William sometimes used German words in his text; he also quoted song titles, telegrams, and cables in German. In the early years, he often wrote the German words in the old German Gothic type, or Fraktur script, which for many is difficult to read. Some German words appear as translated annotations on this Web site; over time, all German words in the Diary except for song titles will be translated. As William usually did not modify his handwriting when writing German, German words in the text are not italicized (but do appear as such in the selected list below).
As William usually did not modify his handwriting when writing German, German words in the text are not italicized (but do appear as such in the selected list below).
Aal eel
Abbindeleiste mounting rail in a piano
Abendessen evening meal
Abendmahl Communion, the Christian rite
Abendunterhaltung, Abend Unterhaltung an evening entertainment (Abend = evening; Unterhaltung = entertainment)
Abiturienten Examen examination taken at the end of high school to determine fitness to enter a university
Abklatsch proof copy
Abmeldung notice of departure (usually of workers or done when changing one’s address)
Abrechnung final accounting
Abschied departure
Abschiedsessen farewell dinner
Abschiedsfeier farewell celebration
Abschiedsfest farewell party
Abschieds Vorstellung farewell performance
Abwehr guard, defense
Achillesferse Achilles heel (ferse = heel)
Affenleben The Life of Apes
Afrika Reise Travels in Africa
Aktien Gesellschaft publicly owned corporation (sometimes one word = AG)
Alexanderfest Alexander's Feast (oratorio by Handel)
Allgemeine general
Allgemeine Musikzeitung General Music Newspaper
Allgemeine New York Vers. (Versicherung) General N.Y. Insurance
Allgemeine Land & Forst Wirtschafliche Ausstelung General Farm & Forest Management Exhibit
Altdeutsche Weinstube “Old German wine room” as in the Liederkranz club house
Altniederländische Lieder Old low country songs
Almennrausch & Edelweiss Alm meadows & Edelweiss flower
Altes Vaterland, Neues Vaterland old homeland, new homeland
Altstadt old town
Ammoniak ammonia
Amtsgericht district court
Amtsrichter district judge
Anlagen parks, pleasure grounds
Anschluss Nachsteuer additional tax
Arbeiter Union labor union, newspaper
Armer Jonathan Poor Jonathan (operetta by Carl Millöcker, 1842-1899)
Aschenbroedel Verein Cinderella Club
Auf Wiedersehen Until we meet again
Aufgebot marriage announcement posted at City Hall
Aufruf appeal, summons, invitation
Augenkrankheit eye disease
Ausflug excursion
Ausgleich settlement or compromise
Außerartiges Mitglied external member, a class of membership in a society
Außerordentliche Generalversammlung unscheduled general membership meeting
Ausstellung exhibit
Ausstellungsplatz exhibition ground
Ausstellungs Zeitung exhibition newspaper
Austern oysters
Auswanderer emigrant
Ausweis a summary of work, identification paper
Bademeister pool supervisor
Badereisen swimming trips
Bahnhof railroad station
Bank Verein banking association
Bankett banquet
Barbier von Seville Barber of Seville (Giochina Rossini, 1792-1868)
Baumeister construction supervisor
Baurath construction advisor
Bauunternehmer building contractor
Bei by, near
Beleidigung offense, insult, slander
Belletristisches Journal belletristic journal
Berichtigung a correction
