in pausal position), hence the form Abriekoeës.

der

اَلْبَرْقُوق


Absjied

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Absjied m (plural Absjiede, diminutive Absjiedsje)

Absjiede (plural)
Absjiedsje (diminutive)
Abschied (alternative)


Aablik

Aablik m (plural Aablikke, diminutive Aabliks-je)

Aablikke (plural)
Aabliks-je (diminutive)


Aabouw

Aabouw m (plural Aabui, diminutive Aabuisje)

From the verb aabouwe (“to expand”). Equivalent to aa (“on”) + bouw (“construction”). Compare German Anbau and Dutch aanbouw.


Aadenke

Aadenke n (plural Aadenker or Aadinker, diminutive Aadenkesje)

Aadenker (plural)
Aadinker (plural)
Aadenkesje (diminutive)
Andenke (alternative)

/ˈaːˌdɛŋ.kə/

From Middle High German andenken, anedenken, equivalent to aa- (“on”) + denke (“to think”). Compare German Andenken, Limburgish aandènke, Dutch aandenken.

(Kirchröadsj) memory; remembrance (especially of a deceased person)

(Kirchröadsj) memento; souvenir; keepsake (something of emotional value kept as a reminder)


Ablas

Ablas m (plural Ables, diminutive Ables-je)

Possibly from Middle Dutch aflaet. Compare Dutch aflaat.

(Kirchröadsj, Roman Catholicism) indulgence, reduction of expected punishment in purgatory


Stech

Stech m (plural Stech, diminutive Stechelche)

Stech (plural)
Stechelche (diminutive)
Steech (alternative)
Stöch (alternative)
Stoch (alternative)

From Middle High German stich, from Proto-Germanic *stikiz.


Finster

Finster f or n (plural Finstere, diminutive Finsterche)

Finstere (plural)
Finsterche (diminutive)
Fenster (alternative)
Feister (alternative)
Fester (alternative)
Fister (alternative)
Fiester (alternative)
vinster (alternative)

From Old High German fenster, from Latin finestra.

Mer setzen des Meddaachs jewöhnlich en der Köch,
 Weil et do am schönsten es.
 De Finster steiht op, op eimol flüch en Mösch
 Bei uns eren un setz sich op der Desch.

1931, “Die Mösch”performed by Willi Ostermann:

Around lunchtime we usually sit in the kitchen,
 Because it’s most pleasant there.
 The window is open, suddenly a sparrow
 Flies in to us and sits down on the table.

(most of Ripuarian, parts of Moselle Franconian) window


Wursch

Wursch f (plural Würsch, diminutive Würschje)

Würsch (plural)
Würschje (diminutive)
Wuersch (alternative)
Wuesch (alternative)
Woosch (alternative Kölsch)
Woeësj (alternative)
Wurscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Wuuscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Woscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German wurst, from Proto-West Germanic *wursti.


Vinster

Vinster f or n (plural Vinstere, diminutive Vinstersje)

Vinstere (plural)
Vinstersje (diminutive)
Fenster (alternative)
Feister (alternative)
Fester (alternative)
Fister (alternative)
Fiester (alternative)
Finster (alternative)

From Proto-West Germanic *fenestr, from Latin fenestra. Compare Limburgish vinster, German Fenster, Dutch venster.

Kan de Vinster aofe?

(Kirchröadsj Ripuarian, computing) window


Woeësj

Woeësj f (plural Woeësjte or Wuesj, diminutive Wuesj-je)

Woeësjte (plural)
Wuesj (plural)
Wuesj-je (diminutive)
Wuersch (alternative)
Wuesch (alternative)
Woosch (alternative Kölsch)
Wursch (alternative)
Wurscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Wuuscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Woscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German wurst, from Old High German wurst, from Proto-West Germanic *wursti. Compare Limburgish wósj, German Wurst, Dutch worst.


