Haus

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Haus n (plural Haiser, diminutive Haische)

Haiser (plural)
Haische (diminutive)
Hous (alternative alternative)
Huus (alternative Ripuarian)

Hunsrik: Haus

Luxembourgish: Haus

From Middle High German hūs, from Old High German hūs, from Proto-West Germanic *hūs, from Proto-Germanic *hūsą, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH-.


Uhr

Uhre (plural)
Ührche (diminutive)
Ohr (alternative)

Wann de schlääch hürs, wäsch der de Föß, datt der Dreck us de Uhre nohrötsch.

Wash your feet if you can’t hear well, so that the dirt from your ears can slide down.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) ear


Uhr

Uhre (plural)
Ührche (diminutive)
Ouher (alternative)


Buch

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Buch m (plural Büch, diminutive Büchelche)

Büch (plural)
Büchelche (diminutive)
Bauch (alternative)
Bouch (alternative)

From Middle High German būch, from Old High German būh.

Wa’ mer nühs em Buch hät, ka’ mer net ärbeede, on wa’ mer jrad jäße hät, moss mer sich iersch ens henläje.

When you’ve nothing in your stomach, you can’t work, and when you’ve just eaten, you must first lie down a bit.


Buch

Buch n (plural Biecher, diminutive Biechelche)

Biecher (plural)
Biechelche (diminutive)
Booch (alternative)

From Middle High German buoch, from Old High German buoh.


Schaf

Schaf m or n (plural Schäf or Schafer, diminutive Schäfje or Schäfche)

Schäf (plural)
Schafer (plural)
Schäfje (diminutive)
Schäfche (diminutive)
Schaaf (alternative)

From Middle High German schaf, from Proto-Germanic *skapą.

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) cupboard


Kuh

Hunsrik: Kuh

Luxembourgish: Kou

From Middle High German kuo, from Old High German kuo, from Proto-West Germanic *kō, from Proto-Germanic *kōz, from Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws.

etymon

(southern Moselle Franconian) cow (female bovine animal)


Zahn

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Zahn m (plural Zäng, diminutive Zähnche)

Zäng (plural)
Zähnche (diminutive)
Zand (alternative)
Zank (alternative)

From German Zahn, from Middle High German zan, zant, from Old High German zan, zand, from Proto-West Germanic *tanþ.
The velarised form Zank, which is native in most of Ripuarian, has widely been replaced in eastern dialects; some of them have adopted the southern form Zand, others the standard German form Zahn. As can be seen below, the native plural Zäng remains intact. Compare Hand for more.


Wasser

Wasser n (plural Wasser, diminutive Wässerche)

Wasser (plural)
Wässerche (diminutive)
Waßer (alternative)

Hunsrik: Wasser

Luxembourgish: Waasser

desc

Transylvanian Saxon: Wåsser, Wosser (Sibiu), Wauesser (Brașov)

From Middle High German wazzer, from Old High German wazzar. The use of -a- instead of the expected -ā- is influenced by standard German.

O leeve Jott, jevv uns Wasser,
 Denn janz Kölle hät Doosch!
 O leeve Jott, jevv uns Wasser
 Un helf uns en der Nut!

1990, “Dat Wasser vun Kölle”performed by Bläck Fööss:

O dear God, give us water,
 For all of Cologne is thirsty!
 O dear God, give us water
 And help us in our misery!


Eis

From Middle High German and Old High German īs, from Proto-West Germanic *īs, from Proto-Germanic *īsą, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eyH-.


Frau

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Frau f (plural Fraulöck, Fraulück, Fraulüü or Fraue, diminutive Fräuche)

Fraulöck (plural)
Fraulück (plural)
Fräuche (diminutive)
Fraa (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Froo (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

En der Weetschaff op der Eck stonn die Männer an der Thek.
 Die Fraulückcher setze beim Schwätzje zesamme – es dat vorbei?

1973, “En unserm Veedel”performed by Bläck Fööss:

In the pub on the corner the men are standing at the bar.
 The women (pl. dim.) are sitting together chatting – is all of that over?


Schwein

Schwein n (plural Schwein or Schweine, diminutive Schweinche)

Schwein (plural)
Schweine (plural)
Schweinche (diminutive)

From Middle High German and Old High German swīn, from Proto-West Germanic *swīn. Native only in western Moselle Franconian, otherwise borrowed from standard German.

(western Moselle Franconian) pig; swine (animal)


Sau

Sau f (plural Säu or Sei, diminutive Säuche or Seiche)

Säu (plural)
Sei (plural)
Säuche (diminutive)
Seiche (diminutive)
Sou (alternative)

From Middle High German sū, from Old High German sū, from Proto-West Germanic *sū.

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) sow; female pig

(eastern Moselle Franconian) pig (male or female)


Fuß

Inherited from Old High German fuoȥ, from Proto-West Germanic *fōt, from Proto-Germanic *fōts, from Proto-Indo-European *pṓds.

Foß (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern Ripuarian)

(southern Moselle Franconian) foot (the lower part of the leg)


Blatt

Blatt n (plural Bläder or Blader, diminutive Blättche)

Bläder (plural)
Blader (plural)
Blättche (diminutive)
Blat (alternative)

Hunsrik: Blaat

Luxembourgish: Blat

From Old High German blad, northern variant of blat.


Sprooch

From Middle High German sprāche, from Old High German sprāhha, from Proto-West Germanic *sprākkijā.

We’ mer se sprääche, dann läv se noch lang,
 Dann jeiht se och niemols kapott.
 Uns Spro(o)ch es e Jeschenk vum leeve Jott.

2013, “Kölsche Jung”performed by Brings, song without written lyrics:

If we speak it, it will live on for long,
 And it will never be broken.
 Our language is a gift of God.


Ness

Ness n (plural Nester, diminutive Nessje)

Nester (plural)
Nessje (diminutive)
Nöss (alternative)
Nöst (alternative)
Nost (alternative)
Nest (alternative)

From Middle High German nist, byform of nest, from Proto-Germanic *nestą, *nistą. Virtually all Central Franconian dialects (as well as some bordering ones in Rhine and Low Franconian) show the underlying vowel i (hence /nes/, not /nɛs/).


Ab

From Middle High German abbāt, ultimately from Latin abbās, from Ancient Greek ἀββᾶς (abbâs), from Aramaic אבא, from Proto-Semitic *ʾab-.

(westernmost Ripuarian) An abbot, monastic superior of an abbey


Appel

Appel m (plural Äppel, diminutive Äppelche)

Hunsrik: Eppel

Luxembourgish: Apel

From Middle High German apfel, from Old High German apful, from Proto-West Germanic *applu, from Proto-Germanic *aplaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ébōl.
Compare German Apfel.


Ball

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Ball m (plural Balle or Bäll, diminutive Bällche)

Balle (plural)
Bäll (plural)
Bällche (diminutive)
Bal (alternative)

From Middle High German and Old High German bal, from Proto-Germanic *balluz.

(most dialects) ball (round or roundish object, most commonly used in games)


Ball

(most dialects, dance) ball (social gathering for dancing), prom (US)


Bier

From Middle High German bier, from Old High German bior, from Proto-West Germanic *beuʀ, from Proto-Germanic *beuzą.


Bier

From Middle High German bēr, from Old High German bēr, from Proto-West Germanic *bair.

Buur, Bär un Bier sinn drei kodde Dier.

Farmer, bear and boar are three evil animals. (Old Colognian proverb expressing city-dwellers’ snobbery)

(most dialects) a male uncastrated pig; a boar


Bild

Bild n (plural Bilder or Biller, diminutive Bildche)

Bilder (plural)
Biller (plural)
Bildche (diminutive)
Beld (alternative uncommon)

From Old High German bilidi, from Proto-West Germanic *biliþī. The vocalism -i- is regular due to the originally open syllable. The variant Beld may be from an early contraction or due to analogy with words with original -ld, such as weld (“wild”).

(most dialects) image; picture; painting; photo


Boom

Boom m (plural Bööm or Beem or Bääm, diminutive Böömche or Beemche or Bäämche)

Bööm (plural)
Beem (plural)
Bääm (plural)
Böömche (diminutive)
Beemche (diminutive)
Bäämche (diminutive)
Baum (alternative)
Boum (alternative)
Baam (alternative)

Hunsrik: Baam

Luxembourgish: Bam

Transylvanian Saxon: bum

From Middle High German boum, from Old High German boum, from Proto-West Germanic *baum, possibly from Proto-Germanic *bagmaz.

etymon

Met sengem neue Kleedche mot it och op dä Boom klemme!

But she simply had to climb on that tree in her new dress!


Fuss

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Fuss m (plural Fusse or Füss or Fiss, diminutive Füssje or Fissche)

Fusse (plural)
Füss (plural)
Fiss (plural)
Füssje (diminutive)
Fissche (diminutive)
Fuhs (alternative rare variant)
Fuchs (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern also)
Fochs (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern also)

(Ripuarian, dated in northern Moselle Franconian) fox

(same dialects) red-haired person, redhead


Hand

Hand f (plural Hänn or Häng, diminutive Händche)

Hänn (plural)
Häng (plural)
Händche (diminutive)
Hank (alternative)

From Middle High German and Old High German *hand, northern variant of hant. The regular form in Moselle Franconian and some southern dialects of Ripuarian is Hand with a plural Hänn (< *hende) through the development: intervocalic -nd- → -nn-. The regular form in most of Ripuarian is Hank with a plural Häng (< *henge) through velarization and subsequently a corresponding development: intervocalic -ŋg- → -ŋŋ-.
These regular systems are preserved in Moselle Franconian and western Ripuarian. In many eastern and central Ripuarian dialects, the native velarization has to a large degree been reverted under the influence of standard German and surrounding varieties. This reversion, which has emanated from Cologne, is irregular, affecting -nk more than it does -ng-, and hence it has led to occasional variation between velarized and de-velarized forms within the inflectional paradigm of one word (compare Wand, Zand, schänge).


Himmel

Wenn am Himmel de Stääne danze
 Un dä Dom sing Jlocke spillt,
Jo, dann weiß ich, datt ich derheim ben,
 Jo, derheim ben hee am Rhing.

2011, “Stääne”, performed by Klüngelköpp:

When the stars are dancing in the sky
 And the Cologne Cathedral plays its bells,
 Yeah, then I know that I am home,
 Yeah, I am home here on the Rhine.

Verdammp lang her, datt ich bei dir am Jrav wor.
 Verdammp lang her, datt mir jesprochen hann,
 Un datt vum eine och jet beim andre aankom –
 Su lang, datt ich mich kaum erinnere kann.
 Häs fess jejläuv, datt wä em Himmel op dich waat.
 „Ich jünne ’t dir“, hann ich jesat.

1981, “Verdamp lang her”performed by BAP:

Damn long ago that I came to your grave.
 Damn long ago that we talked,
 And that something really came across from one to the other –
 So long that I can hardly remember.
 You firmly believed someone would be waiting for you in heaven.
 “I hope there will be”, I said.


Januar

Et wor der eezte Januar, un [...]

1974, Wilhelm Schneider-Clauss (posthumous), Willi Reisdorf (foreword), Et Kölsche Hätz: Novellen von Wilhelm Schneider-Clauss. Band III der Gesamtausgabe der Werke in kölnischer Mundart, p. 67


Kies

From Middle High German kæse, from Old High German kāsi.

Kis (alternative)
Käs (alternative)
Kes (alternative)

e Röggelche met Kies

a rye roll with cheese (common snack in pubs)

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) cheese


Mond

Mond (plural)
Monde (plural)
Muund (alternative rare variant)

From a conflation of Old High German māno (from Proto-Germanic *mēnô) and mānōd (from Proto-Germanic *mēnōþs), both from Proto-Indo-European *mḗh₁n̥s.

Wa’ mer naachs em Bösch es, süht mer, wie hell der Mond schengk.

When you’re in the forest at night, you see how bright the moon shines.

Ich hann ald drei Mond nur der halve Luhn jekräje.

I’ve been paid just half my salary for three months now.


Plan

Plan m (plural Pläne, diminutive Plänche)

Pläne (plural)
Plänche (diminutive)
Plahn (alternative)
Plaan (alternative)
Plang (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western dialectal)

Borrowed from French plan, possibly derived from Latin planus. Compare Hunsrik Plaan.

map (schematic maps of streets, subways, etc., often detailed)


Rad

Rad n (plural Räder or Rader or Rädder or Radder, diminutive Rädche)

Räder (plural)
Rader (plural)
Rädder (plural)
Radder (plural)
Rädche (diminutive)
Radd (alternative)
Raad (alternative)

From Middle High German rat, from Old High German rad, from Proto-West Germanic *raþ, from Proto-Germanic *raþą.


Same

From Middle High German sām, sāme, from Old High German sāmo.


Sie

Sijje (plural)
Siet (alternative)
Sick (alternative Kölsch)
Seck (alternative)
Seit (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German *sīda, northern variant of sīta, from Proto-Germanic *sīdǭ.

Jank op Sie!


