Saturday, December 24, 2005

Luftmensch           [etymology note]

Curious as to the exact meaning of Mensch, I looked it up.

For more detailed etymology, I was pointed to Luftmensch.

Which proved an interesting word all its own.

Anyway, then I wrote this:

    it's a matter noted in general
          that where there's a bench
          there's need of a mensch

    in similar sooth perennial
          a placid bench
          could suit a wench

          both wench & mench
          could use a bench
    a certitude millenial

1 Comments:

Blogger Indeterminacy said...

Luftmensch is kind of abstract - I'm not sure what it means, but it sounds mythological. Maybe an air sprite or something.

The word Mensch would usually be used in the context that we might use man (collective form), or human. There are interseting variations: Unmensch: is a an impossible, cruel (unmenschlich) person. Menschlich means humane. Could also be used as an expression of frustration: Mensch! (something like Ah, man.)

I believe it's the same worn in Yiddish, too. Sei ein Mensch.

Wed Jan 11, 06:36:00 AM PST  

Post a Comment

<< Home