Doef

Doef f (plural Doeve, diminutive Duufje)

Doeve (plural)
Duufje (diminutive)
Duuv (alternative Ripuarian)
Dauf (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German dūve, from Old High German dūva, a northern variety of tūba, from Proto-West Germanic *dūbā, from Proto-Germanic *dūbǭ.
Compare Luxembourgish Dauf, Limburgish doef, German Taube, German Low German Duuv, Dutch duif, English dove, Danish due, Swedish duva.

(Kirchröadsj) A dove, pigeon, bird of the family Columbidae.

(Kirchröadsj, astronomy) The constellation Columba


Eëts

Eëts f (plural Eëtse, diminutive Eëts-je)

Eëtse (plural)
Eëts-je (diminutive)
Ääz (alternative)
Erts (alternative)
Erds (alternative)
Erwes (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Erres (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Äres (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German erweiz, from Old High German arawīz, from Proto-West Germanic *arwīt. The form with -ts- (and -z in standard Ripuarian spelling), which is also found in bordering dialects of Low Franconian, may due to a compromise between shifted and unshifted forms.


Zamsdieg

Zamsdieg m (plural Zamsdieje, diminutive Zamsdiegs-je)

Zamsdieje (plural)
Zamsdiegs-je (diminutive)
Samsdaach (alternative dialectal)

From Middle High German sameztac, samztac, from Old High German sambaztag (“Sabbath day”), from Gothic *𐍃𐌰𐌼𐌱𐌰𐍄𐍉 (*sambatō), an alteration (possibly dialectal) of earlier, Biblical 𐍃𐌰𐌱𐌱𐌰𐍄𐍉 (sabbatō). The altered Gothic form derives from Byzantine Greek *σάμβατον (*sámbaton, “Sabbath”). Compare French samedi, Old French sambedi, Romansch somda, Romanian sâmbătă, Hungarian szombat, Old Church Slavonic сѫбота (sǫbota).


Dütsch

[...] so dat der Dokter op Lating saht: „Tene os tuum“, wat op Dütsch heiß: „Halt ding Muhl!“

1909, Heinrich Koch, Kölsche Verzällcher. II. Bändchen, Verlag von Hoursch & Bechstedt in Köln, page 32:

… so that the Doctor says in Latin: „Tene os tuum“, what in English [literally: German] means: "Shut your mouth!" [in the original in Ripuarian]


Jaas

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Jaas f (plural Jääs or Jase, diminutive Jääsche or Jeës-je)

Jääs (plural)
Jase (plural)
Jääsche (diminutive)
Jeës-je (diminutive)
Jass (alternative)
Gass (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)
Gaß (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)

From Middle High German gazze, from Old High German gazza (compare German Gasse).

(western Ripuarian) lane, alley (small street)


Jaas

Jaas m (plural Jääs or Jaze, diminutive Jääsche or Jeës-je)

Jääs (plural)
Jaze (plural)
Jääsche (diminutive)
Jeës-je (diminutive)

(western Ripuarian) gas (matter in a physical state between liquid and plasma)

liquefied petroleum gas
liquefied petroleum gas

(western Ripuarian) liquefied petroleum gas


Jaas

Jaas n (plural Jääs or Jaze, diminutive Jääsche or Jeës-je)


Zoam

Zoam m (plural Zöam, diminutive Zöamsje)

Zöam (plural)
Zöamsje (diminutive)
Same (alternative)

From Middle High German sām, sāme, from Old High German sāmo, from Proto-West Germanic *sāmō, from Proto-Germanic *sēmô, from Proto-Indo-European *séh₁mn̥. Compare German Samen.

(Limburgan Ripuarian, uncommon) sperm, semen


Ullieg

Ullieg n (plural Ullieje, diminutive Ulliegs-je)

Ullieje (plural)
Ulliegs-je (diminutive)
Illech (alternative)
Öllich (alternative Ripuarian)

Contracted from *Unnlaoch, a pleonastic compound of Unn + Laoch, both of which originally meant “onion” in the dialects. Compare for the former Dutch ui (“onion”), for the latter German Lauch (“leek”).


