Scheisse!: The Real German You Were Never Taught in School (Paperback)

by Gertrude Besserwisser (Author), David Levine (Author)
Key Phrases: Gertrude Besserwisser, Ach du Scheiße, East Germany (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Another entry in the bestselling, Merda! series, this humorous book helps readers navigate the world of real Low German. Scheisse! introduces readers to the fine art of cursing and basic slang to spice up their German speech. On-air radio giveaways.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Plume (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452272211
• ISBN-13: 978-0452272217
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,715 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #7 in	Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > German
  #14 in	Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Slang & Idioms
  #16 in	Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > German > Instruction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny but be careful!!, March 31, 2004

By	"loewenzahn82" (somewhere in the middle of Germany) - See all my reviews

I'm a native German speaker and as such I kind of feel the need to warn you a little about this book...
First I have to say that it is indeed very funny and VERY resourceful- I didn't know all of the words in here! If you are frustrated while studying German or just for fun before coming to Germany on a trip this book is a really good read I think. BUT (here it comes) you are probably quite prone to make a fool out of yourself when using some of the words or phrases in here, because a lot of it is horribly outdated. If I heard someone say some of this stuff I would probably be lying on the floor laughing- so you might not come across quite as planned!

But this isn't to say that I wouldn't buy this book if I were you! (I still have to find an equivalent of this in English :o)!)
You might want to consult a native speaker once in a while though...

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Gutter German, April 24, 2004

By	Jon Linden (Warren, N.J. United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In her book, "Scheisse" Gertrude Besserwisser, which seems to almost have to be a pseudonym, the reader is introduced to really wonderful low Deutsch of the most common variety. In fact, this is German you don't learn in school, I heard this stuff when I went to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. But not in school.

No profanity is too great for the unabashed Besserwisser. Wonderful colloquial German expressions of full throttle profanity and abusiveness are introduced in this book, along with illustrations by David Levine that increase the humor of the presentation.

The one item that the reader should know, is that basic knowledge of a little German is really a pre-requisite to get the most out of this book. Although, it is readable, by those who have never spoken a word of German. And just as funny. This book is highly recommended for people about to take a trip to a German speaking country. At least you will know when they are cursing at you, even if you cannot understand all of it.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zum Lesen mit'm Duden, June 24, 1999

By	[e-mail] (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This book provides some useful words and expressions that you certainly won't learn in American high schools or colleges. It is probably the best of its kind available for German (the Wicked series books are filled with ridiculous made-up sayings that no native speaker really uses). That said, it really doesn't compare with the Merde books in French, of which this is the German equivalent. For instance, the sentences given as examples are not witty and they are also loosely translated into English, which might give the right "feel" but is not the best for someone trying to learn the intricacies of their usage. Also, the German doesn't get as vulgar as the French (whether this is because the German language is more civilized or this book less complete I hesitate to answer). One understandable problem is that there are tons of different dialects and regional differences in German so that a general unified version of German slang is sure to lack some substance. Consider also the great wealth of Viennese slang (Wienerisch, eh kloar!) or the different Swiss expressions which are of necessity left out. Over all this is a pretty decent book for those who want to learn some "low German" or just try out some choice words on their German teacher!