Bescheerung gift-giving on Christmas Eve
Beschluss decision, conclusion
Bestimmung decision, judicial ruling, jury report
Betrug fraud, deception
Bettelstudent The Student Beggar (operatta by Carl Millöcker, 1842-1899)
Bibliothekar librarian
Bildergallerie picture gallery
Bismarck Essen Bismarck dinner
Bitter Wasser Bitter Water (brand name)
Blaubart Bluebeard
Blaue Nacht Blue Night
Blinddarm appendix
Blinddarm Verhärtung hardening of the appendix
Blitzzug express train (literally, “lightning train")
Blumen flowers
Blumengarten flower garden
Blutarmuth anemia (literally, “poor blood")
Blut Hochzeit blood wedding
Bodensee Lake Constance
Bohnenhülsen Thee bean pod tea
Bohnenkönig bean king; the evening before the celebration of Three Kings Day, or the Epiphany, the celebrants choose a king and drink to him
Bonner Männer Gesang Verein Men's Choral Society of Bonn, Germany
Braut von Messina Bride of Messina
Börse stock exchange
Braunkohl broccoli
Brechruhr vomiting spell
Brief(e) letter(s)
Brüchig broken or breakable
Bruder brother
Brunnen fountain
Brustschmerzen chest pains, not necessarily signifying a heart attack
Bücherschrank book case
Bummelzug local train, slow, stops in every village
Bundesrath senate
Bürgerlich & Romantisch civil & romantic
Bürgermeister mayor
Bürgerzelt citizen's tent
Cameliendame The Lady of the Camelias
Capelldiener or Kapelldiener one who keeps the church clean, stocks candles, etc; also might be a member or employee of an orchestra (Kapelle is a small church or an orchestra; Diener is a servant or member)
Chor chorus, choir
Christ und Jude Christ and Jew
Citronen lemons
Claviermacher piano maker
Club Lese Verein Club Reading Society
Commers or Kommers a free-form sing-along with drinking and salutations, speeches, and humorous anecdotes; a drinking party and social gathering that originated with students
Commerzienrath senior commercial advisor
Concert or Konzert a concert or a concerto, depending on the context; plural is Concerten / Konzerte
Conzertmeister concert master
Concertstück concerto piece, sometimes meaning concerto, sometimes a movement of a concerto or an entire concert piece
Confirmanden confirmation candidates
Czar und Zimmermann Tsar and Carpenter (opera by Albert Lortzing)
D.A. = Deutsch Amerikaner German American
Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft Stuttgart Daimler Motor Company, Stuttgart
Danksagung statement of gratitude and thanks
Darmbluten internal or intestinal bleeding
Danksagung a statement of gratitude
Das bettelnde Kind The begging child
Das goldener Kreuz The golden cross
Das Grab am Busento The Grave at Busento
Das kleine Journal The Small Journal
Das Mädel ohne Geld The girl without money
Das Paradies und die Petri Paradise and Petri
Das Spitzentuch der Königin The Queen's lace
Das Volk wie es weint und lacht The folk how they cry and laugh
Däumling “thumblet,” protective finger-glove or thumb-stall
Deckung coverage
Dekret unterzeichnet Decree signed
Denkmal monument, memorial installation
Der Aktienbudiker The Stock Market Hero (by Kalisch)
Der Fliegende Holländer The Flying Dutchman (by R. Wagner)
Der Freischütz The Free Shooter (opera by C.M. von Weber, 1786-1826)
Der Fürst wider Willen The Prince against his will
Der größter Intriguant der L.K. The greatest intriguer in the L.K.