Jääsch

Jersch (alternative rare variant)
Gääscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gerscht (alternative Moselle-Franconian)


Schiev

Schiev f (plural Schieve, diminutive Schievje)

Schieve (plural)
Schievje (diminutive)
Scheif (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Proto-Germanic *skībǭ. Cognate with German Scheibe, Dutch schijf, English shive.

Es en Schiev kapott,
 Es ene Möllemmer fott,
 Hät der Honk am Stätz en Dos:
 Kütt ene Schutzmann aanjerannt,
 Hät uns sechs dann usjeschand,
 Sät: Wat maht ihr sechs dann bloß!

1973, “En d’r Kayjass Nummer Null”performed by Bläck Fööss:

Is a pane broken,
 Is a dustbin gone,
 Is there a dog with a tin on its tail:
 Then a constable comes running,
 Scolds the six of us,
 Says: What in the world are you six doing!

(Ripuarian) disc, slice, pane (flat piece or surface)


Stätz

Stätz m (plural Stätze, diminutive Stätzje)

Stätze (plural)
Stätzje (diminutive)
Stääz (alternative)
Sterz (alternative)
Statz (alternative Ripuarian)

From Middle High German sterz, from Proto-Germanic *stertaz. Cognate with German Sterz, Dutch staart.

(some of Ripuarian, including Kölsch) tail (of an animal)


Wittfrau

Wittfrau f (plural Wittfraue, masculine Wittmann)

Wittfraue (plural)
Wittmann (masculine)
Witfrau (alternative alternative)
Wettfrau (alternative)
Wittfraa (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Wettfraa (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Wittfroo (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Wettfroo (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German widewe (“widow”) + vrouwe (“woman”). Explanatory compound due to regular contraction of the first component. Compare Luxembourgish Wittfra, archaic German Witfrau.

(Ripuarian, few dialects of Moselle Franconian) widow


Nääl

Nääl (plural)
Näl (alternative)
Nähl (alternative)
Nagel (alternative)
Naal (alternative)
Nool (alternative)

As a singular, a backformation from the plural of older (now western) Naal, from Middle High German nagel, from Old High German nagal. Cognate with Luxembourgish Nol, German Nagel, Dutch nagel, English nail.


Nääl

Näl (alternative)
Nähl (alternative)
Nagel (alternative)
Naal (alternative)
Nool (alternative)


Nool

Noole (plural)
Nol (alternative)
Noold (alternative)
Nodel (alternative)

From Middle High German nālde, from Old High German nālda, by metathesis from nādala. Compare Luxembourgish Nol, Dutch naald. Also cognate with German Nadel, English needle.


Nool

Nääl (plural)
Nol (alternative)
Nohl (alternative)
Nääl (alternative Ripuarian)
Naal (alternative Ripuarian)
Nagel (alternative Ripuarian)

From Middle High German nagel, from Old High German nagal. Cognate with Luxembourgish Nol, German Nagel, Dutch nagel, English nail.


Jodesdaach

From Ripuarian Middle High German *guodensdach (attested 15th century as goidisdach), from earlier *wuodensdach, from northwestern Old High German *wuodansdag, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *Wōdanas dag, which is otherwise not found in High German.

(parts of western Ripuarian, archaic) Wednesday


Has

Has m (plural Hase, diminutive Häsje or Häsche)

Hase (plural)
Häsje (diminutive)
Häsche (diminutive)
Hoas (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)

From Middle High German hase, from Old High German haso.

(Ripuarian, eastern Moselle Franconian) hare


Has

Hase (plural)
Hahs (alternative alternative)

From Middle High German hahsen, from Old High German hāhsina, from Proto-West Germanic *hą̄hasinu.
Cognate with German Hachse, Haxe (“knuckle, joint”), Dutch haas (“tenderloin”). Like the latter it appears to have been associated with etymology 1, thereby becoming masculine and forming the plural with /z/ rather than /s/.

(Ripuarian) a piece of pork or beef from the loin; tenderloin


Kneng

Kneng n or m (plural Kneng, diminutive Knengche)

Kneng (plural)
Knengche (diminutive)
Kning (alternative Kölsch)
Kaneng (alternative rare variant)
Kaning (alternative rare variant)
Kanein (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle Dutch conijn, from Old French conin, from Latin cuniculus.

