German word of the day: Der Valentinsmuffel
This person doesn't buy into the whole Valentine's Day thing. So if you're with a Valentinsmuffel, don't expect a card or chocolates.
What does it mean?
Der Muffel means “sour puss” or “grouch.” Therefore, someone who hates Valentine’s Day is sometimes referred to in Germany as Der Valentins-Muffel, or Valentinsmuffel.
How is it used?
Presumably this word is used quite often, as 40 percent of Germans said they hated Valentine’s Day in 2017, according to a Bild article.
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, decorated for Valentinstag. Photo: DPA.
It is, after all, not traditionally celebrated in Germany. In fact, most traditions around the holiday were brought to Germany by Americans stationed in the country after World War II.
The first Valentine’s Ball in Germany took place in Nuremberg in 1950 and the holiday has slowly spread in popularity since then.
READ ALSO: Then and now: How Valentine's Day has blossomed in Germany
The main beneficiaries of the celebration are the German flower and sweets industries, whose prices increase during the month of February.
Example Sentences:
Mein Mann ist ein Valentinesmuffel, deshalb bekomme ich keine Geschenke zum Valentinstag.
My husband is a Valentine’s sour puss, so I don’t get any gifts for Valentine’s Day.
Wahrscheinlich sind so viele Deutschen Valentinesmuffel, weil der Valentinstag so kommerzialisiert ist.
Most Germans are probably Valentine’s grouches because Valentine’s Day is so commercialised.
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What does it mean?
Der Muffel means “sour puss” or “grouch.” Therefore, someone who hates Valentine’s Day is sometimes referred to in Germany as Der Valentins-Muffel, or Valentinsmuffel.
How is it used?
Presumably this word is used quite often, as 40 percent of Germans said they hated Valentine’s Day in 2017, according to a Bild article.
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, decorated for Valentinstag. Photo: DPA.
It is, after all, not traditionally celebrated in Germany. In fact, most traditions around the holiday were brought to Germany by Americans stationed in the country after World War II.
The first Valentine’s Ball in Germany took place in Nuremberg in 1950 and the holiday has slowly spread in popularity since then.
READ ALSO: Then and now: How Valentine's Day has blossomed in Germany
The main beneficiaries of the celebration are the German flower and sweets industries, whose prices increase during the month of February.
Example Sentences:
Mein Mann ist ein Valentinesmuffel, deshalb bekomme ich keine Geschenke zum Valentinstag.
My husband is a Valentine’s sour puss, so I don’t get any gifts for Valentine’s Day.
Wahrscheinlich sind so viele Deutschen Valentinesmuffel, weil der Valentinstag so kommerzialisiert ist.
Most Germans are probably Valentine’s grouches because Valentine’s Day is so commercialised.
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