Der Jude als Seeräuber The Jew as Pirate
Der kleine Herzog The little duke
Der Königs Leutnant The royal lieutenant
Der Loder vom Lindhammerhof folk play
Der lustige Krieg The delightful war
Der Meineidsbauer The Farmer's Perjury
Der Menschheit Würde The Dignity of Mankind
Der schlafische Zecher The sleepy drinker
Der Schuster als Millionär The Shoemaker as Millionaire
Der Strike der Schmiede The Strike by the Blacksmiths
Der todte Soldat The dead soldier
Der todte Schneider The dead tailor
Der Verschwender The Spendthrift
Der Vogelhändler The Bird Dealer
Der Wildschütz The Poacher
Der zerbrochene Krug The broken jug
Deutsche Gesellschaft German Society
Deutsche Reichsbank German Imperial Bank
Deutscher Journalisten Tag German Journalists' Day
Deutscher Krieg German war
Deutscher Tag German Day
Deutsche Vaterland German fatherland
Deutsche® Verein German Club
Deutsches Liederbuch German songbook
Die bezähmte Widerspänstige The Taming of the Shrew
Die Ehre The Honor
Die Feen The Fairies
Die Geschiwister The Siblings
Die Grille The Grasshopper
Die guten Freunde good friends
Die Hagestolzen False Honor
Die Journalisten The Journalists
Die Jüdin The Jewess
Die Maler Painters
Die Mission der Deutschen in Amerika The mission of Germans in America
Die Schuster Tochter The Shoemaker's Daughter
Die Sorglosen Those without Worry
Die Stumme von Portier The Mute from Portier
Die Tage der Bekentnis Days of Confession
Die Tochter der Hölle Daughter of Hell
Die Tochter des Jon. Fabricus Jon. Farbricius' daughter
Die Tochter des Regiments Daughter of the Regiment
Die Verschworenen The Conspirators
Die Waise von Berlin The Orphan from Berlin
Die Waise von Lowood The Orphan from Lowood
Die Weiber v. Weinsberg The Women of Weinsberg
Die Wüste The Desert
Diener servant
Dienstmann handyman
Dienstag Tuesday
Dienstag Kegelclub Tuesday Bowling League
Dirigent conductor (or orchestra or chorus)
Dirigentfrage Question or problem re: the conductor
Dom cathedral
Domchor cathedral choir
Donau Danube River
Donnerstag Thursday
Donnerstag Preiskegeln Thursday Prize Bowling
Dorf village
Dorfschuetze villager allowed to carry arms
Dorfschulze village magistrate, mayor
Dornensweg walk of thorns
Dornröschen Sleeping Beauty
Dosis dosage
Dreckboss man in charge of construction dirt
Droschke 19th century 4-horse hackney coach
Drei Raben Three Ravens
Drüse a gland
Du pronoun 2nd person singular, familiar form
Dur major music key
Durch die Intendanz On the Manager's Order
Effecten securities held by a bank
Ehestands Invaliden marriage injuires
Ehrenbürger Brief documents about honorary citizenship
Ehrendirigent honorary conductor or conductor laureate
Ehrenmitglied honorary member
Ehrliche Arbeit honest work
Ein feiner Diplomat a fine diplomat
Eingesandt sent in, submitted
Ein gewalter Kaufmann A chosen merchant
Ein glas Wasser A glass of water
Ein Jüngling a young man
Ein moderner Barbar A Modern Barbarian (a farce by Gustav von Moser, 1825-1903
Ein toller Einfall A terrific idea
ein Tropfen Gift A drop of poison
eine alte Geschichte An old story
eine berühmte Frau A famous woman
eine Frau die in Paris war A woman who has been to Paris
eine italienische Köchin an Italian cook
eine kleine Gefälligkeit A small favor
eine lustige (heitere) Schlittenfahrt A delightful sleigh ride
eine Parthie Piquet A piquant outing
Eine Weihnachts Betrachtung A Christmas Observation
Einer von unserer Leut one of our people
Elbiade composition in honor of Elbe River flood victims
Entenschwanz duck tail, a dish cooked with dumplings
Erbswurst sausage made with peas
Erheiterung Staten Island Singing Society (amusement, diversion)
Erzählungen tales, stories
Es geht ein Jude durch den Wald, der hat 'nen großen Bart a Jew is walking through the woods, he has a big beard
Es war ein Traum it was a dream
Extrapost special mail delivery
500,000 Teufel 500,000 devils
Fachinger brand name of water
Fackelzug torch light parade
Fahnenweihe flag dedication ceremony
Feehenhände fairy hands
Feier celebration
Felsenquelle rock spring
Fernandos Ehekontrakt Fernando's marriage contract
Fest festival, celebration
Festessen celebratory meal
Festspiel Humbug festival play named "Humbug"
Feueranbeter fire worshipper
Feuerwehr fire Department
Figaro's Hochzeit The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze de Figaro, W.A. Mozart, 1756-1791)
Filiale branch office of a bank
Firmenrechte company rights
Fischermädchen The fish girl
Fischzucht fishery
Fledermaus The Bat (operetta by Johann Strauss)
Florentiner (abbreviated Fl.) German currency at the time
Frankfurter Waldchen Frankfurt forest
Frankfurter Zeitung Frankfurter newspaper
Franzensquelle Franzen well water
Frau Mrs.