Steen

Steen m (plural Steen, diminutive Steenche)

Steen (plural)
Steenche (diminutive)
Stään (alternative)
Stein (alternative)

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) stone


Stock

Stock m (plural Stöck or Stäck, diminutive Stöckelche or Stäckelche)

Stöck (plural)
Stäck (plural)
Stöckelche (diminutive)
Stäckelche (diminutive)

From Middle High German stoc, from Old High German stoc, from Proto-West Germanic *stokk.


Wand

Wand f (plural Wänn or Wäng, diminutive Wändche)

Wänn (plural)
Wäng (plural)
Wändche (diminutive)
Wank (alternative Ripuarian Western dialectal)

From Middle High German and Old High German *wand, northern variant of want. For the phonetic development compare Hand.


Brot

Hunsrik: Brod

Luxembourgish: Brout

From Middle High German brōt, from Old High German brōt, from Proto-West Germanic *braud, from Proto-Germanic *braudą, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁-.


Halve Hahn

(chiefly Kölsch) a cheese sandwich, cut in half


Brut

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Brut n (plural Brude, diminutive Brütche)

Brude (plural)
Brütche (diminutive)
Brot (alternative)

From Middle High German brōt, from Old High German *brōd, northern variant of brōt.

Dat Brut maach ich net, dat es mer ze drüch.

I don’t like that bread, it’s too dry for me.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) bread


Oder

Oder f (plural Odere, diminutive Öderche or Äderche)

Odere (plural)
Öderche (diminutive)
Äderche (diminutive)

From Middle High German āder, from Old High German ādra, from Proto-West Germanic *ādrā.

Die Lück, su klein wie Insekte.
 Die Hüüsjer sinn us wie jemolt.
 Dä Floss, en vibrierende Oder.
 Un Felder, se lööchte en Jold.

The people, as small as insects.
 The houses look like painted.
 The river, a vibrating vein.
 And the fields, they are glowing golden.


Freud

Freed (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Frääd (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Fraajd (alternative Moselle-Franconian)


Brock

Bröck (plural)
Bruck (alternative)
Bruut (alternative)
Brutt (alternative)
Braut (alternative)

From Old High German *brūd, northern variant of brūt. The word underwent the regular Ripuarian velarization -ūd- → -ugd- → -og-.

(most of Ripuarian) bride (woman on or with regard to her wedding day)


Kölsch

Nominalization of kölsch (“of Cologne”).


Faß

Faß n (plural Fäßer or Faßer, diminutive Fäßje or Fäßche)

Fäßer (plural)
Faßer (plural)
Fäßje (diminutive)
Fäßche (diminutive)
Faaß (alternative)

From Middle High German vaz, from Old High German faz, from Proto-West Germanic *fat.

Als sich dat römjesproche hät, do wood vill diskutiert,
 Ob dat Kölsch jedronke weed oder analysiert,
 Dermet mer Neues maache kann – do ha’ mir vier jesat:
 Rusemondaach weed dat Faß en Kölle opjemaht!

1996, “10 Liter Kölsch”performed by Filue:

When word got around, there was a lot of discussion
 Whether that Kölsch beer should be drunk or analysed,
 So that new beer could be made – but the four of us said:
 On Carnival Monday that keg will be opened in Cologne!

(most dialects) barrel, vat, keg, especially for liquids


Klotz

Klotz m (plural Klötz or Klätz, diminutive Klötzje or Klätzche)

Klötz (plural)
Klätz (plural)
Klötzje (diminutive)
Klätzche (diminutive)

From Middle High German kloz, from Old High German kloz, from Proto-West Germanic *klott.

(most dialects) block, log, chunk (piece of a hard material)


Klotz

Klotz n (plural Klötzer or Klätzer, diminutive Klötzje or Klätzche)

Klötzer (plural)
Klätzer (plural)
Klötzje (diminutive)
Klätzche (diminutive)

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


Hank

Hank f (plural Häng, diminutive Hängche)

Häng (plural)
Hängche (diminutive)
Hand (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian Ripuarian)
Hangk (alternative)

From Old High German (*)hand, northern variant of hant. See Hand for more.

(Ripuarian, now chiefly western dialects) hand


Schwester

Schwester f (plural Schwestere, diminutive Schwesterche)

Schwestere (plural)
Schwesterche (diminutive)
Sester (alternative obsolete)
Söster (alternative obsolete)

From Middle High German swëster, from Old High German swester, from Proto-Germanic *swestēr, from Proto-Indo-European *swésōr.
The native form, at least in western dialects, is Söster with swe- → sü- (compare Dutch zuster). The modern form is based on German Schwester.

Meng Schwester es net ens e Johr aaler wie ich.

My sister is less than a year older than me.


Hohn

Hohn n (plural Höhner or Hehner or Hohnder, diminutive Höhnche or Hehnche)

Höhner (plural)
Hehner (plural)
Hohnder (plural)
Höhnche (diminutive)
Hehnche (diminutive)
Huhn (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)
Honn (alternative)

From Middle High German and Old High German huon, from Proto-West Germanic *hōn.

Wann de Hohn bes, moss de Eier läje könne.
Wann de Hahn bes, moss de op de Höhner klemme könne.

ca. 1970, Blom un Blömcher, Ov de Hohn bes oder Hahn (carnival song)

If you're a hen, you must be able to lay eggs.
If you're a rooster you must be able to climb on the hens.
It's really not a big thing whether you're a hen or a rooster!

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) chicken; hen


Kerl

Borrowed from Middle Low German kerl, from Old Saxon *keril, from Proto-West Germanic *karil.

Wer sall meich dann bei die Spielleit fehre, / Wann eich naunder meine Kerl verleere? / Geh, eich wullt, datt Deich der Deiwel hätt!

1874, Peter Joseph Rottmann, Gedichte in Hunsrücker Mundart, page 3:

(Moselle Franconian / Hunsrückisch) fellow, guy, chap, bloke, man


Lein

From Middle High German līn, from Old High German līn, from Proto-West Germanic *līn.

(Moselle Franconian) rope of minor to medium thickness; cord


Aad

Ate (plural)
Aatsje (diminutive)
Aat (alternative)

From Middle High German art, from Old High German *art, from Proto-West Germanic *ard, from Proto-Germanic *ardiz. Compare German Art, Luxembourgish Aart, Limburgish aard and Dutch aard.

(Kirchröadsj) nature, character, disposition

(Kirchröadsj, biology, taxonomy) species


Metz

Metz n (plural Metzer, diminutive Metzje)

Metzer (plural)
Metzje (diminutive)
Mäz (alternative)
Mäzer (alternative)
Mäß (alternative)
Mäßer (alternative)
Mess (alternative)
Messer (alternative)

From Old High German mezzisahs. The Central Franconian -t- might hint at an unshifted relict form; compare Middle Dutch and Limburgish mets. However, the strong contraction may have led to irregular forms, particularly since this /t/ reaches further south than most relict forms do. Influence by the Latin word in Metzeler (“butcher”) is also possible.

Pass op, datt der Jong et Metz net en de Häng kritt.

Take care that the boy won’t get his hands on the knife.

(Ripuarian, some dialects of Moselle Franconian) knife


Aaf

Aafe (plural)
Ääfche (diminutive)
Aap (alternative Ripuarian)
Aff (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German affe, from Old High German affo, from Proto-West Germanic *apō, from Proto-Germanic *apô.

(western Moselle Franconian, few dialects of Ripuarian, Limburgan Ripuarian) ape; monkey


Weiher

Weiher m (plural Weihere, diminutive Weiherche)

From Middle High German wīher, from Old High German wīwāri, from Proto-West Germanic *wīwārī (“pond”). The diphthongisation in Ripuarian is regular because (after the loss intervocalic -w-) the -ī- was in hiatus, where Ripuarian does diphthongise. The diphthong would regularly be /ei̯/ rather than /ɛi̯/, but this distinction has only survived stem-finally.


Rus

Rus f (plural Ruse, diminutive Rüsje or Riesche)

Ruse (plural)
Rüsje (diminutive)
Riesche (diminutive)

From Old High German rōsa, from Latin rosa.


Ääd

From Middle High German ërde, from Old High German erda, from Proto-Germanic *erþō.

Erd (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Äerd (alternative)


Ääpel

tlb

(Ripuarian, especially central and northwestern dialects)

Ääpele (plural)
Äärpel (alternative)
Äädappel (alternative)
Äärdappel (alternative)

Contraction of the full form above, itself from Ääd (“earth”) + Appel (“apple”). Compare regional German Erdapfel (notably uncommon in Rhenish Standard German), Dutch aardappel, French pomme de terre.
The contraction probably started out from the plural Äädäppel as a kind of haplology. The contemporary plural in -e is secondary.


Jitta

Jittas (plural)
Jitaar (alternative)
Gitaar (alternative)

From French guitare and/or German Gitarre.


Schlot

From a contraction similar to that in Dutch sla.


Blotwoosch

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Blotwoosch f (plural Blotwöösch, diminutive Blotwööschje)

Blotwöösch (plural)
Blotwööschje (diminutive)
Blotwursch (alternative)


Kappes

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

Häste keine Kappes metjebrat?

Brassica oleracea
Brassica oleracea#Translingual

Verzäll mer keine Kappes!


Läffel

Läffel m (plural Läffele, diminutive Läffelche)

Läffele (plural)
Läffelche (diminutive)
Läfel (alternative)
Löffel (alternative)
Löfel (alternative)

From Middle High German leffel, from Old High German leffil, from Proto-West Germanic *lapil.

(most dialects, but dated in parts of Ripuarian) spoon


Menutt

From Old French minute, from Medieval Latin minūta (“60th part of an hour; note”).


Künning

Künninge (plural)
Kinnik (alternative)
Künnik (alternative)
Künnig (alternative)
Künnich (alternative)

From Proto-Germanic *kuningaz (compare German König).

Dä Künning vun Spanie heiß Juan Carlos.

The King of Spain is called Juan Carlos.

(some dialects, including Kölsch Ripuarian) king, King (ruler of a kingdom)

Schachmatt ess, wenn dinge Künning jekräje weed, ejal wo de en hendeis.

A checkmate comes about when your king will be caught wherever you put him.

(some dialects, including Kölsch Ripuarian) king (chess piece)

Nohm Ass ess d’r Künning die hüchste Kaat em Spill.

After the ace, the king is the next highest card in the game.

(some dialects, including Kölsch Ripuarian) king (card)


Hatz

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Hatz n (plural Hatze or Hatzer, diminutive Hätzje)

Hatze (plural)
Hatzer (plural)
Hätzje (diminutive)
Hätz (alternative dialectal)
Hetz (alternative dialectal)
Hearz (alternative Moselle-Franconian variant)

From Old High German herza, from Proto-Germanic *hertô, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱḗr.

Schick en stramm jeht hä dran, usse feine Jardemann.
 Hä versteht, wat hä deet, wennt hä op Manöver jeht.
 Jedder Schatz, blond ov schwatz, däut hä an si Jardehatz.
 O du treue Jardemann!

1947, “Jardemarsj”performed by Nico Ploum, Kerkrade Ripuarian cited here in German-based orthography:

Chic and strapping he approaches things, our good guardsman.
 He knows what he does when he goes on maneuver.
 Every sweetheart, blond or black, he presses to his guardsman’s heart.
 Oh you loyal guardsman!


Jaan

From Middle High German garn, from Old High German garn.

Gar (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gare (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gor (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gore (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Jar (alternative Ripuarian rare)

Och weil dat Stina us däm Jaan, Frau Dänz sich Sorje maht.
 Un eines Daachs met ihrem Mann Frau Dänz sich ens üvverlat...

1910, “Et Stina muss ’ne Mann han”, Willi Ostermann (lyrics), Emil Palm (music)performed by Bläck Fööss, published 1985:

Precisely because Stina is made of that yarn, Mrs Dänz is worrying.
 And one day with her husband Mrs Dänz had that thought...


Maat

Määt (plural)
Mart (alternative uncommon)

From Old High German marchāt, from Latin mercātus (compare German Markt).

Op dem Maat stonn die Buure.

The farmers are standing in the marketplace.

En d'r Maathall steiht et Ann.


Hond

Hond m (plural Henn or Hönn or Honn, diminutive Hendche or Höndche)

Henn (plural)
Hönn (plural)
Honn (plural)
Hendche (diminutive)
Höndche (diminutive)
Honk (alternative dialectal)
Hongk (alternative)
Hunk (alternative Kölsch)

Hunsrik: Hund

Kölsch: Hunk, Hungk

Luxembourgish: Hond

From Middle High German hunt, from Old High German hunt, from Proto-West Germanic *hund, from Proto-Germanic *hundaz, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ.

etymon

(Moselle Franconian, southern Ripuarian) dog; hound


Bei

From Old High German bīa, from Proto-Germanic *bijō.


Dauf

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Dauf f (plural Dauwe, diminutive Daifche)

Dauwe (plural)
Daifche (diminutive)
Dauw (alternative)
Douf (alternative)
Douw (alternative)
Duuv (alternative Ripuarian)
doef (alternative)


Been

Been n (plural Been, diminutive Beenche)

Been (plural)
Beenche (diminutive)
Bään (alternative)
Bein (alternative)

Hunsrik: Been

Luxembourgish: Been

From Middle High German bein, from Old High German bein, from Proto-West Germanic *bain, from Proto-Germanic *bainą, from *bainaz, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyh₂-.

etymon

Et es e Wonder, datt du met dä kurte Been su flögg loofe kanns.