Wie mir zwei jonk wore, ha’ mer et jedrevve wie de Kneng.

When the two of us were young, we used to do it like rabbits.


Stuvv

Stuvv f (plural Stuvve, diminutive Stüvvje)

Stuvve (plural)
Stüvvje (diminutive)
Stuff (alternative)

From Middle High German stuve, northern variant of stube, from Proto-West Germanic *stubu.


Jadeng

Jadenge (plural)
Jading (alternative Kölsch)
Gadein (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gardein (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Kadein (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Kardein (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Attested 15th century as gardyn, from Middle Dutch gordine, from Old French cortine. Cognate with German Gardine (standard 17th c.), Dutch gordijn, French courtine, which last might have influenced the Moselle Franconian forms in K-. Compare dated Luxembourgish Karténg.

Hä steht der janzen Daach henger der Jadeng on luurt, wat de Nohbere maache.

He’s standing behind the curtain all day, watching what the neighbours are doing.

(Ripuarian) curtain, especially a window curtain


Klompe

Klompe m (plural Klompe, diminutive Klömpche or Klempche)

Klompe (plural)
Klömpche (diminutive)
Klempche (diminutive)
Klomp (alternative Ripuarian Western especially)

(most dialects) ball, lump, clot (solidified piece of a soft material)

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) clog, shoe of wood or with a wooden sole

(chiefly Ripuarian, diminutive) lump of sugar, piece of hard candy


Schäfche

(Moselle Franconian) diminutive of Schof: little sheep

(chiefly Moselle Franconian) diminutive of Schaf: little cupboard


Ieser

Ieser (plural)
Iesere (plural)
Iese (alternative)
Eise (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German īser, from Proto-Germanic *īsarną.

Dat es en iesere Stang, die es us Ieser jemaht.


Lööv

Lööve (plural)
Läuv (alternative Kölsch)

From Middle High German löuve, from Old High German *louva, northern form of louba, from Proto-West Germanic *laubijā. Cognate with German Laube.

(central and eastern Ripuarian) loft, attic

Söller

western Eifel; dated or local also in other Ripuarian

Spicher

central and eastern Ripuarian; originally less common


Sorch

Sorch f (plural Sorje, diminutive Sörjelche)

Sorje (plural)
Sörjelche (diminutive)
Sörch (alternative Ripuarian Southwestern Western)
Sorg (alternative)
Sörg (alternative)
zörg (alternative)

From Middle High German sorge, from Proto-Germanic *surgō.

Sorje un Nut, die suffe mer hück dut.
 Jläuv mer, mir zwei, hück Naach da si’ mer frei!

Worries and distress, we’ll drink them dead tonight.
 Believe me, tonight the two of us will be free!

(Moselle Franconian, central and eastern Ripuarian, often plural) worry, care, sorrow, distress


Beschot

From Middle High German muscāt. Compare Limburgish besjaot and similar forms in Dutch and Low German dialects.

Muskat (alternative)
Muskot (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Muschkot (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

(Ripuarian, in some places archaic) nutmeg


Schmeck

Schmeck f (plural Schmecke, diminutive Schmeckche or Schmeckelche)

Schmecke (plural)
Schmeckche (diminutive)
Schmeckelche (diminutive)
Schmock (alternative)
Schmöck (alternative)

From northwestern Middle High German smicke. Cognate with Limburgish smik. Compare English smack (“to hit”).

(Ripuarian, parts of Moselle Franconian) whip


Jüddefleesch

From Jüdd (“Jew”) + Fleesch (“meat”). The sense “mushroom” in all likelihood derives from the notion of “inferior meat” (and not from a comparison to Jewish human flesh as some have assumed).

(Ripuarian, historical) kosher meat bought from Jewish butchers (as it was sometimes cheaper)

(Ripuarian, dated) stringy or otherwise inferior pieces of meat

(western Ripuarian, collective) mushrooms


Jehirns

From Middle High German gehirne. Compare German Gehirn.

