I’m German and for fun, I was browsing through a list of old German words and their origins, when I found this gem.^ ^
Translation:
>Papperlapapp: This word has no explanation, no context and no origin. But it sounds wonderful.
Pronunciation: https://www.dwds.de/wb/papperlapapp
by Midnight1899
4 comments
Lol yes along with “firlefanz” a great word.
I think we’ll go for “poppycock” in english then..
Pff papperlapapp
Well, the link you provide does explain the origin of the word: it’s attested from the 18th century, and is a playful nonsense word derived from one of the first sounds of speech a baby learns.
Kluge’s etymological dictionary adds the detail that it’s thus related to “pappeln”, which means “to babble”, in the sense of mindless talking. It’s basically onomatopoeic.
r/famoseworte