Frauenchor women’s chorus
Frauenverein (or Frauen Verein) women’s club
Fräulein (abbreviated "Frl.") Miss, Misses
Freihafen duty free harbor
Freischiessen “free shooting,” a place where men shot at targets
Freischütz, Freyschütz The Marksman (opera by C.M. von Weber)
Fremden guest, or stranger, or foreigner
Fremdenzimmer guest room
Freund Fritz friend named Fritz
Freundschaft Friendship (New York City singing society)
Freundschaftshalle friendship hall (belonging to NY Friendship Singing Society)
Friedrichsruhe Bismarck's retirement residence
Froh(n)leichnamstag Corpus Christi Day
Frühmesse morning prayers, or matins
Fürst prince
Gabelfrühstück early lunch or brunch (literally, “fork breakfast”)
Galläpfel gall-nuts or oak apples
Gebrüder (abbreviated Geb.) brothers
Gartenlaube arbor (title of an illustrated family magazine)
Gäneschwanz “goose tail,” a food
Gedächtnisfeier memoral service
Gefäß vessel (blutgefäß = blood vessel)
Gefäß Wucherung vascular growth, tumor
Gefolge entourage
Geheimer Commerzienrath privy economic counselor
Geheimrat privy counselor
Gemälde Ausstellung exhibition of paintings (usually one word)
Gemischter Chor mixed chorus
Gemütlich pleasant, companionable
Generalversammlung general membership meeting
Gericht court
Gerichtsdirector court director
Gesangverein (Gesang Verein) singing society
Geschäftsführer business director
Geschichte des Klaviers history of the piano
Geselle journeyman
Gesellig Wissenschaftlicher Verein (Ges. Wiss. Verein, Gesellig Wiss.Verein, Gesellig Wissench. Verein, Ges. W. Verein) social scientific club
Gesellige(r) Abend members’ or social evening
Geselligkeit sociability
Gewerbeausstellung (Gewerbe Ausstellung) trade exhibition or trade show
Gewittersturm thunderstorm
Glatzkopf baldheaded person
Gliedwasser fluid in the joints
Glockenspiel bells, percussion instrument
Glückliche Paar happy or fortunate couple, usually engaged or wedding couples
Gnadenkirche Grace Church
Gnädige Frau my lady
Goldene Kreuz golden cross
Goldfuchs golden fox
Gratulation, gratuliere congratulation
Grippe flu
Grommen unknown meaning
Grosse Glocke large bell
Grosspapa Grandpa
Großfürst Grand Duke
Großstadtluft city air
Grundungsverein founding society
Grünes Gewölbe green vault
Gulden old monetary denomination
Guthaben assets or holdings
Haben assets
Halsschmerzen sore throat
hachen word of unknown meaning
Hammelfleisch mutton
Handelsgericht (Handels-gericht) commercial court for cases dealing with trade and commerce
Handelskammer Gericht Chamber of Commerce court
Handelsregister commercial trade register, list of companies doing business
Handelssachen business matters
Handelszeitung New York newspaper for trade
Harnsäure uric acid
Harzverein Harz Mountain Club
Harzwasser Harz Mountain water
Hasemann's Töchter Hasemann's daughters
Hasenpfeffer jugged hare, rabbit stew
Hasenpfeffer + Kartoffelklöse rabbit stew and potato dumplings
Hasenrücken cut of hare meat including the backbone (“hare-back”)
Hauptmann Captain in the army, Superior of the troops
Heiliges Abendmahl Holy Communion
Heinebund New York singing society
Heirathsnest marriage nest
Herringsalat herring salad
Herr Mr., master
Herrgottschnitzer v. Ammergau Ammergau Christ carver
Herr Werhwolf im Käfig Mr. Wehrwolf in the cage
Herzliche Gratulation “heartfelt congratulation”
Hexenschuss lower back pain, lumbago
Himmelfahrt ascent to heaven (short for Christi Himmelfahrt, the Christian feat of Christ’s Ascension)
Hirsch in der Tanzstunde deer at the dance class