Jehierns (alternative)
Jehiëns (alternative)
Jeheens (alternative Kölsch)
Jehir (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Gehirn (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gehir (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Dä es su doov, mer meent, e hät si Jehirns em Lotto jewonne!

He’s so dumb, you would think he won his brain in the lottery!

(most of central and eastern Ripuarian) brain (organ)


Määl

Määl f (plural Määle, diminutive Määlche)

Määle (plural)
Määlche (diminutive)
Merl (alternative)
Märel (alternative Moselle-Franconian West)
Merdel (alternative)
Määdel (alternative)

From Middle High German merle, from Old High German merla, from Latin merula. Cognate with Luxembourgish Märel, regional German Merle, Dutch merel.


Mähl

From Middle High German mel, from Old High German melo, from Proto-Germanic *melwą.

Meal (alternative Moselle-Franconian variant)
Mell (alternative)


Döppe

Döppe n (plural Döppe, diminutive Döppche)

Döppe (plural)
Döppche (diminutive)
Deppe (alternative)

From northern Middle High German düppen. Related with German Topf. See Luxembourgish Dëppen for more.


Kreiz

Kreiz n (plural Kreizer, diminutive Kreizche)

Kreizer (plural)
Kreizche (diminutive)
Krütz (alternative Ripuarian)
Kröx (alternative Ripuarian)

From Middle High German kriuze, from Old High German krūzi, from Latin crux.


Schottel

Schottel f (plural Schottele, diminutive Schöttelche)

Schottele (plural)
Schöttelche (diminutive)
Schossel (alternative)
Schessel (alternative)

Ultimately from Latin scutella. Probably an unshifted relict form like Aap, söke. Cognate with German Schüssel, Dutch schotel.

De Mamm hät de Ääpele en en Schottel jedon on op der Desch jestallt.

The mother filled the potatoes into a bowl and put them on the table.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) a bowl, chiefly a shallow one


Komp

Komp m or f (plural Kömp or Kemp or Kompe, diminutive Kömpche or Kempche)

Kömp (plural)
Kemp (plural)
Kompe (plural)
Kömpche (diminutive)
Kempche (diminutive)

From Middle High German kump, northern variant of kumph, from Old High German *kumpf, *kump, *kumb, from Proto-Germanic *kumbaz.
Cognate with regional German Kump, Kumpf, Limburgish kómp. Also related with Dutch kom, English coomb (“dry measure”).

De Mamm hät de Zupp en ene Komp jeschott on op der Desch jestallt.

The mother poured the soup into a bowl and put it on the table.

(Ripuarian, parts of Moselle Franconian) a deep bowl


Aaz

Ääzte (plural)
Aarzt (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Borrowed from German Arzt. The Rheinisches Wörterbuch (entry ca. 1925) still considers it alien to the true dialect, but it has since established itself.


Fürner

Fürner (plural)
Fürer (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Fürder (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Vüer (alternative Western)
Fürn (alternative)
Füer (alternative)
Feier (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)

From Vulgar Latin *fūriōn-, whence also Old French fuiron (“ferret, weasel”). Ultimately from Latin fūr (“thief”). Cognate with Limburgish fuur, vuurs (“polecat”). The forms Fürner, Für(d)er are extended with the suffix -er.


Rühr

Rühr n (plural Rühre, diminutive Rührche)

Rühre (plural)
Rührche (diminutive)
Riehr (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern)
Ruhr (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern)
Rehr (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)
Rohr (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German rōr. The umlaut through conflation with related Middle High German rœre. Cognate with German Rohr and Röhre, Dutch roer.


Franzus

Franzus m (plural Franzuse, diminutive Franzüsje or Franziesche, female Franzüsin or Franziesin)

Franzuse (plural)
Franzüsje (diminutive)
Franziesche (diminutive)
Franzüsin (feminine)
Franziesin (feminine)
Franzos (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German franzōse, from Old French françois.

