Schlimmbesserung/Verschlimmbesserung
am 18.07.2008 von http://transblawg.eu
I am perhaps rather late to discover the new English word Schlimmbesserung (should be Verschlimmbesserung).
I saw it on Susan Hills blog today, but to comment there I would have to register. Its used by the guest blogger, Robert Matthews.
But Google reveals more instances. I wonder if it started in Howard Rheingolds Book They Have a Word for It, which I happen to have here because someone gave me it - I am a bit allergic to these collections of spurious terms from all world languages:
The time is ripe for that good old German word for improvements that make things worse: Schlimmbesserung (sh-lim-BESS-air-oong). While perfect for many egregiously inappropriate applications of technology, Schlimmbesserung is by no means limited to technological improvements.
But no, I find 2005 instances online.
The thing is, Verschlimmbesserung makes more sense in German, with the ver- prefix indicating a change.
Still, I suppose if Germans can amend the English language (body bag), …
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» Susan Hill's blog :: GUEST BLOGGER
» Dyneslines: Schlimmbesserung
» Schlimmbesserung@Everything2.com
» Amazon.de: They Have a Word for It: Howard Rheingold: Englische Bücher
Amazon.de: They Have a Word for It: Howard Rheingold: Englische Bücher
» Schlimmbesserung
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