Pennsylvania Dutch Idioms and Expressions (English)

Do you think it will make rain? (Denkshu es gebt raiga?)

Don't ax (ask) me foolish questions.

Don't forget to slop (feed the garbage to) the wootz's (piggies).

Everything is in apple-pie order.  (Everything is in fine condition.)

Extinguish the light!  (Moch's licht ous!)

Fritzie, come in to eat.  Ma and Pa are on the table and Johnny has et himself already.

Give me some dippy (gravy, dressing)!  I like dippy bread.  It can also be bread used when eating sunny side up eggs.

Haven't seen you in a coon's age (a long, long time).

He a crusty old crow-bait (crabby, fussy old man).

He blabs (tells) everything he hears.

He makes so funny (he is so comical).  (Ar mocht so shpossich.)

He scared me like the old Harry (devil).

He's so busy he hardly ever sits (idles).

Her baby slobbers so (has too much spittle running from the mouth).

How long is your off (vacation)?  (Wie long bisht op?)

I ain't got wet feet.  I have on my gums. (rubbers, overshoes, or boots)

I bach (batch) myself.  ( I am a bachelor; I live alone.)

I go out and shoo (scare) those darn chickens out of our yard.

I hear them people live over by the ridge.

I must change around (a change of clothing).

I plumb (entirely) forgot.

I want out, or in.

I was scattered out (worked out among the neighbors, for a living and a home).

I wish you'd come here and brush me off.

I'm fetching a pig I had bestowed (a gift).

I've got it so in my back.  (back health problems)

If you don't get away from under my window with your darn loud talking, I'll douse (drench) you with water.

If you let me come over once maybe you could learn to take on with me for good.

If you snuffle (hunt around more or less clandestinely) now you won't get none of it when the time comes.

It makes a body (a person) tired to hear such goin's on.

It wasn't in print anymore in 2000.

It's raining a'ready; or, she went to bed a'ready (surprising soon, before it was expect).

Just now, I'm working for a dead-horse (work for which I'd been paid in advance).

Let a body (person or me) through.

Let me see it once.  When we get moved once.  I was in love with her once.

Make (close) the door shut.  (Moch de deer tzu.)

Make out the light.

Me and Becky are goin' to be hitched (married) some of these days.

Mom says I doesn't (dare not) go out to play.

Mrs. Schmaltz has such a nice ruck (rug); and she mate (made) it all herself.

My nose itches like a bugger (tickling, annoying feeling).

My uncle he took some senna tea with the laves pulled down, and did he have the skitters (diarrhea)?  The leaves, if pulled upward, cause one to vomit.

Outen the light. (Turn off the lights.)

Perhaps we get a gust (thunder-storm).

She is one of those nose-high (snobby) people.

She said she never saw such a diddler (one who fools away their time).

She was all het up (excited or cross) because some one tramped through the flowerpbeds.

She'd rather be married to him as (than) to keep house for him.

Such notions only bad boys get into their heads.

That way I ain't.

The candy is all. ('Es tzooker is al.)

The ginger-ale is all but the soda is yet.

The girl came home late at night and got jesse (literally "hell").

The kivers (bed covers) don't always lay nice.

They slung (threw) me out.

We're getting company and I was fetched (sent for).

What does this give, a parade or what?  (Wos get's; en parad od'r wos?)

When the father went away from home by train, two daughters wanted to go with him to the station to meet him go (see him off).

Where you goes mit (with or by) yourself alone?

You are all the time such a bodderation (bother or nuisance).

You are such a lunk-head (dim-wit).

You mind (recall) old Fenstermacher?  He was at Ensminger's still (formerly).

You'ns ain't the only pepples (people) on the peach (beach).

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