The Meaning and Origin of Famous German Names

The Meaning and Origin of Famous German Names Have you ever wondered about some of the famous German last names youve heard or read about? Whats in a German name? The meaning and origins of names are not always what they seem to be at first glance. German surnames and place names often trace their roots back to old Germanic words that have changed their meaning or gone out of use entirely. For example, the last name of author Gà ¼nter Grass seems to be obvious. Although the German word for grass is das Gras, the German authors name really has nothing to do with grass. His last name comes from a Middle High German word with a very different meaning. People who know just enough German to be dangerous may tell you that the surname Gottschalk means Gods rogue or Gods scoundrel. Well, this name – borne by the famous German TV host Thomas Gottschalk (virtually unknown outside of the German-speaking world) and an American department store chain – actually has a much better meaning. Similar mistakes or mistranslations can arise because words (and names) change their meanings and spellings over time. The name Gottschalk goes back at least 300 years to a time when the German word Schalk had a different meaning than it has today. (More below.) Arnold Schwarzenegger is another famous person whose name is sometimes explained in a misleading and even racist way. But his name is only confusing to people who dont know German very well, and it certainly has nothing to do with black people. The correct pronunciation of his name makes that very clear: Schwarzen-egger. Learn more about these and other names in the alphabetical list below. Also, see the list of related Germanic name resources at the end. German Surnames of the Rich and/or Famous Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967) - First chancellor of West GermanyMany surnames come from a geographic location or town. In the case of Adenauer, who served in Bonn as the very first Bundeskanzler, his name comes from a small town very close to Bonn: Adenau, first listed in the records as Adenowe (1215). A person from Adenau is known as an Adenauer. The German-American Henry Kissinger is another example of German name derived from a town (see below). Johann Sebastian Bach (1770-1872) - German composerSometimes a name is exactly what it seems to be. In the case of the composer, the German word der Bach means that his ancestors lived near a small stream or brook. But the name Bache, with an added e, is related to another old word meaning smoked meat or bacon and hence a butcher. (The modern German word Bache means wild sow.) Boris Becker (1967- ) - former German tennis star. He has an occupational name far removed from how Becker gained fame: baker (der Bcker). Karl Benz (1844-1929) - German co-inventor of the automobileMany last names were once (or still are also) first or given names. Karl (also Carl) Benz has a surname that was once a nickname for either Bernhard (strong bear) or Berthold (splendid ruler).   Gottfried Wilhelm Daimler (1834-1900) - German co-inventor of the automobileOlder variations of Daimler include Deumler, Teimbler, and Teumler. Not exactly a name meaning desired by someone dealing with cars, Daimler is derived from an old southern German word (Tumler) meaning swindler, from the verb tumeln, to overcharge or cheat. In 1890, he and his partner Wilhelm Maybach founded the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). In 1926 DMG merged with the Karl Benz company to form Daimler-Benz AG. (Also see Karl Benz above).   Thomas Gottschalk (1950- ) - German TV host (Wetten, dass...?)The name Gottschalk literally means Gods servant. Although today the word der Schalk is understood as rogue or scoundrel, its original meaning was more like der Knecht, servant, knave, or farmhand. In the early 1990s, Gottschalk and his family bought a home in Los Angeles (Malibu), where he could live without being mobbed by German fans. He still spends summers in California. Like Gottlieb (Gods love), Gottschalk was also a first name. Stefanie Steffi Graf (1969- ) - former German tennis starThe German word der Graf is the same as the English title of nobility count. Gà ¼nter Grass (1927- ) - German Nobel-prize winning authorA good example of a surname that seems obvious, but isnt the famous authors name comes from the Middle High German (1050-1350) word graz, meaning angry or intense. Once they know this, many people think the name suits the often controversial writer.   Henry Kissinger  (1923- ) - German-born former U.S. Secretary of State (1973-1977) and Nobel Peace Prize laureateHeinz Alfred Kissingers name is a place name meaning a person from Bad Kissingen, a famous spa resort town in Franconian Bavaria. Kissingers great great grandfather (Urgroßvater) derived his name from the town in 1817. Even today, a person from Bad Kissingen (pop. 21,000) is known as a Kissinger. Heidi Klum  (1973- ) - German supermodel, actressIronically, Klum is related to the old German word  klumm  (knapp, short, limited;  geldklumm, short on money) and  klamm  (klamm  sein, slang for strapped for cash). As a star model, Klums financial situation certainly does not fit her name. Helmut Kohl  (1930- ) - former German chancellor (1982-1998)The name Kohl (or Cole) is derived from an occupation: a grower or seller of cabbage (der Kohl. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  (1756-1791) - Austrian composerBaptized as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, the genius composer had a last name that comes from a term of ridicule or mockery. First recorded in the 14th century as Mozahrt in southern Germany, the name is based on the old Alemannic word  motzen, to roll in  mud. Originally a first name (with the common ending -hart), the term was used for someone who was sloppy, untidy, or dirty. Ferdinand Porsche  (1875-1951) - Austrian auto engineer and designerThe name Porsche has Slavic roots and is probably derived from a shortened form of the first name Borislav (Boris), meaning famous fighter (bor, fighting   slava, fame). Porsche designed the original Volkswagen. Maria Schell  (1926-2005) - Austrian-Swiss film actressMaximilian Schell  (1930 - ) - Austrian-Swiss film actorAnother name with Middle High German origins. The MHG  schell  meant exciting or wild. Brother and sister also both appeared in Hollywood films. Claudia Schiffer  (1970- ) - German supermodel, actressOne of Claudias ancestors was probably a sailor or ships captain (der Schiffer, skipper). Oskar Schindler  (1908-1974) - German factory owner of Schindlers list fameFrom the profession of  Schindelhauer  (shingle maker). Arnold Schwarzenegger  (1947- ) - Austrian-born actor, director, politicianNot only is the former bodybuilders name a bit long and unusual, but it is also often misunderstood. Arnolds last name is made up of two words:  schwarzen, black   egger, corner, or loosely translated, black corner (das  schwarze  Eck). His ancestors probably came from a location that was forested and seemed dark (like the Black Forest,  der Schwarzwald).   Til Schweiger  (1963- ) - German screen star, director, producerAlthough it seems related to  schweigen  (to be silent), the actors name is actually derived from Middle High German  sweige, meaning farm or dairy farm. Schweiger has also appeared in several Hollywood movies, including as a villain in  Laura Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life  (2003). Johnny Weissmuller  (1904-1984) - U.S. Olympic swimming champ best known as TarzanAnother occupational name: wheat miller (der Weizen / Weisz  Ã‚  der Mà ¼ller / Mueller). Although he always claimed he was born in Pennsylvania, Weissmuller was  actually  born to Austrian parents in what is now Rumania.   Ruth Westheimer (Dr. Ruth)  (1928- ) - German-born sex therapistBorn in Frankfurt am Main as Karola Ruth Siegel (das Siegel, stamp, seal), Dr. Ruths last name (from her late husband Manfred Westheimer) means at home / living in the west (der West  Ã‚  heim). Books on German Family Names  (in German) Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen - Woher sie kommen, was sie bedeutenJà ¼rgen Udolph, Goldmann, paper - ISBN: 978-3442154289 Duden - Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20 000 NachnamenRosa and Volker KohlheimBibliographisches Institut, Mannheim, paper - ISBN: 978-3411708529 Das große Buch der FamiliennamenHorst NaumannBassermann, 2007, paper - ISBN: 978-3809421856

