A Term of Endearment?

LeonFri, 17 Oct 2008 15:57:12 -0500
I ran across a German child's book in a bookstore recently and bought it. There's a term in the book that I just can't quite grasp the meaning of. Here is an exerpt:
"Die Tauben-Oma stellt den Teller mit den Pfannkuchen auf den Tisch und setzt sich hin." ... "Die sind heute besonders gross", sagt sie vorwurfsvoll. "Riesenpfannkuchen sind das. Tauben-Oma, du hast geschummelt."

Ok, what I can come up with for "Tauben-Oma" is either deaf grandma or dove grandma. I can't figure for the life of me why a small child would be addressing her grandma as, "Deaf grandma, you cheated." Seems a little crass and it also seems from the content of the book grandma can hear quite well.

Anyone?
NathalieSun, 19 Oct 2008 19:36:28 -0500
Hi there,

the term does seem a little strange, however it's not referring to the grandma being deaf, as that would be "taube Oma" or "Taub-Oma" (not correct grammatically, but as a name it's alright). "Tauben-Oma" must be referring to "dove grandma". Does the story shed some more light on why the grandma might be called that? Does she feed the pigeons or something like that? The book might be part of a series where perhaps one of the earlier books explain the name?
Sorry I can't help, but I have never come across the term "Tauben-Oma" and it is certainly not very common.

Good luck.
Total posts 14727 • Total topics 3503 • Total members 19060 • Our newest member mohammed y

Try Rocket German for Free

Sign up for your Free, No-obligation Trial
and see how well Rocket German works for you!
No Credit Card Required

YES! I want to try Rocket German for free!



This is a private and fully protected mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time.
You can review our Privacy Policy here.

That's right, sign up now and you'll be able to see just how well my Rocket German Premium course works for you!

Your free trial gives you instant online access to a selection of Rocket German Premium interactive audio lessons and German language and culture lessons.

You'll be amazed at how much German you know after just a few days!

4.5 out of 5

"Rocket Languages is
our Editors' Choice for
language-learning"

PC MAG

Yours sincerely,

Paul Weber

Paul Weber
Rocket German

05-24-12 As seen in The New York Times, PC Mag Editors' Choice, Trust Guard - Security Verified, Better Business Bureau, 60 Day - Money back Guarantee Better Business Bureau Trust Guard - Security Verified
Libros Media Ltd - Copyright 2004-2012 | support@rocketlanguages.com
USA: 8721 Santa Monica Blvd #1229, Los Angeles, CA 90069-4057, USA | Phone: +1-310-862-1460
Asia/Pacific: 2-1008 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand | Phone: +64-3-384-6350