Pennsylvania Dutch is widely spoken in the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities. With a variety of words and phrases to know, the World War II Generation was the last generation that widely spoke Pennsylvania Dutch (which is actually a German dialect, and varies across regions of the US). Here is a look at some good Pennsylvania Dutch sayings to know.
Alle Daag rumhersitze macht em faul. – Sitting all day makes one lazy.
Der Keenich muss mer erhehe. – On must exalt the King.
Der Siffer hot zu viel geleppert. – The drunkard had just sipped too much.
Die sunn is am unnergeh. – The sun is setting.
Die Zeit fer in Bett is nau! – The time to go to bed is now.
Duh’s uff die Rechning! – Put it on the bill.
En Schtich in Zeit is neine wart schpaeder naus. – A stitch in time, saves nine.
Er hot en iwwerflissich lewe gfaahre. – He lived the abundant life.
Er hot net der glaawe. – He doesn’t keep up the faith.
Er is en faehicher schreiner. – He is an able carpenter.
Er is ganz ab. – He’s quite out of his mind.
Er is weenich ad. – He’s a little off in the head.
Er kann vun wunners net saage. – Speech fails him.
Ferwas bischt allfatt so schtarrkeppich? – Why are you so stubborn?
Gott segen eich. – God bless you.
Ich eeger ihn so viel. – I owe his so much.
Ich hab en aker grummbiere geblanst. – I planted an acre of potatoes.
Ich hab nix dagege. – I don’t object.
Ich saag dank am disch. – I offer thanks at the table.
Mer muss uff sich selwer achtgewwe. – One has to take care of himself.
Mir gleiche die Amische brieder bsuche. – We enjoy visiting our Amish brethren.
Mir hen Englischer bsuch ghadde. – We had non Amish visitors.
Nix hot sich verregt, net jewens en Mause. – Nothing stirred, not even a mouse.
Sell is nix as baeffzes. – That is nothing but triffling talk.
Sell kann ennichpepper duh. – Anyone can do that
Setz der disch. – Set the table.
Sie Batt nemme duhn ich gern. – I’ll willingly take his part.
Sie hot die hosse aa. – She wears the pants in the family.
Sie hot die Kinner hiede misse. – She had to mind the children.
Sie hot sich widder verschlofe. – She overslept again.
Sie scheie sich vun haddiArewat. – They shrink from hard work.
Sis alles hendich eigericht. – All is handily arranged.
Sis unvergleichlich hees dohin. – It’s terribly hot in here.
Was der schinner is letz? – What in the world is wrong?
Here is a look at at a video from a native Pennsylvania Dutch speaker on some common Pennsylvania Dutch expressions and their meanings:
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