Hirschensprung stag’s leap
Hirschkeule haunch of venison
Hoch C high C
Hoffmann's Erzählungen Tales of Hoffmann (Offenbach)
Hoflieferant supplier/manufacturer to a royal court
Hofmarschall court supervisor
Hofrat(h) a court (in the political sense) lawyer, Privy Counselor
Hollunderthee elderberry tea
Holzlager lumber yard
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Four Seasons Hotel
Huldigungseid oath of allegiance
Hugenotten Huguenots
Humoristische Abendunterhaltung humorous evening’s entertainment
Humoritische Studien humurous studies
Hunnenschlacht Battle of the Huns
Hymne an die Nacht Ode to the Night
Ich werde mir den Major einladen I will invite the major
Im Gefängnis in jail
Improvisator improviser
In blauer Nacht in a blue night
Inländer person belonging to a land, a resident, as opposed to foreigner
Insel island
Invaliden Park park in Berlin honoring disabled soldiers
Isabella Heimat Isabella Home
Jäger hunter
Jahreszeiten seasons
Jahrmarkt year or annual market or fair, with amusement rides
Jüdin Jewess
Junge Lieutnant young lieutenant
Jungfrau von Orleans Maiden of Orleans
Justizrat(h) a government lawyer, King’s Counsel
Johannis Kirchhof St. John Cemetery in Berlin
Kaiser Emperor
Kaiser Friedrich Quelle Emperor Frederick well water
Kaiser Josef II und die Schusters Tochter Emperor Josef II and the shoemaker's daughter
Kaiseressen meal in honor of the Emperor
Kaiserin Augusta Kirche Empress Augusta Church
Kaisersgeburtstag Kaiser's birthday
Kaisersaal imperial reception hall
Kais. Königl. Zollbeamter Imperial Customs Officer
Kammer chamber
Kammer für Handelssachen Chamber for Trade Affairs
Kammerherr chamberlain
Kapelle The Chapel, poem by L. Uhland (folk tune)
Kapellmeister orchestra conductor
Kartoffelklöse potato dumplings
Kasernen military barracks
Katzenjammer a hangover (literally, “cat yowling”)
Kaufmann v. Venedig Merchant of Venice
Kegelessen a bowling (club) dinner
Kegelklub bowling club
Kessell boiler
Kesselhaus boiler house
Kinderfest children's festival
Kindergärtnerin kindergarden teacher
Kindtaufe baptism of a child
Kirchenrath church council
Kirchhof churchyard, often where there is a cemetery
Kladde draft document
Kläffer barker
Klatsch idle gossip
Klatscherei gossip or scandal-mongering
Klavierauszug piano score of a work, orchestral parts arranged for piano
Kloster cloister or monastery
Kneipe saloon, bar, informal bar room as in Liederkranz building
Kneiperei drinking party
Kniekehle (WS wrote Kneekehle) the hollow behind the knee cap (knie = knee; kehle= hollow)
Knorpel cartilage
Kochbrunnen spring water
Kölnermännergesang Verein Cologne Men's Singing Club
Kölnische Zeitung name of Cologne newspaper
Kommerzienrath senior commercial or corporate counsel
Königsessen meal celebrating the King of the Königsschiessen
Königslieutnant Royal Lieutenant
Königsschiessen prize shooting, winner named "King" of the event
Krakel make noises, crow, like a rooster (idiomatic)
Krankenhaus hospital
Krankenwärterin nurse
Kränzchen a small group, party (literally, "little crown or garland”)
Krankenwärterin nurse
Kreuzer (abbreviated Kr.) pennies in the currency at the time
Kreuz Marriage Cross Marriage, a card game
Kriegerdenkmal a memorial to soldiers
Krieg im Frieden war during peace
Kuddeln hodge-podge of meats in a stew
Kulturhistoric Cultural History Founders
Kümmel caraway seeds
Kunstaustellung (WS wrote Kunstanstellung) art exhibition
Kunsthandlung art dealership
Künstler artist(s) (of all kinds, musical, dramatic, visual, etc.)