It’s a wonder that you can run so fast with those short legs.

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) leg


Zong

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Zong f (plural Zonge, diminutive Zöngelche or Zengelche)

Zonge (plural)
Zöngelche (diminutive)
Zengelche (diminutive)

From Middle High German zunge, from Old High German zunga, from Proto-West Germanic *tungā, from Proto-Germanic *tungǭ, from Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (“tongue”).

both etymologies may be distinguished by tone

Küss de met der Zong bes an de Nas?

Can you touch your nose with your tongue?


Zong

Zong m (plural Zöng, diminutive Zöngche)

Zöng (plural)
Zöngche (diminutive)
Zung (alternative Kölsch)
Zoun (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Zaun (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Zuu (alternative)

From Middle High German and Old High German zūn, from Proto-West Germanic *tūn, from Proto-Germanic *tūną.

Der Honk es üvver der Zong jespronge on fottjeloofe.

The dog jumped over the fence and ran away.


Woch

Woch f (plural Woche, diminutive Wöchelche)

Woche (plural)
Wöchelche (diminutive)
Wech (alternative)
Wääch (alternative)

Hunsrik: Woch

Luxembourgish: Woch

From Middle High German woche, from Old High German wohha, alteration of earlier wehha, from Proto-West Germanic *wikā, from Proto-Germanic *wikǭ. The Moselle Franconian form is actually based on *wuhha (compare the Luxembourgish entry below), whereas the Ripuarian form is a relatively recent borrowing form standard German Woche. Compare German Woche, Dutch week, English week.

Hä es vür vier ov sechs Woche jestorve.


Fleesch

From Middle High German fleisch, from Old High German fleisk, from Proto-West Germanic *flaiski.

Flääsch (alternative)
Fleisch (alternative)

Wann denge Fründ kee Fleesch iss, moss e luure, wie e von Ääpele on Schlot üvverläv.

If your boyfriend doesn’t eat meat, he must find a way to survive on potatoes and salad.

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) meat; flesh


Schank

Schank m (plural Schänk, diminutive Schänkelche)

Schänk (plural)
Schänkelche (diminutive)

From Middle High German schanc. The relation to schranc (German Schrank) seems not quite clear. If schanc is a simplified form, it may have been influenced by schaf (whence the northwestern Central Franconian Schaf).


Fläsch

Fläsch f (plural Fläsche, diminutive Fläschelche or Fläschje)

Fläsche (plural)
Fläschelche (diminutive)
Fläschje (diminutive)

From Middle High German vlasche, from Proto-Germanic *flaskǭ, with regular secondary umlaut before -sch- (cf. wäsche, Frösch etc.).

Maach noch ens die Tüt aan, hee es noch lang nit Schloss.
 Un och noch en Fläsch op, ich well noch nit noh Hus.

2001, “Superjeile Zick”performed by Brings:

Light the joint once more, this won’t be over for long.
 And open another bottle, I don’t want to go home yet.


Kallef

Kallef n (plural Kalwer or Kälwer, diminutive Källefche)

Kalwer (plural)
Kälwer (plural)
Källefche (diminutive)
Kallev (alternative)
Kauv (alternative Ripuarian)

From Old High German calf, northern variant of kalb, from Proto-Germanic *kalbaz.

(Moselle Franconian) calf (young bovine animal)


Dokter

Dokter m (plural Döktersch or Dökters or Däkter or Doktere, feminine Doktersch)

Döktersch (plural)
Dökters (plural)
Däkter (plural)
Doktere (plural)
Doktersch (feminine)


Huus

Huus n (plural Hüüser, diminutive Hüüsje)

Hüüser (plural)
Hüüsje (diminutive)
Hus (alternative alternative)
Haus (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German and Old High German hūs.


Koh

Koh f (plural Köh or Keh, diminutive Köhche or Kehche)

Köh (plural)
Keh (plural)
Köhche (diminutive)
Kehche (diminutive)
Kuh (alternative)

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) cow (female bovine animal)


Duuv

Duuv f (plural Duuve, diminutive Düüvje)

Duuve (plural)
Düüvje (diminutive)
Duv (alternative)
Dauf (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German dūve, from Old High German dūva, northern variant of tūba, from Proto-West Germanic *dūbā.

Besser en Mösch en der Hand wie en Duuv om Daach.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof.


Sonn

Sonn f (plural Sonne, diminutive Sönnche or Sennche)

Sonne (plural)
Sönnche (diminutive)
Sennche (diminutive)

Hunsrik: Sunn, Sonn

Luxembourgish: Sonn

etymologies may be distinguished by tone

Dat Hätz vun der Welt, jo dat es Kölle.
 Dat Hätz vun der Welt, dat steiht am Rhing.
 Es och der Himmel öfters jrau un et Sönnche schingk jet mau,
 Doch die Kölsche hann em Hätze Sonnesching.

1997, “Dat Hätz vun d’r Welt (Remake)”performed by De Höhner:

The heart of the world, yeah that’s Cologne.
 The heart of the world stands on the Rhine.
 May the sky be often grey and the sun shine rather poorly,
 But Colognians have sunshine in their hearts.


Sonn

Sonn m (plural Sönn or Senn, diminutive Sönnche or Sennche)

Sönn (plural)
Senn (plural)
Sönnche (diminutive)
Sennche (diminutive)
Sunn (alternative rare variant)

Luxembourgish: Sonn

Op dä Kinddäuf vun däm Mattes singem Sonn
 Kunnt ich mingen Onkel Schäng nit mieh verstonn.
 Denn dä Onkel Schäng, dä danzte wie noch nie.
 Doch op eimol däten däm de Föß jet wieh.

1974, “Rof mer ens e Taxi”performed by Bläck Fööss:

At the baptism party for Matthew’s son
 I couldn’t understand my Uncle John.
 Because Uncle John danced like never before,
 But at some point his feet started to hurt.


Schof

Schof n (plural Schof, diminutive Schöfje or Schöfche or Schäfche)

Schof (plural)
Schöfje (diminutive)
Schöfche (diminutive)
Schäfche (diminutive)

From Old High German scāf, from Proto-Germanic *skēpą. Cognate with German Schaf, Limburgish sjaop, Dutch schaap, West Frisian skiep, English sheep.


Daach

Daach m (plural Daach or Dääch or Dooch)

Daach (plural)
Dääch (plural)
Dooch (plural)
Dag (alternative)

From Middle High German dach, from Old High German dag, northern variant of tag, from Proto-West Germanic *dag.


Daach

From Middle High German dach, from Old High German dah, from Proto-West Germanic *þak. Cognate with German Dach, English thack, thatch, Dutch dak, Icelandic þak.


Eech

Eeche (plural)
Ääch (alternative)
Eich (alternative)

From Old High German eih, from Proto-Germanic *aiks.

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) oak (tree)


Aap

Aape (plural)
Ääpche (diminutive)
Aaf (alternative)
Aff (alternative)

From Proto-West Germanic *apō. One of several Ripuarian relict words with an unshifted post-vocalic plosive. Compare deep (“deep”), söke (“to seek”).


Seel

Seel n (plural Seeler or Seel, diminutive Seelche)

Seeler (plural)
Seel (plural)
Seelche (diminutive)
Sääl (alternative)
Seil (alternative)

From Middle High German seil, from Old High German seil, from Proto-West Germanic *sail.

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) rope of medium to maximal thickness


Leeder

Leeder f (plural Leedere, diminutive Leederche)

Leedere (plural)
Leederche (diminutive)
Ledder (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Leejer (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Lääder (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)
Leider (alternative)

From Old High German *hleidara, northern variant of hleitara.

(central and eastern Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) ladder


Duch

Duch n (plural Diecher, diminutive Diechelche)

Diecher (plural)
Diechelche (diminutive)
Duuch (alternative)
Doch (alternative)
Dooch (alternative)

From Middle High German tuoch, from Old High German (*)duoh, northern variant of tuoh, from Proto-West Germanic *dōk.
Cognate with German Tuch (“cloth; towel”), Dutch doek (“cloth”), Danish dug (“cloth; tablecloth”), English duck (“canvas”).

(most dialects of Moselle Franconian) cloth


Spidol

Spidol n (plural Spidöler or Spidäler, diminutive Spidölche or Spidälche)

Spidöler (plural)
Spidäler (plural)
Spidölche (diminutive)
Spidälche (diminutive)

Hunsrik: Spitaal

Luxembourgish: Spidol

From Middle High German spitāl, hospitāl, from Old High German *hospitāl (attested in hospitālhūs (“hospital”)), from Latin hospitale. Compare regional German Spital.

Wann se mich net tirek en et Spidol jebraht hätte, wör ich jestorve.

If they hadn’t brought me directly to the hospital, I would’ve died.


Bunn

Bunn f (plural Bunne, diminutive Bünnche)

Bunne (plural)
Bünnche (diminutive)
Buhn (alternative)

Hunsrik: Bohn

Luxembourgish: Boun

From Middle High German bōne, from Old High German bōna.


Bal

Bel (plural)
Beëlsje (diminutive)
Ball (alternative dialectal)

Kirchröadsj spelling of Ball (etymology 1)

Dat woar ingen jouwe Bal!

Iech versjton d'r gingen Bal va.

(Kirchröadsj, chiefly in the negative) anything


Bal

Bals (plural)
Ball (alternative dialectal)

Kirchröadsj spelling of Ball (etymology 2)


Bal

Bale (plural)
Belsje (diminutive)
Ball (alternative dialectal)

From Old French bale, from Frankish *balla, from Proto-Germanic *balluz.

(Kirchröadsj) A closed bag or package of wares.


Jong

Jong m (plural Jonge, diminutive Jöngelche or Jengelche)

Jonge (plural)
Jöngelche (diminutive)
Jengelche (diminutive)

Nominalised form of jong, jonk (“young”).

Häs de ens met uns jesonge,
 Met all dä Mädcher un dä Jonge,
 Wells de emmer widderkumme:
 Wä bliev schon jään allein!

2003, “Wenn mir Kölsche singe”performed by Bläck Fööss:

If you’ve ever sung with us,
 With all the girls and boys,
 You’ll always want to come back:
 Who likes to stay alone!


Beidel

Böggel (alternative)
Büel (alternative)
Büggel (alternative)

(Moselle Franconian) pouch; bag; purse; wallet


Mouer

Hunsrik: Mauer

Luxembourgish: Mauer

From Middle High German mūre, from Old High German mūra, from Proto-West Germanic *mūrā, borrowed from Latin mūrus, from Proto-Italic *moiros, from Proto-Indo-European *mey- + *-rós.


Buur

Buure (plural)
Boor (alternative)
Bouer (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Bauer (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German būre, from Old High German *būro, byform of gibūro, from Proto-West Germanic *būr, from Proto-Germanic *būraz (“inhabitant, dweller”).


Ies

Ies (plural)
Iesje (diminutive)
Eis (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German and Old High German īs, from Proto-West Germanic *īs, from Proto-Germanic *īsą.


Muus

Müüs (plural)
Müüsje (diminutive)
Mus (alternative)
Maus (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Mous (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Hunsrik: Maus

Luxembourgish: Maus

From Middle High German mūs, from Old High German mūs, from Proto-West Germanic *mūs, from Proto-Germanic *mūs, from Proto-Indo-European *múHs.

etymon

Ich jlööve, mer hann en Muus em Huus.


Beer

From Middle High German bere f, from the plural of ber n, from Old High German beri.

(Moselle Franconian) berry (kind of fruit)


Beer

From Middle High German bere m, from Old High German bero, from Proto-Germanic *berô.


Beer

From Middle High German bier, from Old High German bior, from Proto-Germanic *beuzą.

(parts of western Moselle Franconian) beer


Jass

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Jass f (plural Jasse, diminutive Jässje)

Jasse (plural)
Jässje (diminutive)
Jaas (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Gass (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)
Gaß (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)

From Middle High German gazze, from Old High German gazza, from Proto-Germanic *gatwǭ (compare German Gasse).


Kaat

Kaat f (plural Kaate, diminutive Käätche)

Kaate (plural)
Käätche (diminutive)
Kart (alternative)

From French carte (compare German Karte).


Pann

Pann f (plural Panne, diminutive Pännche)

Hunsrik: Pann

From Old High German *panna, a northern variant of pfanna, from Proto-Germanic *pannǭ, from Latin panna. Compare German Pfanne, Dutch pan, English pan.


Ovve

Ovve m (plural Övve or Ovve or Övvens or Ovvens, diminutive Övvje)

Övve (plural)
Ovve (plural)
Övvens (plural)
Ovvens (plural)
Övvje (diminutive)
Owe (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Oawe (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Uawe (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Hunsrik: Ove

Luxembourgish: Uewen

Transylvanian Saxon: Owen, Îewen

From Middle High German oven, from Old High German ofan, from Proto-West Germanic *ofn, from Proto-Germanic *uhnaz.