Multiple Choice Tests Strategies for Students

Multiple Choice Tests Strategies for Students Multiple choice tests are one of the most popular forms of assessment utilized by classroom teachers. They are easy for teachers to construct and score. Mastering multiple choice exams are one part mastery of content and one part skillful test taking. The following multiple choice tests strategies will help students improve their scores on a multiple choice assessment. These strategies are designed to increase the chances of a students answer being correct. Making it a habit of using each of these strategies on a multiple choice test will make you a better test taker. Read the question at least two times before you look at the answer. Then read the answer choices at least two times. Finally, re-read the question one more time.Always cover up the possible responses with a piece of paper or with your hand while you read the stem or body of the question. Then, come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test wont throw you off or trick you.Eliminate answers you know arent right. Every answer you can eliminate increases your odds of getting the question correct.Slow down! Read all the choices before choosing your answer. Do not assume that the first answer is correct. Finish reading all the other choices, because while the first may fit, a latter one may be the better, more correct answer.If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select an answer. Never leave an answer blank.Do not keep on changing your answer; usually your first choice is the correct one unles s you misread the question. In All of the above and None of the above choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true do not choose None of the above or one of the statements are false do not choose All of the above.In a question with an All of the above choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then All of the above will be the correct answer choice.Tone can matter. A positive answer choice is more likely to be correct over a negative answer choice.Wordiness is a good indicator. Usually, the correct answer is the choice with the most information.If all else fails, choose response (b) or (c). Many instructors subconsciously feel that the correct answer is hidden better if it is surrounded by distractors. Response (a) is usually least likely to be the correct one.Stay within the lines. Be sure that you have filled the appropriate bubbles carefully WITH A #2 PENCIL. Be sure that there are no stray marks.Take the time to check your work before you hand in the answer sheet. On a timed test, utilize every second of time that you have to go over your answer choices as much as possible. On an untimed test, check over everything multiple times.