Künstlerfest artist festival
Kurhaus hotel where cures are taken
Kursaal assembly room in Kurhaus
Kuxen shares in mining companies
Landeseisenbahn state railroad
Landsgerichtsdirector state court director
Landwehr militia (official, not private), like the National Guard
Landwehr Verein militia club
Landwehrfrauen wives of militiamen
Landwehrfrauenverein women's militia club
Lästerschule School for Scoundrels
Lebende Bilder tableaux
Legen to lay, place
Leichenfeier funeral service
Leseprobe first reading rehearsal
Lese Verein reading club
Letzer Brief Last Letter
Liebesbann Love Spell
Lied song
Liedertafel New York singing society
Lobgesang Hymn of Praise, Symphony by F. Mendelssohn
Loos Lottery tickets (plural Lose)
Lotusblume lotus blossom
Lott ist todt Lott is dead
Lumpensammler rag collector
Lustige Vagabond Happy Vagabond
Magendrücken stomach ache
Majestät majesty
Majestät Beleidigung insult against the Emperor
Männerchor male chorus.
Mann im Monde man in the moon
Marktbrunn market fountain water
Marmorpalais marble palace
Maschinenbauer machine builder
Mask(en)kränzchen masked costume party
Masken Sitzung meeting about the masquerade party
Masseur, Massirer massage giver (male)
Masseuse massage giver (female)
Massieren to massage
Massirt, Massires massages
Massiver solid, massive
Mauls pout, grumble
Messe fair or exhibition
Metzelsuppe pudding soup with meat
Militär Vorlage military model
Moll minor music key
Mönch monk
Muehlbrunn, Mühlbrunn mill fountain water
Müller, Müller male miller, Miller, grind your wheat
Münchener a person from Munich
Musik music
Musikverein, Musik Verein music society
Musikzeitung music magazine
Mutterseelen allein totally alone
Muttersprache mother tongue
Nachfolger successors, those who follow after
Namenlosen Nameless (the name of a club)
Notizenbuch appointment book
Oberamtsrichter superior district court judge
Oberapellationsrath senior appeals-court counsel
Oekonom man who runs a restaurant
Oberamtsrichter chief district judge
Oberförster head forester
Osterhase the Easter bunny
Partitur musical score
Pasquill lampoon
Perret zeichnete literally “Perret signed” certificates (Perret was a juror at the Philadelphia Exposition)
Pferdebahn horse railroad
Pfingsten Pentecost, Christian festival
Pfingstmontag Monday after Pentecost Sunday in the Christian Church calendar.
Pflegehaus, Pflegeheim foster home, orphanage
Polterabend a noisy celebration of a marriage the evening before
Ponywagen pony cart
Positiv positive, positively
Preiskegeln prize bowling
Probe test, try-out, audition, rehearsal
Probepfeil literally "trial arrow," a farce by Oscar Blumenthal (1884)
Puffer (Kartoffelpuffer) potato pancakes
Rattenfänger rat-catcher (the legend of the Pied Piper)
Rechtsschutzverein legal protection society
Referent reporter or reviewer
Rehbraten roast venison
Reichsgericht a national court
Reise journey
Reisebureau travel agency
Revisions Auschuss revisions committee
Rittmeister Captain of cavalry
Rutschbahn slide or chute, sledding hill
Sängerfest festival of singers.
