schmutzdecke n. a naturally occurring gelatinous layer of living biological matter on a sand-based water filter, for which it provides additional filtration. Editorial Note: Occasionally spelled in English as “schmutzedecke” or...
bistronomy n.— «Francois Lemarie had an article in the same issue on the move of French cuisine from gastronomy through bistronomy to fooding and lists as Parisian bistronomic places: La Cerisaie, Le Temps au Temps, Fogon St-Julien, Le...
nines n.— «What level of reliability do you want to design into the satellite, and verify via ground testing? 99%? Or three nines? Or four?» —“Re: German conference highlights doubts about ESA’s manned space plans” by...
little red dot n.— «How this tiny republic, also affectionately known as “the little red dot” among its citizens, persuaded the German museum it is the right place for another Red Dot is a tale that deserves to be told.» —“Red-hot...
deckle n. a thick band of fat on (a cut of) meat; a very fatty cut of meat. Etymological Note: Mostly likely connected to German dicht ‘thick,’ dick ‘thick’ or ‘fat,’ or Dicke ‘fat person, a fatty.’ The prefix dick- is used to to indicate...
Hanukkah bush n. a small tree decorated by some (secular) Jews at the time of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, in imitation of the Yule or Christmas tree. Editorial Note: Alexander Tille in 1892 wrote in the article “German Christmas and the...