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German word of the day: Die Sturmfrisur

Eve Bennett
Eve Bennett - [email protected]
German word of the day: Die Sturmfrisur
Autumn has arrived in Europe, bringing with it windy weather and ruined hairstyles. Photo: DPA

Today’s word of the day may come in handy as the autumn weather arrives.

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Have you ever spent ages styling your hair to perfection, only for torrential wind and rain to leave you looking like you’ve just got out of bed?

The German language has a word for this windswept look - die Sturmfrisur

Unlike many unusual German terms, this compound noun translates rather easily into English. 

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Der Sturm means ‘storm’, whilst die Frisur means ‘hairstyle’ or ‘hairdo’. When put together, these two words translate as ‘storm hairstyle’.

The term usually refers to hair that looks as though it has been ‘styled’ by the wind rather than by the person themselves.

READ ALSO: 10 essential phrases to complain about the weather like a German

It can, however, also be used as a friendly way to mock someone who hasn’t put any effort into their hair.

One of the most famous examples of a Sturmfrisur dates back to 2001 and involves German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Car rental company SIXT gave the politician a windswept hairdo in a bid to encourage customers to tap into their carefree side and rent a Cabrio car. 

Example sentences:

Du hast eine richtige Sturmfrisur. Ist es windig draußen?

Your hair looks rather dishevelled. Is it windy outside?

Henriks Sturmfrisur hat gestern bei der Arbeit für Lacher gesorgt.

Henrik’s windswept hair made everyone at work laugh yesterday.

 

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Anonymous 2020/09/28 17:06
I call this "Hair by Porsche"

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