This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

Pippifax

English translation: Do you have to buy such knick-knack?

23:18 Dec 15, 2000
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: Pippifax
ES GIBT DINGE, AN DENEN MAN NICHT VORBEI GEHEN KANN. DIE MUSS MAN BESITZEN. DANN HEISST ES: MUSST DU WIEDER SOLCHEN PIPPIFAX KAUFEN ? DOCH OFT WERDEN ES LIEBLINGSSTÜCKE.
Gillian Searl
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:38
English translation:Do you have to buy such knick-knack?
Explanation:
Knick- knacks are useless things, which serve no particular purpose, but to stand around.
In Muret-Sanders, where I confirmed the spelling etc. I found they translate it into German as:
Spielzeug, Kleinigkeit, Schnickschnack, Tand, Nippes, kleiner Leckerbissen Troedelkram and many more.
Selected response from:

Elisabeth Moser
United States
Local time: 05:38
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
nanonesense
Wilestrans
natrifles, trivialities
Uschi (Ursula) Walke
nauseless gadgets
Carmen Berelson
naDo you have to buy such knick-knack?
Elisabeth Moser


  

Answers


1 hr
nonesense


Explanation:
"Pippifax" describes something, an item, you do not need, and which frequently is of neither use nor ornament.

Wilestrans
Germany
Local time: 11:38
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs
trifles, trivialities


Explanation:
Pipi = wee(-wee) in baby language,
Fax stands for 'Faxen machen'= to fool around.


    Langenscheidt, Collins
Uschi (Ursula) Walke
Local time: 19:38
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
Michaela Sommer
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs
useless gadgets


Explanation:
This term is also used for issues a person gets upset about, which are of minor or hardly any significance. Example: Das ist doch alles nur Pipifax, darüber muss man sich nicht aufregen. (That's peanuts, don't get upset about it.)

Carmen Berelson
United States
Local time: 05:38
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs
Do you have to buy such knick-knack?


Explanation:
Knick- knacks are useless things, which serve no particular purpose, but to stand around.
In Muret-Sanders, where I confirmed the spelling etc. I found they translate it into German as:
Spielzeug, Kleinigkeit, Schnickschnack, Tand, Nippes, kleiner Leckerbissen Troedelkram and many more.


    Muret-Sanders
Elisabeth Moser
United States
Local time: 05:38
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search