Pand

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Pand n (plural Pänner or Pänder, diminutive Pändche)

Pänner (plural)
Pänder (plural)
Pändche (diminutive)
Pank (alternative Ripuarian Western dialectal)

From Old High German *pand, northern variant of phant. Cognate with German Pfand and English pawn.

(many dialects) pledge; security; deposit; pawn


Dörp

Dörp n (plural Dörper, diminutive Dörpche)

Dörper (plural)
Dörpche (diminutive)
Dorp (alternative)
Dorf (alternative)

From Old High German thorp, northern variant of thorf, from Proto-Germanic *þurpą.


Woo

Woo f (plural Wohe, diminutive Wähelche)

Wohe (plural)
Wähelche (diminutive)
Woh (alternative)
Wooch (alternative)

(southern and eastern Moselle Franconian) scales (instrument for measuring)


Platt

1986, Hermann Josef Ersfeld, Vam alen Eitorfer Platt wi et der Urjroßvatter jeschwatt het. Eine Pilotstudie zu Josef Ersfelds Totalerfassung des Eitorfer Alt-Dialekts (Schriftenreihe des Heimatvereins Eitorf 1)

Of the old dialect of Eitorf as the great-grandfather spoke it

dialect, a local form of Central Franconian (or even any other dialect)


Leed

Leed n (plural Leeder, diminutive Leedche)

Leeder (plural)
Leedche (diminutive)
Lied (alternative)

Leeder zom Laache, zom Kriesche och,
 Ha’ mer en Kölle satt un jenooch.
 Wat uns bewääch un wat uns bedröck,
 Dat moss einfach rus, söns weed mer verröck!

Songs for laughing, for crying too,
 We have in Cologne plenty and enough.
 What moves us and what depresses us
 Must be expressed, or else we go crazy!

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) song


Leed

(Ripuarian, western Moselle Franconian) sorrow; grief; agony


Weech

Weech n (plural Weechter, diminutive Weechje or Weechelche)

Weechter (plural)
Weechje (diminutive)
Weechelche (diminutive)

(Ripuarian) a child, especially a girl, daughter


Weech

Weech f (plural Weeje, diminutive Weejelche)

Weeje (plural)
Weejelche (diminutive)
Weeg (alternative)
Wiech (alternative)

Un hätt ich mieh wie nur ei Levve, soll jedes Mol ming Weech hee stonn.
 Hee well ich dausend Fähler maache un dann vun hee zom Düüvel jonn.

2015, “Dausend Levve”performed by Kasalla:

And if I had more than just one life, every time my cradle should stand here.
 Here I want to make a thousand mistakes and from here go to the devil.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) cradle


Schoss

From Middle High German schuz. Cognate with German Schuss.


Schoss

From Middle High German schoz. Cognate with German Geschoss (“storey”).


Plaz

Plaz f (plural Plaze or Plätz, diminutive Plätzje)

Plaze (plural)
Plätz (plural)
Plätzje (diminutive)
Plaaz (alternative)
Plaatsch (alternative Ripuarian Western)
plaatsj (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Platz (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)

From Old French place, from Latin platea. Ripuarian /aː/ requires a Middle High German *plaze with short -a- in an open syllable.

(chiefly Ripuarian) place
spot, location

(chiefly Ripuarian) place
seat, place to sit

(chiefly Ripuarian) place
(uncountable) space, room


Füür

Füür n (plural Füür, diminutive Füürche)

Füür (plural)
Füürche (diminutive)
Feier (alternative)
Fauer (alternative)

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

Setz dich bei et Füür, do häs de-r-et wärm.

Go sit by the fire, where it’s warm for you.


Muul

Muul f (plural Muule, diminutive Müülche)

Muule (plural)
Müülche (diminutive)
Moul (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German mūle, from Old High German mūla, from Proto-Germanic *mūlō.

(both rare)


Muul

Muul n (plural Müüler, diminutive Müülche)

Müüler (plural)
Müülche (diminutive)
Moul (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German mūl, from Old High German *mūl, from Proto-Germanic *mūlą.

(Ripuarian) mouth of an animal; snout; muzzle


Muul

Muule (plural)
Moul (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From French mule, probably via Middle Dutch mule, muyle.


Sproch

Sproch m (plural Spröch or Sprech, diminutive Spröchelche or Sprechelche)

Spröch (plural)
Sprech (plural)
Spröchelche (diminutive)
Sprechelche (diminutive)

From Middle High German spruch, from Old High German *spruch, *spruh, Proto-West Germanic *spruki (“saying”), related to the verb *sprekan (“to speak”). Cognate with German Spruch, which see.


Penning

Penning (plural)
Penninge (plural)
Pennek (alternative)
Fennig (alternative)

Inherited from Proto-Germanic *panningaz.

Un es se och nit rich, es keine Millionär,
 Wat ze verschenke, dat fällt dä nit schwär.
 Un sinn et nur zehn Penning un nit mieh,
 Dofür hät se ävver unser Sympathie.

1969, “Mir schenke der Ahl e paar Blömcher”performed by Lotti Krekel:

And though she isn’t rich, she’s not a millionaire,
 Giving something away to her comes easy.
 And though it’s but ten pennies and no more,
 She can be sure of our affection.

(Ripuarian, now historical or figurative) penny, pfennig


Deiwel

Wer sall meich dann bei die Spielleit fehre, / Wann eich naunder meine Kerl verleere? / Geh, eich wullt, datt Deich der Deiwel hätt!

(Moselle Franconian / Hunsrückisch) devil


Odem

From Middle High German ādem, from Old High German *ādum, northern variant of ātum.


Schohn

Schohn m (plural Schohn, diminutive Schöhnche)

Schohn (plural)
Schöhnche (diminutive)
Schuh (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Schoh (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German scuoh, from Proto-Germanic *skōhaz, with an -n that is originally a plural ending. Compare the same in Luxembourgish Schong, Dutch schoen.


Zand

Zand m (plural Zänn or Zäng, diminutive Zändche)

Zänn (plural)
Zäng (plural)
Zändche (diminutive)
Zank (alternative)
Zahn (alternative)

From Middle High German zan, zant, from Old High German zan, zand, from Proto-West Germanic *tanþ.
For the phonetic development compare Hand. The fact that Zand has been used in Kölsch and adjacent dialects is remarkable, because these must have adopted the form from the south rather than from standard German.


Huusfrau

Huusfraue (plural)
Husfrau (alternative alternative)
Hausfraa (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Hausfroo (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Hausfrau (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German hūsvrouwe. Equivalent to Huus + Frau.


Froo

Frohe (plural)
Froh (alternative)
Frooch (alternative)

From Middle High German vrāge, from Old High German frāga.


Froo

Froo f (plural Frooleit or Frohe, diminutive Frääche)

Frooleit (plural)
Frohe (plural)
Frääche (diminutive)
Fraa (alternative)
Frau (alternative)

(few dialects of Moselle Franconian) woman, wife


Fraa

Fraa f (plural Fraaleit or Frahe, diminutive Frääche or Fraache)

Fraaleit (plural)
Frahe (plural)
Frääche (diminutive)
Fraache (diminutive)
Frau (alternative)
Froo (alternative)

Hunsrik: Fraa

Luxembourgish: Fra

Sei sefriere! wann eich brav Karline
 Loorde in dem naue Lann verdiene,
 Kumm eich wierer, unn Dau gist mei Fraa.

1874, Peter Joseph Rottmann, Gedichte in Hunsrücker Mundart, page 4:

Be content! When I, dear Karline,
 Am making loads in that foreign land,
 I will come back and you will be my wife.

(most of Moselle Franconian) woman, wife


Illech

Illech (plural)
Öllisch (alternative)
Öllich (alternative)

(Moselle Franconian) onion (Allium cepa)


Trottwa

From French trottoir; compare German Trottoir.

(many dialects, including Aachen) sidewalk


Wenter

Wentere (plural)
Wengter (alternative Ripuarian Western dialectal)
Wonter (alternative)
Wönter (alternative)

Hunsrik: Winter

Luxembourgish: Wanter

From Middle High German winter, from Old High German wintar, from Proto-Germanic *wintruz.

Jedes Johr em Wenter, wenn et widder schneit,
Kütt der Fastelovend un mir sinn all bereit.

1993, “Denn wenn et Trömmelche jeiht”performed by Räuber:

Every year in winter when it snows again,
That’s when the carnival season comes, and all of us are ready.

(most of Moselle Franconian, parts of Ripuarian) winter


Doch

Doch n (plural Döcher, diminutive Döchelche)

Döcher (plural)
Döchelche (diminutive)
Dooch (alternative)
Duch (alternative)
Duuch (alternative)

From Old High German (*)duoh, northern variant of tuoh.

Ühr Ideale hatt er diskret verschlamp wie e jebruch Tempo-Doch.

You discreetly chucked away your ideals like a used tissue. (Line from the BAP song “Zehnter Juni”)


Blotwursch

Blotwursch f (plural Blotwürsch, diminutive Blotwürschje)

Blotwürsch (plural)
Blotwürschje (diminutive)
Blotwoosch (alternative)

/ˈbloːtˌʋuə̯ʃ/

(most dialects of Ripuarian) blood sausage


Hous

Hous n (plural Heiser, diminutive Heische)


Dür

Dür f (plural Dürre or Düre, diminutive Dürche)

Dürre (plural)
Düre (plural)
Dürche (diminutive)
Dir (alternative)

Hunsrik: Deer

Luxembourgish: Dier

From Old High German *duri, northern variant of turi, from Proto-Germanic *durz, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰwer-.

Un klopp och öfters ens ’ne Ärme an ihr Dür,
 Datt se jar nix jitt, ich jläuv, dat kütt nit vür.

And though some poor man will often knock on her door,
 That she won’t give anything, I don’t think it ever happens.


Knee

Knee (plural)
Kneen (plural)
Knie (alternative)

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) knee


Stään

Stään m (plural Stään or Stääne, diminutive Stäänche)

Stään (plural)
Stääne (plural)
Stäänche (diminutive)
Stär (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Stären (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Stern (alternative)

From Old High German sterro, sterno from Proto-Germanic *sternǭ, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr.


Stään

Stään m (plural Stään, diminutive Stäänche)

Stään (plural)
Stäänche (diminutive)
Steen (alternative Moselle-Franconian Ripuarian Western)
Stein (alternative)

From Old High German stein, from Proto-Germanic *stainaz.

(eastern Moselle Franconian, except Westerwald) stone


Siel

Siel f (plural Siele, diminutive Sielche)

From Old High German sēla, from Proto-Germanic *saiwalō. Central Franconian -ī- is the regular outcome of Old High German -ē-. (The form is thus in line with German Seele, English soul, rather than Dutch ziel.)


Motter

Motter (plural Mötter or Metter, diminutive Mötterche or Metterche)

Mötter (plural)
Metter (plural)
Mötterche (diminutive)
Metterche (diminutive)
Modder (alternative)
Moder (alternative)

Borrowed from German Mutter. The native form is obsolete Moder; both are from Old High German muoter, muoder, from Proto-Germanic *mōdēr, from Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr.

Meng Mamm hätt sich dat net könne vürstelle, datt ich als Motter ärbeede john.

My mother would have found it inconceivable that I should go work as a mother.


Vatter

Vatter m (plural Vätter, diminutive Vätterche)

Vätter (plural)
Vätterche (diminutive)
Vadder (alternative)

From early modern German Vatter (contemporary Vater). The native dialectal form is obsolete Vader (except in the Limburgan-Ripuarian Transitional Dialects). Both from Old High German fater, fader.

Menge Bapp hät jemeent, als Vatter moss mer seng Famillich alleen ernähre.

My father thought that as a father you must provide for your family on your own.


Noacht

Noachte (plural)
Noaht (alternative)
Naacht (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian)
Naach (alternative)
Naht (alternative)

From Middle High German naht, nagt, from Old High German naht.

(parts of western Moselle Franconian) night


Kriech

Kriech (plural)
Kreech (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern Ripuarian)

Hunsrik: Kriegh, kriich


Johr

Johr n (plural Johr or Johre, diminutive Jöhrche or Jährche)

Johr (plural)
Johre (plural)
Jöhrche (diminutive)
Jährche (diminutive)

From Middle High German jār, from Old High German jār, from Proto-West Germanic *jār, from Proto-Germanic *jērą.

(most dialects, including Ripuarian) year


Modder

Modder f (plural Moddere, diminutive Möddersje)

Moddere (plural)
Möddersje (diminutive)
Motter (alternative)

Hunsrik: Mutter

Luxembourgish: Mudder

From Middle High German muoter, from Old High German muoter, from Proto-West Germanic *mōder, from Proto-Germanic *mōdēr, from Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr. Compare Limburgish moder, English mother.


Modder

Hunsrik: Mutter

A shortening of Moddersjroef, from Modder (“mother”) + Sjroef (“screw”).


Fesch

head

Fesch m (plural Fesch, diminutive Feschelche or Feschje)

Fesch (plural)
Feschelche (diminutive)
Feschje (diminutive)

Hunsrik: Fisch

Kölsch: Fesch

Luxembourgish: Fësch

Transylvanian Saxon: Fäsch

From Middle High German visch, from Old High German fisc, from Proto-West Germanic *fisk, from Proto-Germanic *fiskaz.

