Spendierhosen

German

FWOTD – 11 June 2014

Etymology

From spendieren (to be generous) + Hosen (trousers). Literally "generosity trousers" or "treating trousers".

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʃpɛnˈdiːɐ̯ˌhoːzən/

Noun

Spendierhosen (plural only)

  1. (idiomatic) A metaphorical representation of a feeling of generosity; literally “generosity trousers”.
    Er hat heute die Spendierhosen an; er hat mir ein Auto gekauft!
    [literally] He's wearing generosity trousers today; he bought me a car!
    [idiomatically] He's feeling generous today; he bought me a car!
    • 2000 October 20, Die Ärzte, Runter mit den Spendierhosen, Unsichtbarer!
      [literally] Down with your generosity trousers, invisible one!
      [idiomatically] Show what you've got [runter mit den Hosen] / stop being so generous [Spendierhosen], invisible one!
    • 2012 May 16, Zweite Breg-Querung bis Jahresende baureif, Südkurier
      Diese Vorhersage gab die Verwaltung gestern dem Gemeinderat, nachdem das Land überraschend große Spendierhosen angezogen hat.
      [literally] The management gave the local government this prediction yesterday, after the region pulled on some surprisingly big generosity trousers.
      [idiomatically] The management gave the local government this prediction yesterday, after the region offered surprisingly generous funding.

Synonyms

  • Spendierbüchsen

Further reading

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