Ich wor ’ne stolze Römer, kom met Cäsars Legion.
 Un ich ben ene Franzus, kom mem Napoleon.

2000, “Unsere Stammbaum”performed by Bläck Fööss:

I was a proud Roman, I came with Caesar’s legion.
 And I am a Frenchman, I came with Napoleon.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) Frenchman (person from France)

franziesch

older forms, now mostly franzüsisch, franziesisch


Trooch

Trooch m (plural Trööch or Trääch or Trää or Treech or Tree, diminutive Tröjelche or Träjelche or Trejelche)

Trööch (plural)
Trääch (plural)
Trää (plural)
Treech (plural)
Tree (plural)
Tröjelche (diminutive)
Träjelche (diminutive)
Trejelche (diminutive)
Troch (alternative)

From Old High German trog, from Proto-Germanic *trugaz.


Fuus

Füüs (plural)
Füüsje (diminutive)
Faust (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Foust (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German vūst, from Proto-West Germanic *fūsti.


Kröx

Kröx n (plural Kröxer, diminutive Kröxje)

Kröxer (plural)
Kröxje (diminutive)
Kröcks (alternative)
Krütz (alternative)
Kreiz (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German kriuze, from Old High German krūzi, from Latin crux. The -x has nothing in particular to do with the Latin form, but is due to Ripuarian velarisation. Kröx or *Krüx would be expected also in central Ripuarian (cf. Colognian Düx), but has somehow failed to establish itself in these dialects.


Oos

Oos n (plural Ööster or Ääser or Ooser, diminutive Öösje or Ääsche)

Ööster (plural)
Ääser (plural)
Ooser (plural)
Öösje (diminutive)
Ääsche (diminutive)
Oost (alternative)
Ooz (alternative)

From Middle High German ās, from Proto-Germanic *ēsą.

carrion (perished animal, especially as food for scavengers)

(figurative) a pejorative word for a person or animal, but also used with affection or recognition, especially for someone cheeky or shrewd

(dated) dregs, especially draff or coffee grounds


Hooch

Hööch (plural)
Hääch (plural)
Hok (alternative)
Hoke (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From an Old High German *hāhho (perhaps attested as hācho, but ch is here more probably a spelling for k), from Proto-Germanic *hēkô, which also underlies in Limburgish haok. The Germanic word, which is possibly of substrate origin, has at least three stem variants: *hak-, *hēk-, *hēgg-. From the last is German Haken and the forms with k above.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian, archaic in some dialects) hook


Jeeß

Jeeß f (plural Jeeße, diminutive Jeeßje)

Jeeße (plural)
Jeeßje (diminutive)
Jeiß (alternative Kölsch)
Geeß (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Geiß (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gääß (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gaaß (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German geiz, from Old High German geiz, from Proto-West Germanic *gait, from Proto-Germanic *gaits.

„Man hat ein besseres Gefühl, wenn man weiß, wie lange man warten muss“, stellte Bornheims Bürgermeister Christoph Becker an der Haltestelle „Om Jeeßeberch“ der Stadtbahnlinie 18 bei einem Ortstermin am Mittwoch fest.

2021 May 27, Susanne Träupmann, “Haltestelle der Linie 18 in Bornheim modernisiert”, in General-Anzeiger, Standard German text citing a Ripuarian street name:

“You have a better feeling if you know how long you need to wait”, Bornheim’s mayor Christoph Becker declared during last Wednesday’s inspection at the station “On the goat hill” of light-rail line 18.


Jees

Jeester (plural)
Jeis (alternative Kölsch)
Geest (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Geist (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gääst (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gaast (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German geist, from Proto-Germanic *gaistaz.


Pakett

Pakett n (plural Paketter or Pakette, diminutive Pakettche)

Paketter (plural)
Pakette (plural)
Pakettche (diminutive)

From Middle French paquet. Compare German Paket, English packet.

Der Breefdräjer hät mer die schwähr Paketter bes janz bovven eropjedrage, do hann ich em fönnef Euro für jejovve.

The postman carried the heavy parcels all the way upstairs for me, so I gave him five euro for that.


