Rotwelsch

See also: rotwelsch

English

Etymology

Borrowed from German Rotwelsch.

Proper noun

Rotwelsch

  1. (historical) A secret cant or thieves' argot spoken by covert groups primarily in southern Germany and Switzerland.

Further reading

German

Alternative forms
  • Rotwelsche

Etymology

Uncertain. Rot (Rotwelsch for “beggar”, compare Rotte (“rout; group”)) + welsch (“Romance; foreign”). Compare Kauderwelsch (“gibberish”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [ˈʀoːtvɛlʃ]

Noun
Examples
  • ausbaldowern (“to spy out”)
  • Knast (“prison”)
  • Polente (“police”)
  • Schmu (“trick, cheat”)

Rotwelsch n (genitive Rotwelschs)

  1. (historical) Rotwelsch (secret cant formerly spoken in southern Germany and Switzerland)
    Synonym: Gaunersprache

Further reading
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