gammeln

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡaməln/, [ˈɡaməln], [ˈɡaml̩n]

Via German Low German from Middle Low German gamelen, from Old Saxon (attested in the past participle gigamalōd). Cognate to Old English gamolian. The verb pertains to an adjective meaning “old” attested in Middle Dutch gamel, Old English gamol, Old Norse gamall (whence forms in all modern Scandinavian languages).

gammeln (third-person singular simple present gammelt, past tense gammelte, past participle gegammelt, auxiliary haben)

1. (of food or figurative) to become old; to rot

   Das Brot von letzter Woche gammelt im Schrank.

   Last week’s bread is rotting in the cupboard.

• Gammel
• gammelig
• vergammeln

Originally a southern German dialect word. Derived from Middle High German gamel, variant of gamen (“amusement”), from Old High German gaman. Related to English game.

gammeln (third-person singular simple present gammelt, past tense gammelte, past participle gegammelt, auxiliary haben)

1. (informal) to bum around; to do nothing productive; to be idle; to live the life of a hobo

   Nach der Schule hab ich zwei Jahre nur gegammelt.

   After finishing school I haven't done anything productive for two years.

• Gammler