Et jitt Waßer en der Rheng, da krijje de kleen Fesch och jet av.

Water’s getting into the Rhine, so the smaller fish will get some too. (A humorous saying when it is raining)


Zoot

Zoot f (plural Zoote, diminutive Zöötche)

Zoote (plural)
Zöötche (diminutive)
Zort (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Attested 15th century as zortten (plural). Directly from Middle French sorte.

Ääpele jitt et er vill Zoote.

Dat es en Zoot, die stirv net us.

Those kind of people, they’ll never die out.

(in particular) a certain kind of people, of characters


Bösch

Bösch m (plural Böscher or Bösche, diminutive Böschelche or Böschje)

Böscher (plural)
Bösche (plural)
Böschelche (diminutive)
Böschje (diminutive)
Besch (alternative)

From Old High German busk. The -ö- is due to regular secondary umlaut before -sch- (compare wäsche, Frösch, etc.).

Wie weck lööf der Has en der Bösch? – Bes en de Medde, dernoh lööf e widder erus.

“How far into the forest will a hare run? – To the middle, after that it runs out again.” (A conundrum.)


Wääch

Wääch (plural)
Wää (plural)
Wäje (plural)
Wäg (alternative)

From Old High German weg, from Proto-Germanic *wegaz, from Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ-.


Löck

Löck (plurale tantum, diminutive Löckcher)

Löckcher (diminutive)
Lück (alternative)
Lüü (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Lie (alternative)
Leit (alternative)

From Middle High German liute, from Old High German liudī, northern variant of liutī. The word underwent the regular Ripuarian velarisation -iud- → -ügd- → -ög-.

Bemöh dich doch net dermet, wat de Löck verzälle.

(most of Ripuarian) people; persons; folk


Dau

From Old High German *dou, northern variant of tou.


Dau

Daue (plural)
Däu (alternative)
Dei (alternative)

Däm moss mer ens ene Dau jevve, datt e noh vüre kütt.

He’d need to be given a push, so that he might get ahead.


Mau

From Middle High German mouwe, from Old High German mouwa, from Proto-West Germanic *mauwu, from Proto-Germanic *mawwō (“muff, sleeve”). Cognate with Dutch mouw.


Ärm

Ärm m (plural Ärm or Ärme, diminutive Ärmche)

Ärm (plural)
Ärme (plural)
Ärmche (diminutive)
Arm (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Orm (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German arm, from Proto-West Germanic *arm, from Proto-Germanic *armaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ermos, *h₂ŕ̥mos. The development -a- → -ę- is regular before -r- + a non-dental consonant.


Honk

Honk m (plural Höng or Hong, diminutive Hönkche)

Höng (plural)
Hong (plural)
Hönkche (diminutive)
Hong (alternative)
Hunk (alternative)
Hung (alternative)
Hond (alternative)

From Old High German hunt (with Ripuarian velarisation), from Proto-Germanic *hundaz, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ.


Bröck

Bröck f (plural Brögge, diminutive Bröggelche)

Brögge (plural)
Bröggelche (diminutive)
Breck (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Hunsrik: Brick

Luxembourgish: Bréck

From Middle High German brucke, from Old High German brugga, from Proto-West Germanic *bruggju, from Proto-Germanic *brugjǭ.


Bröck

(Ripuarian, most dialects) plural of Brock (“bride”)


Weng

head

Weng m (plural Weng, diminutive Wengche)

Weng (plural)
Wengche (diminutive)
Wing (alternative Kölsch)
Wein (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German wīn, from Proto-West Germanic *wīn, with regular Ripuarian velarization of -īn-.


Wooch

Wooge (plural)
Woog (alternative)
Woo (alternative)

(Ripuarian, north-western Moselle Franconian) scales (instrument for measuring)


Berch

Berch m (plural Berch, diminutive Berjelche)

Berch (plural)
Berjelche (diminutive)
Beerch (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)

From Middle High German bërc, from Old High German berg.

(Ripuarian, eastern Moselle Franconian) mountain


Blot

Hunsrik: Blud

Luxembourgish: Blutt

From Middle High German bluot, from Old High German bluot, from Proto-West Germanic *blōd, from Proto-Germanic *blōþą, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃-.

etymon

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) blood


Droom

head

Droom m (plural Drööm or Dreem or Drääm, diminutive Dröömche or Dreemche or Dräämche)

Drööm (plural)
Dreem (plural)
Drääm (plural)
Dröömche (diminutive)
Dreemche (diminutive)
Dräämche (diminutive)
Draum (alternative)
Droum (alternative)
Draam (alternative)

From Middle High German drōm, from Old High German *droum, northern variant of troum.


Liev

Liev m or n (plural Liever, diminutive Lievje)

Liever (plural)
Lievje (diminutive)
Liff (alternative)
Leif (alternative)

From Old High German *līf, northern variant of līb, from Proto-Germanic *lībą.


Märch

From Middle High German marc, from Old High German marg with regular -ar- → -ęr- before a non-dental consonant, from Proto-West Germanic *maʀg, from Proto-Germanic *mazgą, from Proto-Indo-European *mosgʰos. Compare the same in Dutch merg.

March (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Mark (alternative)


Butz

Onomatopoeic; compare southern German Bussi (“kiss”) and similar forms in many languages. But possibly based on, or conflated with, a derivative of Proto-Germanic *bautaną (“to push”). A second sense “push” is attested for some Central Franconian dialects. It may even be the older one if Dutch botsen (“collide”) is borrowed from it (as supposed in some of the literature).

onomatopoeic

Onomatopoeic

Jevv mer ens e Bützje odder häs de mich nemmieh jään?

So give me a kiss, or don’t you love me anymore?


Pastuur

From Latin pāstor, but both the accent and the vocalism require a pronunciation pastōr (from the inflected forms). Compare the same in Dutch pastoor and, as one of two pronunciations, in German Pastor.

(most dialects) pastor (clergyman who serves a parish)


Rään

From Old High German regan, from Proto-West Germanic *regn, from Proto-Germanic *regną.


Hot

head

Hot m (plural Höt or Heet, diminutive Hötche or Heetche)

Höt (plural)
Heet (plural)
Hötche (diminutive)
Heetche (diminutive)
Hut (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German (*)huod, northern variant of huot, from Proto-Germanic *hōdaz.

Maht et jot, ich schweng’ der Hot!

Take care, I’m taking my hat off! (A common informal good-bye)

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) hat


Jrav

Jrav n (plural Jräver or Jraver, diminutive Jrävje)

Jräver (plural)
Jraver (plural)
Jrävje (diminutive)
Graf (alternative)

From Old High German graf, northern variant of grap, from Proto-Germanic *grabą.


Schull

Hunsrik: Schul

Luxembourgish: Schoul

The expected outcome of Old High German scuola would be šūl in southern Moselle Franconian, and šōl in northern Moselle Franconian and Ripuarian. The actual vocalism, namely šōl in the very south, šul elsewhere, implies an Old High German form *scōla through (re-)adaptation to Latin schola. This would also explain Luxembourgish Schoul (see there).


Zank

Zank m (plural Zäng, diminutive Zänkche)

Zäng (plural)
Zänkche (diminutive)
Zand (alternative)
Zahn (alternative)

From Middle High German zan, zant, from Old High German zan, zand, from Proto-West Germanic *tanþ, from Proto-Germanic *tanþs, from Proto-Indo-European *h₃dónts. For the phonetic development compare Hand.

Jank, Schäng, ’ch hann Zankpeng.

Go away, John, I have toothache. (Humorous example of “Ripuarian Chinese”.)

(Ripuarian, now chiefly western dialects) tooth


Deev

Deeve (plural)
Deev (plural)
Deef (alternative Moselle-Franconian Northern)
Dief (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German dief, from Old High German *diof, northern variant of diob, from Proto-West Germanic *þeub.


Broder

Broder m (plural Bröder or Breder, diminutive Bröderche or Brederche)

Bröder (plural)
Breder (plural)
Bröderche (diminutive)
Brederche (diminutive)
Bruder (alternative)

From Middle High German and Old High German bruoder.

Menge Broder es net ens e Johr aaler wie ich.

My brother is less than a year older than me.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) brother


Tron

Tron f (plural Trone, diminutive Trönche or Tränche)

Trone (plural)
Trönche (diminutive)
Tränche (diminutive)

From Middle High German trān, northern form of trahen, from Old High German trahan, from Proto-Germanic *trahnuz.

Kumm, loss mer fiere, nit lamentiere.
 Jet Spass un Freud, dat hät noch keinem Minsch jeschad.
 Denn die Trone, die de laachs, moss de nit kriesche.
 Loss mer fiere op kölsche Aat.

1991, “Loss mer fiere”performed by De Höhner:

Come on, let's celebrate, not whine.
 A little fun and joy has never hurt anybody.
 The tears you laugh, you don't have to cry.
 So let's celebrate like real Colognians.

(most dialects) tear (liquid from the eye)


Mondaach

Mondaach m (plural Mondaach or Mondääch)

From Middle High German māntac, from Old High German *māndag, northern variant of māntag, from late Proto-West Germanic *mānini dag (“day of the moon”).


Dingsdaach

head

Dingsdaach m (plural Dingsdaach or Dingsdääch)

Dingsdaach (plural)
Dingsdääch (plural)
Densdaach (alternative)
Dengsdaach (alternative)


Donnersdaach

Donnersdaach m (plural Donnersdaach or Donnersdääch)

Donnersdaach (plural)
Donnersdääch (plural)
Donneschdaach (alternative)


Freidaach

Freidaach m (plural Freidaach or Freidääch)

Freidaach (plural)
Freidääch (plural)
Friedaach (alternative)


Sambsdaach

Sambsdaach m (plural Sambsdaach or Sambsdääch)


Sonndaach

Sonndaach m (plural Sonndaach or Sonndääch)


Samsdaach

Samsdaach m (plural Samsdaach or Samsdääch)

Samsdaach (plural)
Samsdääch (plural)
Sambsdaach (alternative alternative)
Zamsdieg (alternative)


Densdaach

Densdaach m (plural Densdaach or Densdääch)

Densdaach (plural)
Densdääch (plural)
Dingsdaach (alternative)
Dengsdaach (alternative)


Friedaach

Friedaach m (plural Friedaach or Friedääch)

Friedaach (plural)
Friedääch (plural)
Freidaach (alternative)


Hock

Höck (plural)
Hout (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Huut (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Huck (alternative Kölsch)

From Old High German hūd, northern variant of hūt, from Proto-Germanic *hūdiz.


Ooch

Ooch n (plural Ooge, diminutive Ööjelche)

Ooge (plural)
Ööjelche (diminutive)
Auch (alternative)
Au (alternative)

Ripuarian; most dialects of northern Moselle Franconian

From Middle High German ouge, from Old High German ouga.

Ich hann jet em Ooch.

(most of Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) eye


Nas

Nas f (plural Nase, diminutive Näsje or Näsche)

Nase (plural)
Näsje (diminutive)
Näsche (diminutive)
Noas (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)
Nos (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western)

Hunsrik: Naas

From Middle High German nase, from Proto-Germanic *nasō.

(Ripuarian, eastern Moselle Franconian) nose


Stroß

Stroß f (plural Stroße, diminutive Strößje or Sträßche)

Stroße (plural)
Strößje (diminutive)
Sträßche (diminutive)
Strooß (alternative alternative)

From Middle High German strāze (also as strōze, strouze), from Old High German strāza, from Proto-West Germanic *strātu (“street”), an early borrowing from Late Latin strāta. Cognate to Dutch straat, English street, German Straße, Hunsrik Stros.


Woot

Woot n (plural Wööt or Wööder, diminutive Wöötche)

Wööt (plural)
Wööder (plural)
Wöötche (diminutive)
Wort (alternative Moselle-Franconian Ripuarian dialectal)

From Old High German *word, northern variant of wort, from Proto-Germanic *wurdą, from Proto-Indo-European *wr̥dʰh₁om.

Hä hät der janzen Ovend kee Woot jesat.


Ääpelschlot

Ääpelschlot m or f (plural Ääpelschlote)

/ˈɛːpəlˌʃlɔːt/

Würschjer ha’ mer er keen mieh, ävver du kanns noch Ääpelschlot hann.

We don’t have any more sausages, but you can have some more potato salad.


Mösch

Mösch f (plural Mösche, diminutive Möschelche)

Mösche (plural)
Möschelche (diminutive)
Mesch (alternative)

From Latin musciō, derived from musca. Compare Luxembourgish Mësch, Dutch mus.

Wie kütt die Mösch, die Mösch, die Mösch
 Bei uns en de Köch?
 Un setz sich medden op der Desch,
 Die Mösch, die Mösch, die Mösch!
 Wat well die en dä Köch?
 En Mösch hööt en der Bösch!
 Och, wenn se doch bluß wiggerflöch,
 Die Mösch, die Mösch, die Mösch!

1931, “Die Mösch”performed by Willi Ostermann:

How does that sparrow, sparrow, sparrow
 Get into our kitchen?
 And it sits down in the middle of the table,
 That sparrow, sparrow, sparrow!
 What does it want in this kitchen?
 A sparrow belongs in the forest!
 Oh, if it only flew away,
 That sparrow, sparrow, sparrow!