Schöfer

Schöfer (plural)
Schäfer (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Schiefer (alternative)
Schiffer (alternative)

From Middle High German schæfære. Equivalent to Schof (“sheep”) + -er. In a majority of dialects the expected form is that with /i(ː)/, but the inherited umlaut was replaced with analogical umlaut after the primary noun. See the same variation in Westphalian Schaiper vs. Schäöper. Compare also Limburgish sjieper, Luxembourgish Schéifer.


ärm Dier

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.

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].

(Ripuarian, idiomatic) depression, state of being down, unhappy; mostly construed with the verbs krijje (“get”) and hann (“have”)


Backes

Backesse (plural)
Bakes (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)

From contraction of Middle High German bachūs (“baking house”).

inh

Wo e Bräues steht, do bruch kee Backes stohn.

You can meet your calorie requirement by drinking beer just as well as by eating bread.

Where there stands a brewery, there needn’t stand a bakehouse.

(chiefly historical) bakehouse, a bakery for self-consumption, operated either privately or corporately


Backes

Derived from Back (“cheek”), possibly as a pun on etymology 1 above. Cognate with Dutch bakkes, bakhuis (“face”), which compare. The Dutch is not associated with fatness. This sense in Central Franconian was likely reinforced through influence by Baches (“fat and graceless man, glutton”), itself from Latin Bacchus (“god of wine”). Note that Luxembourgish has Bakes (“bakery”) versus Backes (“fat person”), but Bak (not *Back) for “cheek”.

(chiefly western dialects) a chubby-faced person, especially a well-fed child


Kävvel

With change of suffix from Middle High German kever. Cognate with German Käfer, English chafer.

(original sense) cockchafer (kind of beetle)

(by extension, after Standard German) any beetle


Fluh

Flüh (plural)
Flieh (plural)
Floh (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German vlō(ch), from Proto-Germanic *flauhaz.

Wä kann de jrütste Kält verdrage? – De Fluh. Die sprengk noch em Wenter em Hemb eröm!

Who can bear the greatest cold? – A flea. It jumps around in a shirt even during the winter!

(Ripuarian, most of Moselle Franconian) flea (parasitic insect)


Eeder

tlb

(much of Ripuarian, especially central and eastern dialects)

Eedere (plural)
Eder (alternative)
Üer (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Nüer (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Edder (alternative)
Ödder (alternative)
Odder (alternative)
Udder (alternative)
Üdder (alternative)
Egder (alternative)
Ögder (alternative)
Ogder (alternative)
Ugder (alternative)
Ügder (alternative)
Ögger (alternative)
Ogger (alternative)
Ugger (alternative)
Auder (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Ouder (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Eider (alternative)
Uurer (alternative)
Ourer (alternative)

From a northern Old High German *iodar, from Proto-Germanic *eudarą, a byform of *ūdarą. Compare Middle Low German jeder, Old Frisian jāder. The variants above are all from the ū-form. The eu-form finds its continuation towards the north (Kleverländisch, Bergisch, Sauerländisch), but Ripuarian seems to be the only High German dialect in which it is found.


Fazung

Bläck Fööss
de:Rheinisches Wörterbuch
de:Willi Ostermann

From Middle High German *fazūn, from Middle Dutch fatsoen, from Old French façon, from Latin factio.
Final -ong, -ung is due to the native Ripuarian development of -ūn (cf. brong, Zong). Moselle Franconian Fassaun, Fassoun must also be old because it underwent diphthongization; it is either directly from Old French or was influenced by the form Fassong. This last is a somewhat younger borrowing corresponding to Standard German Fasson (late 15th c.).

Fazong (alternative)
Fazuun (alternative)
Fassaun (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Fassoun (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Fassong (alternative)

shape, form, e.g. of a body, of clothing

decency, seemliness, propriety, conventional and “reasonable” behaviour


Worbel

(most of Ripuarian, parts of Moselle Franconian)

Worbele (plural)
Wolber (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Wolwer (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German *waltber (literally “forest berry”). Compare German Waldbeere.