A selection of 10 creative German abbreviations
Germans are renowned for using a lot of abbreviations. Here's a pick which includes the classics, as well as a few unusual ones.
Vokuhila
Let's start with a classic from the 80s: Vokuhila, a widespread term for mullet, is a good example of the German language's affinity for syllabic abbreviations — using the first syllable of different words. In this case: "vorne kurz, hinten lang" (front short, back long). It's an official word in the German dictionary, but the debate as to whether it's "die" or "der" Vokuhila is still open.
Oliba
Similarly, "Oberlippenbart" (a mustache, literally "top lip beard") is shortened to Oliba — but this abbreviation didn't make it into the dictionary yet. The Vokuhila Oliba is a time-honored combination (see previous picture), but even without a mullet you can also get creative with your facial hair, like these World Beard and Mustache Championship participants.
FdH
This abbreviation refers to a German diet principle called "Friss die Hälfte," which simply recommends eating only half of what you'd usually ingest during a typical day. Realistically portraying the method, here's a stock photo of a woman laughing alone with two pieces of cake while her hands are tied with a measuring tape.
Schnipo
Depressed by the diet? Schnitzel and Pommes (French fries) is what you need, right now. Don't waste words on the project: Use the abbreviation "Schnipo." And if you're still thinking about calories, you can always order a "Schniposa" and you'll get a side of a salad — or at least a lettuce leaf and half a tomato, as pictured.
L.m.a.A.
Way before "Leck mich am Arsch" (lick my ass) was a punk hit in the 1980s, the phrase that's also known as the Swabian salute was immortalized by Goethe in "Götz von Berlichingen." And Mozart also composed a canon called "Leck mich im Arsch": His original text version only came to light in 1991, as his 18th-century publisher had modified the canon's dirty lyrics and title to "Let us be glad!"
2ZKB
Back in the days when people had to keep the number of characters in classified ads to a minimum, Germans became really creative in describing apartments. People still use abbreviations such as 2ZKB ("2 Zimmer mit Küche und Bad": 2 rooms with a kitchen and bathroom) on large pieces of paper. There are over 100 more abbreviations related to real estate.
FKK
Newcomers to Germany are always impressed by the country's relaxed attitude towards nudity. They then quickly encounter the name of a movement with a strong history that explains everything: FKK, for "Freikörperkultur," which translates to Free Body Culture, through which being naked in nature was promoted as an experience that was disconnected from sexuality.
AKK
Similar to the previous abbreviation, but the pictures accompanying them can hardly be confused. Succeeding Angela Merkel, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer became the leader of the Christian Democratic Union in 2018. Even Germans found her name a mouthful, and an abbreviation was quickly found: AKK. She also uses the three letters as her Twitter handle.
Waluliso
"Wasser-Luft-Licht-Sonne": water, air, light and sun. It was the pseudonym and motto of a Viennese peace activist whose eccentric style marked the city, and who didn't go unnoticed during state visits either, impressing Prince Charles and Lady Di or PLO chairman Yasser Arafat. Two years after his death in 1996, the Waluliso Bridge was created in an FKK area in Vienna, crossing the Danube River.
JWD
The abbreviation refers to "janz weit draussen," Berliner dialect to say "way out there," which means: in the middle of nowhere. Germans also describe it as the "Pampa" — borrowed from Spanish. In that language, it specially refers to the grassy plains of South America.