Foß

Foß m (plural Föß or Feß, diminutive Fößje or Feßche)

Föß (plural)
Feß (plural)
Fößje (diminutive)
Feßche (diminutive)
Fuß (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German fuoȥ, from Proto-West Germanic *fōt, from Proto-Germanic *fōts, from Proto-Indo-European *pṓds.

Lo’ mer heemjohn, ich hann kaal Föß.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) foot (lower part of the leg)


Zieh

Zieh m or f (plural Ziehe or Zieh, diminutive Ziehche)

Ziehe (plural)
Zieh (plural)
Ziehche (diminutive)
Ziehn (alternative)

From Middle High German zēhe, from Old High German zēha, from Proto-Germanic *taihwǭ (“toe”), from Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ- (“to point out”).


Hemb

head

Hemb n (plural Hemder, diminutive Hembche)

Hemder (plural)
Hembche (diminutive)
Himb (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Himd (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German hemidi, from Proto-Germanic *hamiþiją.


Ledder

From Middle High German leder, from Old High German ledar, from Proto-West Germanic *leþr, from Proto-Germanic *leþrą.

Läher (alternative Ripuarian)
Läder (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Leader (alternative Moselle-Franconian)


Ledder

Ledder f (plural Leddere, diminutive Ledderche)

Leddere (plural)
Ledderche (diminutive)
Leejer (alternative Ripuarian)
Leeder (alternative)
Lääder (alternative)
Leider (alternative)

From Middle High German leiter, from Old High German *hleidara, northern variant of hleitara, from Proto-West Germanic *hlaidriju.


Himb

Himb n (plural Himmer or Himber, diminutive Himbche)

Himmer (plural)
Himber (plural)
Himbche (diminutive)
Himd (alternative)
Hemb (alternative)

From Old High German hemidi, from Proto-Germanic *hamiþiją. While Ripuarian Hemb as well as Luxembourgish Hiem look more regular, the predominant Moselle Franconian -i- seems difficult to explain, unless one were to postulate an Old High German variant *himidi or possibly *hēmidi.

(many dialects of Moselle Franconian) shirt


Booch

Booch n (plural Bööcher or Beecher, diminutive Bööchelche or Beechelche)

Bööcher (plural)
Beecher (plural)
Bööchelche (diminutive)
Beechelche (diminutive)
Boch (alternative)
Buch (alternative)

Der Pitter well Abitur maache? Dä hät doch em Levve noch kee Booch en de Häng jekräje!

Peter wants to get a university-entrance diploma? He hasn’t got his hands on a book in all his life!

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) book


Booch

Booche (plural)
Boch (alternative)
Bööch (alternative)
Buch (alternative)
Biech (alternative)

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) beech (tree)


Rögge

Rögge m (plural Rögge, diminutive Röggelche)

Rögge (plural)
Röggelche (diminutive)
Röck (alternative)
Reck (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Regge (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German ruggi, from Proto-Germanic *hrugjaz.

Manchmol sinn ich uns hück noch stonn
 Op der Südbröck mem Rögge noh Bonn,
 Un ich frooch mich: Wore mir einfach ze jong?

Sometimes I still see us standing there today
 On the South Bridge with our backs towards Bonn [i.e. facing Cologne],
 And I wonder: Were we simply too young?


Röggelche

Diminutive of extinct *Rock (“rye”), for which Central Franconian uses Koon.


Röggelche

(Ripuarian) diminutive of Rögge (“back”)


Koon

Koon n (plural Kööner, diminutive Köönche)

Kööner (plural)
Köönche (diminutive)
Kor (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Korn (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German korn, from Proto-West Germanic *korn, from Proto-Germanic *kurną, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm.

(Ripuarian, countable) grain; seed; particle; small object


Enk

Enger (plural)
Enkche (diminutive)
Eng (alternative)
Enn (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
End (alternative rare)

From Old High German endi, northern variant of enti, with Ripuarian velarisation. The final -k is unetymological and due to analogy.


Stöck

Stöck n (plural Stöcker or Stöck, diminutive Stöckelche)

Stöcker (plural)
Stöck (plural)
Stöckelche (diminutive)
Steck (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German stücke, from Old High German stucki, from Proto-West Germanic *stukkī.

(Ripuarian, plural Stöck or Stöcker) general counter word, usually not translated in English


Stöck

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.


Peng

From Old High German pīna, from Latin poena.

Saach mer drei Saache, die wiehdonn! — ? — Meng Peng, deng Peng on em Schäng seng Peng.

Tell me three things that hurt! — ? — My pain, your pain, and John’s pain, too. (Humorous example of “Ripuarian Chinese”.)


Fonz

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Fonz f (plural Fonze, diminutive Fönzje)

Probably related with German Fotze, Dutch vot, and hence a doublet of Central Franconian Fott (“butt, arse”). The -n- may be due to mere sporadic nasalisation, but may also stem from Old High German funs (“willing, eager, excited”). Compare Old English fūs.

inh

(chiefly Ripuarian, vulgar) pussy; vulva


Prumm

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Prumm f (plural Prumme, diminutive Prümmche)

Prumme (plural)
Prümmche (diminutive)
Proum (alternative)
Promm (alternative)

From Old High German *prūma, a northern variant of pfrūma. Compare Dutch pruim, German Pflaume. The sense “vulva” derives from a certain outward resemblance, as might be understood by comparing the yellow plum in the picture at the side.

(Ripuarian) plum; usually restricted to the round, firm sorts; sometimes including longer, softer sorts


Frönd

Frönd m (plural Frönn or Frönde, diminutive Fröndche)

Frönn (plural)
Frönde (plural)
Fröndche (diminutive)
Fründ (alternative Kölsch)
Frönk (alternative Ripuarian Western dialectal)
Vrönk (alternative Ripuarian Western dialectal)
Frend (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Frind (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Freind (alternative)

Hunsrik: Freind

Luxembourgish: Frënd

From Middle High German vrünt, an early contraction of vriunt, which see.

Hä es ene jode Frönd vo’ mir.

Do häs Pech, et jeiht der Berch erav; verjesse es all dat, wat do besher jeschaff.
 Minsche, die dich vürher jot jekannt, jevven dir noch nit ens mieh de Hand.
 Jetz sühs do, wä met Rääch sich Fründ jenannt.

1984, “Echte Fründe”performed by De Höhner:

You’re out of luck, things are going downhill; forgotten is all you once achieved.
 People who used to know you well don’t even shake hands with you anymore.
 Now you see who rightfully called himself a friend.


Jaade

Jaade m (plural Jääde or Jaade or Jaadens, diminutive Jäätche)

Jääde (plural)
Jaade (plural)
Jaadens (plural)
Jäätche (diminutive)
Jaat (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Gaade (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Gaarde (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Goarde (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Goart (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

Hunsrik: Gaarde

Luxembourgish: Gaart

From Middle High German *garde, northern variant of garte.

Der Pitter litt em Jaade.


Pääd

Pääd n (plural Pääd, diminutive Päädche)

Pääd (plural)
Päädche (diminutive)
Perd (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Päärd (alternative)

From Old High German *perit, northern variant of pfarifrit, from Latin paraverēdus.

Häs de ald ens op enem Pääd jesäße?

Hondertfoffzig Mann un en Fahn vürrendraan,
 Un de Musik fängk mem Schneewalzer aan.
 En ener Kutsch met zwei Pääd setz der Künning dren un sät:
 „Piff, paff, der Vuggel moss erav!“
 Jrön, jrön, jrön steiht dä Schötzejonge schön!

1982, “Schötzefess”performed by Bläck Fööss:

A hundred and fifty men and a flag up front,
 And the band plays the Schneewalzer.
 In a carriage with two horses sits the Schützenfest champion and says:
 „Boom, bang, the bird must fall!“
 Green, green, green looks nice on the riflemen!


Ohs

Ohs m (plural Ohße, diminutive Öhsje or Ähsche)

Ohße (plural)
Öhsje (diminutive)
Ähsche (diminutive)
Ochs (alternative)

Hunsrik: Ochs

Luxembourgish: Uess

From Middle High German ohse, from Old High German ohso, from Proto-West Germanic *ohsō, from Proto-Germanic *uhsô, from Proto-Indo-European *uksḗn.

etymon

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) ox (castrated male bovine animal)

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) bull (any male bovine animal)


Bruut

Brüüt (plural)
Brüü (plural)
Bruck (alternative)
Brock (alternative)
Brutt (alternative)
Braut (alternative)

(westernmost and northernmost Ripuarian) bride


Ferke

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Ferke n (plural Ferke, diminutive Ferkelche)

Ferke (plural)
Ferkelche (diminutive)
Firke (alternative)

Cognate with Dutch varken. This is generally regarded an original diminutive, in which case we expect Central Franconian *Ferche. However, if the word had been contracted early on, the cluster -rk- would have remained unshifted. Compare German Ferkel, whose -k- has been considered secondary and irregular, but might be due to the same reason. Alternatively, the Ripuarian form could be an unshifted relict (compare söke, etc.).


Vuggel

Vuggel (plural Vüjjel or Vijjel, diminutive Vüjjelche or Vijjelche)

Vüjjel (plural)
Vijjel (plural)
Vüjjelche (diminutive)
Vijjelche (diminutive)
Vugel (alternative)
Vuul (alternative)

Hunsrik: Foghel

From Middle High German fugel, from Old High German fugal, variant of fogal without a-mutation.

(Ripuarian, much of Moselle Franconian) bird


Kallev

Kallev n (plural Kalver or Kälver, diminutive Källevje)

Kalver (plural)
Kälver (plural)
Källevje (diminutive)
Kalv (alternative)
Kauv (alternative)
Kallef (alternative)

From Old High German calf, northern variant of kalb, from Proto-Germanic *kalbaz.


Hoor

Hoor n (plural Hoor, diminutive Höörche or Häärche)

Hoor (plural)
Höörche (diminutive)
Häärche (diminutive)

From Middle High German hār, from Old High German hār.


Frooch

Froge (plural)
Frog (alternative)
Froo (alternative)

From Old High German frāga. Cognate with German Frage.


Frooch

Frööch (plural)
Frocht (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Fruht (alternative)
Fruucht (alternative)

From Old High German fruht, from Latin fructus. Cognate with German Frucht.

(Ripuarian, countable) fruit (sweet edible part of a plant)


Lahs

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian, dated) salmon (fish)


Sallem

From Old High German salmo, from Latin salmo. Compare Dutch zalm.

(chiefly along Rhine and Moselle) salmon (fish)


Pank

Pank n (plural Pänger or Panger, diminutive Pängche)

Pänger (plural)
Panger (plural)
Pängche (diminutive)
Pand (alternative Eastern Moselle-Franconian Ripuarian also)

From Old High German *pand, northern variant of phant, with Ripuarian velarization. For the sense “delimited area (of land)” compare Dutch pand (“building, premises”). For the phonetic development compare Hand.

(Ripuarian, now chiefly western dialects) pledge; security; deposit; pawn

(Ripuarian, dated) delimited area or surface (chiefly of land, hence: parcel)


Jott

From Middle High German got, from Old High German god, northern variant of got, cot.


Famillich

Hä hät en en rich Famillich enjehierot.


Krütz

Krütz n (plural Krützer, diminutive Krützje)

Krützer (plural)
Krützje (diminutive)
Kröx (alternative Eastern Ripuarian)
Kreiz (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

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


Essel

Essel m (plural Essele, diminutive Esselche)

Essele (plural)
Esselche (diminutive)
Äsel (alternative)
Esel (alternative)

From Middle High German esel, from Old High German esil, from late Proto-West Germanic *asil, which is borrowed from Late Latin asellus.

Nen Essel schängk der ander Lankuhr.

A donkey calls another long-ear. (A saying.)


Zeck

Zegge (plural)
Zick (alternative Kölsch)
Ziet (alternative)
Zitt (alternative)
Zeit (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German *zīd, northern variant of zīt, from Proto-Germanic *tīdiz, from Proto-Indo-European *déh₂itis, with Ripuarian velarisation.

De Zeck steht net stell.


Zeck

Zecke (plural)
Zegge (plural)
Zäck (alternative)
Zech (alternative)
Zääch (alternative)

From Middle High German zecke, from Old High German zecko, zehho, from Proto-West Germanic *tīkō (“tick”). Cognate with German Zecke.


Seck

Segge (plural)
Sick (alternative Kölsch)
Sie (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Siet (alternative)
Sitt (alternative)
Sidde (alternative)
Seit (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German *sīda, northern variant of sīta, from Proto-Germanic *sīdǭ, with Ripuarian velarisation.

Jank op Seck!

Ich hann höck mieh wie hondert Segge jelesse.

I’ve read more than a hundred pages today.


Kreech

Kreech (plural)
Kreeje (plural)
Kreeg (alternative)
Kriech (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German kriec. Note that in Ripuarian the verb krijje (“to get”) has West Germanic *ī, while Kreech and kreeje (“to make war”) have West Germanic *ē. Otherwise both forms usually show the same vocalism (*ī in Low German and Dutch, *ē in High German).

