By Harry Whittier Frees [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Any stabs at what it means before we get to that below?
As you might have guessed from my out-of-alphabetical-sequence photo today, I immediately, immediately thought of cats in pajamas when I saw that word. Especially since Google offered it as “katzenjammers.”
Obviously not what it means, but, I mean, how cool would it be if Germans did have a word specifically for cats in pajamas? They gave us schadenfreude, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
Here is the definition from Wikipedia:
Katzenjammer German pronunciation:[ˈkaʦənˌjamɐ] is a German word literally meaning “cat’s wail” (caterwaul) and hence “discordant sound”, sometimes used to indicate a general state of depression or bewilderment. It has also been used as a term for a hangover, with the sufferer’s groans of discomfort being likened to a wailing cat.
Apparently there’s also a band from Oslo, Norway named Kaztenjammers, which is kind of an odd name for people who make music, but I guess it’s always good to recognize your limitations.
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Adorable picture. Got that immediately! 😀
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There was also The Katzenjammer Kids, an old newspaper comic strip that ran for years. Early 20th century.
Around the same time that Krazy Kat ran, and so many others.
Stu
Tale Spinning
https://stuartnager.wordpress.com/
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Oh I’ve never seen it! Or read it. Or whatever it is one does with comic strips! It’s a great word. Thanks for coming by, I’m looking forward to getting creeped out later 🙂
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I’m sure you can google it to find examples. I am also pretty sure there are/were a few book compilations.
Creeped out? by moi? lol
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YEP! I said it day one, DOLLS ARE CREEPY!
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Good word, a new one to me!
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/12/k-is-for-komarno-slovakia-and-komarom-hungary/
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Thanks, me too!
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What a lovely word. Although I try to avoid hangovers these days I’ll keep it in mind.
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Me too! But it does seem like the kind of word that could come in handy.
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Wow.. Cat Zen jammer as I phrase this.. Absolutely new and an interesting word. I loved the picture and the spin. Should you be interested in reading my post on K is for Kaleidoscopic Life, here is the link https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/k-kaleidoscopic-life-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/
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Love to! Thanks for coming by 🙂
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With my German heritage, my dad loved Katzenjammer Kids. But note that in German, the J sounds like Y, so not so much like pajamas! More like Kats are Yammering!
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That actually makes perfect sense, given the definition…now I think “yammer” probably has German (or possibly Yiddish, a lot of which comes from German) origins.
What’s “Pajamas” in German, I wonder?
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I’m going to stick with your initial response – cats in PJs – ‘cos who doesn’t love that idea, apart from … you know … the cats 😉
As for the Norweigan band, they do have some very odd musical traits over there, or else my chap has a particular skill in seeking out *only* the weird & wonderful (hmmmm … there’s a thought).
A-Zing this year at:
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I don’t know…I think that a band called Katzenjammers probably speaks for the music scene! I mean…
Totally agree, I like my definition best. I wonder if I can get Germany on board.
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What Stuhn said above is what I think of when I see the word Katzenjammer. I studied the cartoon strip in a college political science class, but I can’t remember why. But I remember the word.
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It’s the kind of word, I think, once you know it, it sticks. German has some ugly words, but it also really has some perfect ones.
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I can never resist a cat in any outfit – so pyjamas on cats caught my eye immediately. It looks like you’re having a great time with your posts on the AtoZ.
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
M for Make It Happen
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Thanks, I definitely try…I’m not even a cat person but this guy’s pics are hilarious. And they must be old as they’re in the public domain!
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