For those who didn’t live through the 60s, it was JFK who famously said “Ich bin ein Berliner”, intending to say he was a fellow resident of the city of Berlin and actually calling himself a pastry specialty. Some say a donut.
I studied German, but I’ve forgotten most of it, so I’m quioting Wikipedia here:
“There is a widespread misconception that Kennedy accidentally said that he was a Berliner, a type of German doughnut. This is an urban legend which emerged several decades after the speech, and it is not true that residents of Berlin in 1963 would have mainly understood the word “Berliner” to refer to a jelly doughnut or that the audience laughed at Kennedy’s use of this expression – if nothing else because this type of doughnut is called “Pfannkuchen” (literally: Pan cake) in Berlin and the word “Berliner” is only used outside of Berlin."
And from ThoughtCo"“Part of the problem here stems from the fact that in statements of nationality or citizenship, German often leaves off the “ein.” “Ich bin Deutscher.” or “Ich bin gebürtiger (=native-born) Berliner” But in Kennedy’s statement, the “ein” was correct and not only expressed that he was “one” of them but also emphasised his message.
And if that does not convince you yet, you should know that in Berlin a jelly doughnut is actually called “ein Pfannkuchen”, not “ein Berliner” like in almost all the rest of Germany. (In most of Germany, der Pfannkuchen means “pancake.” in other regions you’d have to call it a “Krapfen”.) While over the years there must have been many translation or interpreting errors with U.S. public officials abroad, but luckily and clearly this wasn’t one of them."
BlitzMcD 29 days ago
Bonus points for Satchel with that obscure (at least for those who didn’t live through it) reference to JFK.
MeanBob Premium Member 29 days ago
I think it’s meant to be einen, aber meine deutsch sint rostig.
Cpeckbourlioux 29 days ago
J.F. Satchel.
iggyman 29 days ago
Satchel has some German Shepherd breeding?!
iggyman 29 days ago
The “Feline recline” group!
PN3904 Premium Member 29 days ago
For those who didn’t live through the 60s, it was JFK who famously said “Ich bin ein Berliner”, intending to say he was a fellow resident of the city of Berlin and actually calling himself a pastry specialty. Some say a donut.
foothill.g 29 days ago
eine
jango 29 days ago
I think that Satch would’ve made a better VP candidate for der fuhrer.
pateperro 29 days ago
Eine. It’s a feminine noun.
bloodykate 29 days ago
LOL
timinwsac Premium Member 29 days ago
The German grammar police are out in force today.
chriscc63 29 days ago
I am a jelly donut
JLChi 29 days ago
I studied German, but I’ve forgotten most of it, so I’m quioting Wikipedia here:
“There is a widespread misconception that Kennedy accidentally said that he was a Berliner, a type of German doughnut. This is an urban legend which emerged several decades after the speech, and it is not true that residents of Berlin in 1963 would have mainly understood the word “Berliner” to refer to a jelly doughnut or that the audience laughed at Kennedy’s use of this expression – if nothing else because this type of doughnut is called “Pfannkuchen” (literally: Pan cake) in Berlin and the word “Berliner” is only used outside of Berlin."
And from ThoughtCo"“Part of the problem here stems from the fact that in statements of nationality or citizenship, German often leaves off the “ein.” “Ich bin Deutscher.” or “Ich bin gebürtiger (=native-born) Berliner” But in Kennedy’s statement, the “ein” was correct and not only expressed that he was “one” of them but also emphasised his message.
And if that does not convince you yet, you should know that in Berlin a jelly doughnut is actually called “ein Pfannkuchen”, not “ein Berliner” like in almost all the rest of Germany. (In most of Germany, der Pfannkuchen means “pancake.” in other regions you’d have to call it a “Krapfen”.) While over the years there must have been many translation or interpreting errors with U.S. public officials abroad, but luckily and clearly this wasn’t one of them."
Smeagol 29 days ago
I want a twist right now.
eb110americana 28 days ago
You’ve heard of herding cats?