Du häs em Kreech fass mem Levve bezahlt,
 Doch se hann dich widder opjestallt.
 Die Zick, die mäht och vür dir nit halt.
 Hück häs de Ecke, die sinn jrau un kalt.

You [i.e. Cologne] almost paid with your life during the war,
 But they put you back upon your feet.
 Time spares nothing, not even you.
 Today you have places that are grey and cold.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) war


Jeld

From Middle High German gelt, from Old High German *geld, northern variant of gelt, from Proto-West Germanic *geld.

Et allerschünste Mädche en ene janze Bühel voll Jeld,
 Ja, dat hat dä Mann jefählt! Ja, dat hat dä Mann jefählt!

1976, “'t Retsept”, in Kirchröatsjer Sjpetsiejalietete, performed by Nico Ploum, Kerkrade Ripuarian noted here in German-based orthography:

The prettiest girl of all and a whole bag of money,
 That's what this man needs! That's what this man needs!


Böggel

Böggel m (plural Böggele, diminutive Böggelche)

Böggele (plural)
Böggelche (diminutive)
Büggel (alternative)
Bühel (alternative)
Büüdel (alternative)
Bierel (alternative)
Beidel (alternative)

From Old High German būdil, northern variant of būtil, with Ripuarian velarisation.

(most dialects of Ripuarian) pouch; bag; purse; wallet

(same dialects) derogatory term for a man


Kend

Kend n (plural Kenner or Kender, diminutive Kendche)

Kenner (plural)
Kender (plural)
Kendche (diminutive)
Kengk (alternative)
Kenk (alternative)
Kond (alternative)
Könd (alternative)

From Old High German *kind, northern variant of kint.

(most of Moselle Franconian, parts of Ripuarian) child


Rend

Rend n (plural Renner or Render, diminutive Rendche)

Renner (plural)
Render (plural)
Rendche (diminutive)
Renk (alternative)
Rond (alternative)
Rönd (alternative)

From Old High German rind, from Proto-Germanic *hrinþaz.

(most of Moselle Franconian, parts of Ripuarian) cow; bull; (head of) cattle


Krock

Krock n (no plural, diminutive Kröckche)

Kröckche (diminutive)
Krout (alternative)
Kruck (alternative)

From Old High German *krūd, northern variant of krūt, with Ripuarian velarisation.

(Ripuarian) any small leafy or grass-like plant

(Ripuarian) thick syrup, particularly from sugarbeets


Bross

Bross f (plural Bröss, diminutive Brössje)

Bröss (plural)
Brössje (diminutive)
Brost (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Bosch (alternative Ripuarian archaic)

From Old High German brust. The native form in most or all Ripuarian dialects is Bosch from *burst or rather *borst with metathesis (compare Dutch borst). The form Brost, Bross spread northward under the influence of standard German Brust.


Pöll

Pöll f (plural Pölle, diminutive Pöllche)

Pölle (plural)
Pöllche (diminutive)
Pell (alternative)

Uncertain, though a relation with Latin pullus (“chick”) is very suggestive. The feminine would point to pulla (“young hen”), but since hens are of much greater interest in poultry keeping than roosters, a development “chicken” → “hen” is always likely. The phonetically exact form (Middle High German *pülle) could be derived from the Latin masculine plural pullī. Romance origin is also suggested by the restriction to western dialects. At any rate the same word as Luxembourgish Pëll (“young hen”), and Dutch pul (“young duck”) from early modern Dutch pulle (“young hen”).

Vir haue hei ene Hohnderstall met alles staatse Pölle.
 Do fählet noch ene forsche Hahn, däm saue vir wall wölle.

1976, “Der Haan”performed by Nico Ploum, Kerkrade Ripuarian cited here in German-based orthography:

We have a chickenhouse here with all-handsome pullets.
What’s missing is a sturdy rooster, that’s one we would like.

(western and central Ripuarian) pullet; young hen

Dröm seng ich hei vür alle Lüü, besongesch vür de Pölle:

From the same song, punning on the former sense

Therefore I’m singing here for all people, especially the chicks:
Celebrate carnival, have fun, and just leave people gabble!

Viert Fastelovend, maht üch Spass en losst de Lüü mar lölle!

(the same dialects, mildly vulgar) young, usually attractive girl; chick


Dursch

From Old High German durst, thurst, from Proto-Germanic *þurstuz.

Doosch (alternative)
Duuscht (alternative)

Ich bestellen e Jlas Weng on en Fläsch Wasser jäje der Dursch.

I’ll order a glass of wine and a bottle of water to quench my thirst.


Jlas

Jlas n (plural Jläser, diminutive Jläsje)

Jläser (plural)
Jläsje (diminutive)
Glas (alternative)

From Middle High German glas, from Old High German glas, gles, from Proto-West Germanic *glas, from Proto-Germanic *glasą, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰel- (“to shine, glimmer, glow”).


Nohber

From Old High German nāhgibūro, from Proto-Germanic *nēhwagabūrô.


Pief

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Pief f (plural Piefe, diminutive Piefje)

Piefe (plural)
Piefje (diminutive)
Peif (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German *pīfa, northern variant of phīfa, from Vulgar Latin *pīpa.


Peif

Peif f (plural Peife, diminutive Peifche)

Peife (plural)
Peifche (diminutive)
Pief (alternative)

(Moselle Franconian) pipe (smoking implement)


Birk

From Middle High German birke, from Old High German birka, from Proto-West Germanic *birkijā.


Hätz

Hätz n (plural Hätze or Hätzer, diminutive Hätzje or Hätzche)

Hätze (plural)
Hätzer (plural)
Hätzje (diminutive)
Hätzche (diminutive)
Hetz (alternative)
Hatz (alternative Ripuarian)
Herz (alternative Ripuarian variant)
Hearz (alternative Moselle-Franconian variant)

From Middle High German hërze, from Old High German herza.

Wo der een et Hätz hät, hät der ander ene Steen.

Where some people have a heart, others have a stone. (proverb)


Plooch

Plooch m (plural Plööch or Pleech or Plee)

Plööch (plural)
Pleech (plural)
Plee (plural)
Pluuch (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German pluoch, from Old High German *pluog, northern variant of phluog, from Proto-West Germanic *plōg.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) plough, plow


Plooch

Ploge (plural)
Plo (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German plāge, from Latin plaga.

(Ripuarian) an epidemic of any disease, not necessarily dangerous

(Ripuarian) a nuisance, something strenuous


Sock

Sock f or m (plural Söck or Socke, diminutive Söckche or Seckche)

Söck (plural)
Socke (plural)
Söckche (diminutive)
Seckche (diminutive)

From Middle High German soc, from Old High German soc, from Latin soccus.


Stromp

Stromp m (plural Strömp or Stremp, diminutive Strömpche or Strempche)

Strömp (plural)
Stremp (plural)
Strömpche (diminutive)
Strempche (diminutive)

From German Strumpf with adaptation to the Central Franconian phonetic system, possibly via Rhine Franconian dialects, at any rate spread from the south northward.


Botz

Botz f (plural Botze, diminutive Bötzje)

Botze (plural)
Bötzje (diminutive)
Box (alternative)


Baam

From Middle High German boum, from Old High German boum, from Proto-West Germanic *baum, from Proto-Germanic *baumaz.

Baum (alternative)
Boum (alternative)
Boom (alternative dialectal)


Lich

Liche (plural)
Liech (alternative Ripuarian dialectal)
Leich (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German līch, from Old High German līh.

(most dialects of Ripuarian) corpse (dead human body)


Fleech

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) fly (insect)


Meck

Meck f (plural Megge, diminutive Meggelche)

Megge (plural)
Meggelche (diminutive)
Möck (alternative)

(all of Moselle Franconian) a thin-bodied flying insect, particularly a mosquito, also a crane fly, gnat, or midge


Möck

Möck f (plural Mögge, diminutive Möggelche)

Mögge (plural)
Möggelche (diminutive)
Meck (alternative)

(Ripuarian) a thin-bodied flying insect, particularly a mosquito, also a crane fly, gnat, or midge


Wedder

Wedder n (no plural, diminutive Wedderche)

Wedderche (diminutive)
Wäher (alternative Ripuarian)
Wäder (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Weader (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Old High German *wedar, northern variant of wetar.

Bei däm Wedder john ich net vür de Dür.

I won’t set foot out the door in this weather.


Pooz

Pooz f (plural Pooze, diminutive Pöözje)

Pooze (plural)
Pöözje (diminutive)
Porz (alternative)
Port (alternative)

From a variant of Old High German phorta, from Latin porta. The word was borrowed around the time of the end of the consonant shift, so the -t- was generally not affected by it while the p- still was (in those dialects that have a shift p- → ph-). The Ripuarian form with -z- may be due to the fact that the consonant shift reached this region somewhat later, or it may mean that the Latin word had been borrowed there earlier.


Kruck

From Old High German *krūd, northern variant of krūt.

(Kölsch) any small leafy or grass-like plant

(Kölsch) thick syrup, particularly from sugarbeets


Scholder

Scholdere (plural)
Scheller (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)
Scholler (alternative)
Schooder (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Schoher (alternative Ripuarian Western)

From Old High German *sculdra, *sculdira, northern variants of scultra, scultera, from Proto-West Germanic *skuldru. The -d- is probably not preserved from the original form, but was at some point reintroduced in Scholler as a gliding sound between the two liquids.

Wä alles, wenn ’t dir klapp, hinger dir herrennt,
Ding Scholder klopp, wä dich nit all hofiert,
Sich, ohne rut ze wääde, dinge Fründ nennt
Un dich daachs drop janz einfach ignoriert.

1981, “Verdamp lang her” (1:10 from the start), in Klaus Heuser, Wolfgang Niedecken (lyrics), Für usszeschnigge!, performed by BAP, Munich: EMI Electrola:

All those who’ll dangle after you when things work out for you,
Slap your shoulder, all those who’ll adulate you,
Who’ll call themselves friends of yours without blushing
And simply ignore you the very next day.


Muur

Muur f (plural Muure, diminutive Müürche)

Muure (plural)
Müürche (diminutive)
Mauer (alternative Moselle-Franconian)
Mouer (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German mūre, from Old High German mūra, from Proto-West Germanic *mūrā, borrowed from Latin mūrus, from Proto-Italic *moiros, from Proto-Indo-European *mey- + *-rós.


Fott

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Fott f (plural Fotte or Fött, diminutive Föttche)

Fotte (plural)
Fött (plural)
Föttche (diminutive)

Related with Dutch vot (“buttocks”), German Fotze (“female genitalia”), which see for more. Both of these senses are attested alongside throughout continental West Germanic. It is unknown which is original, though it is often considered more likely for a word meaning “buttocks” to be used as a euphemism for “vulva, vagina” than vice versa.

Jrau ding Hoor un su bont di Kleid.
Du häs Knies en der Bud, doch de Näjele rut.
Jrell jeschmink un de Fott jet breit.
E Jlöck, datt dir dat all jot steiht!

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

Grey is your [i.e. Cologne's] hair and so colourful your dress.
You have quarrel at home, but your nails are red.
Glaring make-up and the butt a little wide.
It's lucky that all of that becomes you so well!


Hunnig

From Middle High German honec, from Old High German honag or apparently *hunag with lack of a-mutation, perhaps a compromise form between forms with regular -o- and forms with -ü- from Old High German *hunig, compare Middle High German hünic, all ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *hunag.


Blom

Blom f (plural Blome, diminutive Blömche or Blemche)

Blome (plural)
Blömche (diminutive)
Blemche (diminutive)
Blum (alternative southern-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German bluome, from Proto-Germanic *blōmô.

Die hät nit vill, es nit besonders rich,
 Un hät noch lang nit jede Middaach Fleisch om Desch.
 Nur ei Deil jitt et, wo se Freud draan hät:
 Dat sinn die Blömcher op ihrem Finsterbrett.

She doesn’t have a lot, she’s not very rich,
 And she’s far from having meat on her table every day.
 There’s just one thing that gives her joy:
 It’s the flowers one her windowsill.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) flower


Muhr

Muhr f (plural Murre or Muhre, diminutive Mührche)

Murre (plural)
Muhre (plural)
Mührche (diminutive)
Muhrt (alternative)

From Old High German moraha or apparently a variant *murha.

Pääd äße jään Murre.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) carrot


Ääts

Ääts f (plural Äätse, diminutive Äätsje)


Schatte

The expected outcome of Middle High German schade would be *šāt or *šāde. Schatte can only be derived from the variant schatwe, from earlier schatewe, *schadewe. Alternatively, it could be borrowed from German Schatten. This seems less likely, but might have occurred in order to avoid homophony with Schade (“damage”). In any case, eventually from Old High German scato, *scado.

Schät (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western variant)
Scheat (alternative Moselle-Franconian Western variant)

Onger däm Boom derhenge kanns de dich en der Schatte setze.

You can go sit in the shade under that tree over there.


Scheif

Scheif f (plural Scheiwe, diminutive Scheifche)

Scheiwe (plural)
Scheifche (diminutive)
Schiev (alternative Ripuarian)

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

(Moselle Franconian) disc, slice, pane (flat piece or surface)


Senn

Senn (plural)
Sonn (alternative)
Sönn (alternative)

From Middle High German and Old High German sin, from Proto-West Germanic *sinn.


