Leichert and Bachert: two words that describe Austria

Letchert and patchert are two Austrian tendencies that are often typical of Austrians.

Austrian is a typical word in the use of the Austrian language. If such a term also represents the typical behavior of the population, then – unscientifically speaking – we are witnessing a double Austrianism. Do you want an example?

Letchert, pronounced long, means weak, weak, or soft. Similar to cornflakes that have been soaked in milk for a long time, anyone can feel the same. There is probably a linguistic connection with Lash, but there may also be a bit of onomatopoeia behind it. Then we end up with slippers, i.e. stumbling walking, and slippers, i.e. worn-out shoes. This is evident because the letter a here is pronounced with a similar length to the letter e in Letchert. So you can really imagine someone walking along the road.

Låtsch is an overly good-natured person. Latch may also be present in the joke word lulach, which describes a tall, heavy person. But that's just by the way.

The second double Austrian sounds similar – and in fact some clumsy people are also referred to as patschert or påtschert, although this usually means clumsy or clumsy. The meaning that someone is not completely mentally up to date was also behind it.

Here also we have the etymology – batten: to cause a clapping sound. Just like slippers, slippers also get their name from the sound the shoes make when shuffled. But a pat also means a tire is out of air. A large belly was once described as a problem.

You are in Påtchenkino when you are sitting at home (so to speak, in your slippers) in front of the TV. The phrase “be upright” means to die. It doesn't get much more Austrian than that…

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