Saure Vietsbohnen pickled bean dish
Schattenbilder silhouettes
Schauspiel drama, stage play
Scheidung separation, divorce
Schleichend lingering
Schleuder to skid
Schlittenpartie sledding party, sleighing party
Schmierkäse soft, spreadable cheese
Schmalbruch smal break, minor mishap
Schneewittchen Snow White
Schneiderung a move in Skat, (schneiden = cut); to make a large cut in an opponent’s hand
Schnellzug fast (express) train
Schnupfen sniffles, head cold
Schurre a chute or slide, often to slide logs down a hillside
Schüttelfrost shivers
Schützenzelt building housing a shooting group (literally, “Shooting tent”)
Schwab, Schwabenländer inhabitant of Schwabenland, territory centered around Stuttgart
Schwaneflügel swan’s wing
Schwarzmus black sauce
Schweinigel epithet for filthy person or filthy talker (literally “pig-hedgehog”)
Sect, Sekt champagne
Sedanfeier celebration of Prussian victory in the battle at Sedan, France
Seilbahn cable railway, funicular
Siegel seal, official symbol, sometimes a closure of a house
Sitzung meeting
Sommernachtsfest summer night’s festival
Sonntagsblatt Sunday edition, also the name of a newspaper
Spanische Wand a folding screen (literally, “Spanish wall")
Staatsanwalt government prosecutor, DA
Stadtbahn city transit system
Stadtsanwalt city attorney
Stahlblech sheet steel
Stahlbrunnen name brand for a drinking water
Ständchen serenade
Stiftung foundation, founding
Stiftungsfest a celebration of the founding of an institution.
Stimmführer literally “voice leader,” especially used to mean “section leader” in a chorus, such as 1st tenor, 2nd bass, etc.
Stimmstock the pinblock (British “wrestplank”) in a piano, the stout block where the tuning pins are
Strafgelder fines
Straße (Strasse) street
Statuten by-laws
Stumpfigel loosely translates to “stupid hedgehog”
Stützen der Gesellschaft support or backbone of the community
Stützflügel small grand piano, “baby grand”
Tante Aunt
Taufpate godfather
Taufschein baptismal certificate
Termin a fixed date, e.g. for a trial
Todtenmaske death mask
Trauung betrothal, marriage
Trinkgeld (pl. Trinkgelder) tip (literally “money for serving the drinks"; "drink money”)
Um die Welt around the world
Urin urine
Urlaub vacation, leave
Verein society, group, union, club
Vereinssitzung society, club meeting
Verhärtung hardening
Verlobungsfest engagement party
Verordentlichte Generalversammlung regularly scheduled general meeting
Verstärkungen strengtheners
Verwaltungsrat(h) managing director or administrative committee
Veteranen veterans, long time members of a group
Vogelschiessen literally, "bird shooting."
Vollmacht power of attorney
Vorlesung lecture
Vorstand executive committee.
Vorstandssitzung meeting of an executive committee, (Sitzung = a “sitting”)
Vortrag a lecture or presentation
Wadenkrampf leg or calf cramp
Weihnachtslieder Christmas songs
Wennkrampf Wehenkrampf a type of cramp
Werfgelder (Werfen = to throw; Gelder = money) Throw-money means put it on the table when betting
Wildpret likely a variant spelling of Wildbret, venison
Wirt(h)schaft a pub, bar, restaurant, or inn
Wissenschaftlicher Verein Scientific Club
Wucherung a gowth on the body
Zappel letting someone wait for an answer
Zahnrad Bahn a cog-wheel railway
Zeigefinger the index finger (literally, “pointing finger”)
Zug train (or stop on an organ or piano)