Senn

Senn (plural)
Senne (plural)
Söng (alternative)
Sönd (alternative)
Sönn (alternative)

From Middle High German sunde, from Old High German *sunda, northern variant of sunta.


Kirch

Kirch f (plural Kirche, diminutive Kirchelche)

Kirche (plural)
Kirchelche (diminutive)
Kerch (alternative)

From Middle High German kirche, from Old High German kirihha, from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā.

Dä jeht net ens op Chressdaach on Pooschdaach en de Kirch.

He doesn’t go to church even on Christmas and Easter Sunday.


Pooschdaach

/ˈpɔːʃˌdaːx/

From Poosche (“Easter”) + Daach (“day”). The former word is obsolete except in this compound and in Pooschei (“Easter egg”).


Poosche

From Middle High German pāschen, originally a plural form, from Latin pascha. This word spread in the earlier Middle Ages from the diocese of Cologne to Dutch (compare Dutch Pasen) and Low German (compare Westphalian Paosken). In Central Franconian itself it soon came under pressure from the descendants of Old High German ōstarūn, which are otherwise general in High German.


Uustere

From Middle High German ôstre, from Old High German *Ôstra, from Proto-Germanic *Austrǭ.
The word is native in most of Moselle Franconian. The more traditional Ripuarian word is Poosche, which is now restricted to a few compounds. Cognate with Hunsrik Oostre.


Chress

From Middle High German kristen, from Old High German kristāni, from Latin Christiānus.


Chressfess

Chressfess n (plural Chressfess or Chressfeste)

Chressfess (plural)
Chressfeste (plural)
Chrestfest (alternative)

Chress + Fess; compare German Christfest.


Ling

(Kölsch) rope of minor to medium thickness; cord


Leech

Leech n (plural Leechter, diminutive Leechje)

Leechter (plural)
Leechje (diminutive)
Liëht (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Leht (alternative Ripuarian Western)
Leecht (alternative)
Lecht (alternative)
Liecht (alternative most-of-Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German lieht, from Proto-Germanic *leuhtą. Though Middle High German -ie- yields Ripuarian -ee-, the form is due to early shortening, lowering, and secondary lengthening (cf. leech with Middle High German -ī-).

Sulang beim Lommi die Leechter noch brenne,
 Sulang ne Funk weiß, wie Stippefott jeiht,
 Sulang dä Pitter noch schleiht,
 Dä Speimanes noch speit:
 Jo, su lang stirv dä Kölsche nit us.

2015, “Sulang die Leechter noch brenne”performed by Miljö:

As long as the lights are still on at Lommi’s [pub in Deutz],
 As long as the Funken know their traditional dance,
 As long as the big bell of the Cologne Cathedral still chimes,
 As long as Speimanes still spits:
 Yeah, so long the Colognians won’t die out.

(central and eastern Ripuarian, Kölsch) light


Klock

Klock f (plural Klocke, diminutive Klöckelche or Klöckche or Kläckelche or Kläckche)

Klocke (plural)
Klöckelche (diminutive)
Klöckche (diminutive)
Kläckelche (diminutive)
Kläckche (diminutive)
Glock (alternative)
Jlock (alternative)

From Old High German clocca, byform of glocca. Compare Luxembourgish Klack, German Glocke, Dutch klok, English clock.

(Ripuarian, parts of Moselle Franconian) bell


Zang

From Middle High German zange, from Proto-Germanic *tangō.

Nemms de zom Bieropmaache de Zäng odder de Zang?

Do you use your teeth or pliers to open a beer bottle?


Rauh

From Middle High German rāwe, from Old High German rāwa, ablaut variant of ruowa, from Proto-West Germanic *rōu, from which the Moselle Franconian forms and German Ruhe.

(Ripuarian) stillness, calm, rest, ease, tranquility, silence (absence of stress, movement, and/or sound)


Leng

Leng f (plural Lenge, diminutive Lengche)

Lenge (plural)
Lengche (diminutive)
Ling (alternative)
Lein (alternative)

Ich hann dä Struch met ener Leng fassjebonge, datt e net ömfällt.

I’ve bound that shrub with a cord, so it won’t fall over.

(Ripuarian) rope of minor to medium thickness; cord


Knodde

Knodde m (plural Knodde, diminutive Knöttche)

Knodde (plural)
Knöttche (diminutive)
Knode (alternative)
Knot (alternative)
Knott (alternative)


Knöddel

Knöddel m (plural Knöddele, diminutive Knöddelche)

Knöddele (plural)
Knöddelche (diminutive)
Knüddel (alternative)

From Middle High German knödel, from Old High German *knodila, diminutive of knodo (“knot”), whence Central Franconian Knodde, ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *knuttô (“knot”).
Compare German Knödel. The Central Franconian form was partly merged with related but distinct Knuddel (“clump”).


Knuddel

Knuddel m (plural Knuddele, diminutive Knüddelche or Kniddelche)

Knuddele (plural)
Knüddelche (diminutive)
Kniddelche (diminutive)
Knüddel (alternative)
Kniddel (alternative)
Knoddel (alternative)

From Middle High German *knudel, western variant of knutel, knütel, from Old High German chnutil, ultimately from the root of Knoten (“knot”).
The word means “thick branch” in general Middle High German (compare German Knüttel (“club, cudgel”)), but does not have this sense in Central Franconian, which uses Knöppel and Klöppel instead.


Knudel

Knudel f (plural Knudele, diminutive Knüdelche or Knidelche)

Knudele (plural)
Knüdelche (diminutive)
Knidelche (diminutive)
Knidel (alternative)

Uncertain. The word is, of course, comparable to synonymous German Knödel, but Middle High German knödel yields Moselle Franconian *Knedel, which is very rare at most, and Ripuarian Knöddel, which means “knot, clump”. Knudel, Knidel require Middle High German long vowels (i.e. *knōdel and *knœdel, respectively). Moreover, the gender does not match.
It cannot be ruled out that the word for “dumpling” was borrowed from southern dialects regarding the fact that this dish is more typical of southern German cuisine than northern German. On the other hand, the diversity of interrelated kn-words (compare Knodde, Knöddel, Knuddel, Knöppel, etc.) makes a neat distinction between individual forms impossible and provides for constant innovation.


Scheff

Scheff n (plural Scheffer or Scheffe or Scheff, diminutive Scheffje or Scheffche)

Scheffer (plural)
Scheffe (plural)
Scheff (plural)
Scheffje (diminutive)
Scheffche (diminutive)
Schoff (alternative)
Schöff (alternative)

Hunsrik: Schiff

Luxembourgish: Schëff

From Middle High German schif, from Old High German skif, from Proto-West Germanic *skip, from Proto-Germanic *skipą, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *skey-, possibly from *sek- + *-éyti. The Middle High German variant schef (with a-mutation) would have yielded /ʃɛf/.


Schnieder

head

Schnieder m (plural Schnieder or Schniedere)

Schnieder (plural)
Schniedere (plural)
Schnegger (alternative Ripuarian rare variant)
Schnegder (alternative Ripuarian rare variant)
Schneider (alternative Moselle-Franconian)

From Middle High German snīder. The expected velarization (as in schnegge) did not establish itself; compare luuter.

Nemm nur, wat kütt, sät off dä Aal, un bes nit su schenant!
 Et bruch jo keine Jraf zo sinn, och keine Leutenant.
 Ov hä e Pössjen aan der Poss, ’ne Fuhrparkadmiral.
 Un wann et och ’ne Schnieder es, dat bliev sich janz ejal!

1910, “Et Stina muss ’ne Mann han”, Willi Ostermann (lyrics), Emil Palm (music)performed by Bläck Fööss, published 1985:

Just take whatever you get, the old man often says, and don't be so shy!
 It doesn't have to be an earl, nor a lieutenant.
 If he has an appointment with the post, if he's an admiral of the car park fleet.
 And even if he were a tailor, it really doesn't matter at all!


Bühel

Bühel m (plural Bühele, diminutive Bühelche)

Bühele (plural)
Bühelche (diminutive)
Büüdel (alternative)
Büggel (alternative)
Böggel (alternative)
Bierel (alternative)
Beidel (alternative)

From Old High German būdil, northern variant of būtil.

(westernmost Ripuarian) pouch; bag; purse; wallet

(same dialects) derogatory term for a man


Aff

Hunsrik: Aff

Luxembourgish: Af

From Middle High German affe, from Old High German affo, from Proto-West Germanic *apō, from Proto-Germanic *apô.

etymon

Aaf (alternative)
Aap (alternative Ripuarian)

Willst Dau, Hannes, noh Bresilje ziehe, / Wo Deich Schlange unn die Affe kriehe? / Ach, dann stehrbt gewiß Dei Liesekett!

1874, Peter Joseph Rottmann, Gedichte in Hunsrücker Mundart, page 3:

(eastern Moselle Franconian, also Moselle Franconian / Hunsrückisch) ape; monkey


Schlang

Hunsrik: Schlang

Luxembourgish: Schlaang

From Middle High German slange, from Old High German slango.

(Moselle Franconian, Hunsrückisch) snake


Wiev

head

Wiev n (plural Wiever, diminutive Wievje)

Wiever (plural)
Wievje (diminutive)
Weif (alternative)
Wiff (alternative)

From Middle High German wīf, northern variant of wīp, from Proto-West Germanic *wīb.


Desch

Desch m (plural Desche, diminutive Deschelche or Deschje)

Desche (plural)
Deschelche (diminutive)
Deschje (diminutive)


Leich

From Middle High German leich, from Old High German līh.

Lich (alternative dialectal)
Liech (alternative Ripuarian dialectal)

(Moselle Franconian) corpse (dead human body)


Jood

From Middle High German golt, from Old High German gold, from Proto-West Germanic *golþ.

Joold (alternative)
Jold (alternative)
Gold (alternative)

Völl Stäre en völl Sonneschien, völl Jood en och völl Jeld,
 Krestall, Brillante en Rubin, dat jitt et op de Welt.
 Doch jeder Mann, ov jonk ov oot, dat alles messe kann,
 En denkt: Wat notzt mich Tonne Jood, wenn ich jeng Mockel hann?

1952, “Ja, die mokkel”, in Kirchröatsjer Sjpetsiejalietete, performed by Nico Ploum, Kerkrade Ripuarian noted here in German-based orthography:

Lots of stars and lots of sunshine, lots of gold and lots of money,
 Crystal, brilliants and ruby, all that you find in the world.
 But every man, whether young or old, can do without all that,
 And thinks: What use are tons of gold if I don't have a chubby girl?


Räjeboge

Räjeboge (plural)
Räänboge (alternative)
Räjebohe (alternative)
Rääbohe (alternative)
Räänbohe (alternative)

/ˈʀɛːjəˌbɔːɣə/

From Middle High German regenboge, from Old High German reganbogo, from Proto-West Germanic *regnabogō.
The -n- of the first component was lost early on (at a stage when such loss was restricted to positions before non-alveolar consonants, as it still is in Luxembourgish). Therefore, the word did not undergo the later contraction from *Räjen to Rään.


Woh

Woh f (plural Wohe, diminutive Wähelche)


Hok

Hok m (plural Hök or Häk or Hoke, diminutive Hökche or Häkche)

Hök (plural)
Häk (plural)
Hoke (plural)
Hökche (diminutive)
Häkche (diminutive)
Hooch (alternative)
Hoke (alternative)

Alteration of Hooch under influence of German Haken. See these for more.

(Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian, younger form) hook


Köbes

Ultimately from Latin Jacobus. Cognate to English Jacob, James, German Jakob. A common story explaining the second meaning is that it refers to pilgrims returning from travels to the grave of Saint Jacob, however it is more likely that it originally referred to a certain person who has been forgotten over time.

Dä Köbes mäht jään ene Wetz, es mänchmol jet spetz, doch immer aläät, un es et och spät.

The waiter likes to joke, he’s sometimes a bit sharp, but always lively, even when it is late. (Popular rhyme, given by Adam Wrede)

A waiter, especially the head waiter, in a traditional pub.


Maschin

Maschin f or n (plural Maschine, diminutive Maschinche)

Maschine (plural)
Maschinche (diminutive)
Maschien (alternative)
Masching (alternative)
Maschinn (alternative)

From French machine. For the neuter gender compare southern Dutch machien n.


Färv

Färve (plural)
Farv (alternative)
Farf (alternative)
Färf (alternative)

From Middle High German varwe, from Old High German farwa, from Proto-West Germanic *faru, with regular -ar- → -ęr- before a non-alveolar consonant; compare the same in Dutch verf.

Frös mich, wann ich zoletz e Beld jemolt hann.
 Ob mir e Leed tatsächlich jetz jenööch.
 Ob ich jetz do ben, wo ich henjewollt hann.
 Ob mer ming Färv op die Tour nit verdrüch.

1981, “Verdamp lang her”performed by BAP:

You ask me when I last painted a picture.
 If a song really suffices me now.
 If I am now where I wanted to be.
 If my paint won’t run dry this way. / If my colour won’t wither this way.

(central and western Ripuarian) colour; paint