Trifle
A trifle means something like "nothingness, trifle " and is usually a derogatory term for a certain matter or a certain event. A speaker using this term indicates that he considers the matter or event in question to be insignificant.
etymology
The term was first formed in the 17th century in the plural form Lappalien , namely as a mocking reproduction of words such as Personalalien , whereby the root of the word is formed from the word Lappen in the sense of rags . The Oeconomic Encyclopedia von Krünitz from 1858 writes: “It is formed from the German word Lappen and a Latin ending. Presumably it was used in joke in the former half-Latin times, and in several numbers it was said Lappalia, from which the present-day emerged in both endings. "
Example: "What appears to be a triviality to a man in freedom is of eminent importance in prison for the mental state of the prisoners." ( Kurt Tucholsky )
literature
- Kluge, Friedrich: Etymological dictionary of the German language. 23rd, expanded edition. 1999.
- Meyer's large pocket dictionary. 7th, revised edition. 1999.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Knaur, The German Dictionary, 1985, page 609.
- ↑ http://www.zeno.org/Brockhaus-1911/A/Lappalie
- ↑ http://www.zeno.org/Adelung-1793/A/Lappalie,+die?hl=lappalie
- ↑ http://www.kruenitz1.uni-trier.de/xxx/l/kl01175.htm
- ^ Ignaz Wrobel [di Kurt Tucholsky]: The rule of law , in: Die Weltbühne, July 12, 1927, No. 28, p. 51.