German word

Volksmund

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfɔlksˌmʊnt/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncommon parlance

Example

Im Volksmund wird das Haus Hexenhaus genannt.

In common parlance, the house is called the Witch House.

Illustration for Volksmund (common parlance)

More examples

Im Volksmund werden prominente Politiker oft mit spöttischen Beinamen bedacht.

In common parlance, prominent politicians are often given mocking nicknames.

Core concept

A name passed from speaker to speaker in everyday conversation, alongside the official name.

Common phrases

  • im allgemeinen Volksmund

    in common parlance

  • im Volksmund gebräuchlich

    common in popular usage

Similar words

Bezeichnung: A commonly used name for identifying a person, thing, or place.
Spitzname: A short, informal name given for familiarity or distinction.

Definition in German

Ein im allgemeinen Sprachgebrauch verbreiteter, nicht offizieller Name oder Ausdruck für etwas.

Word origin

Volksmund combines Volk, 'people', and Mund, 'mouth', using the mouth as a metaphor for popular speech.

Usage tips

  • The fixed phrase im Volksmund uses dative singular after in, with im meaning in dem.

Opposites

  • Amtsspracheofficial languagenoun
  • Hochsprachestandard languagenoun

Word lists with this word