Chris happened to run across the expression Glückspiltz! the other day. Literally translated, it means “You lucky mushroom”. It’s used like the English expression “You lucky devil”, or “You lucky dog.”
As always when I run across colloquial expressions in other languages, my first thought is why the heck would they use something like mushrooms in this kind of expression? That’s immediately followed by my next thought: e.g., why the heck do we use devil or dog in the English expression?
Although, I can kind of see how a dog could be lucky: he’s lucky when he’s got a soft bed, a nice house, some good, gourmet food, etc.
But a mushroom? What would make a mushroom have a lucky life? Must be something about Germany mushrooms I have yet to learn. I’ll keep you posted if I ever figure this out.
In regency England a dandy was referred to as a mushroom if I remember my Georgette Heyer novels correctly. They didn’t live a hard life either.
Happy New year to you both and I will be waiting for your explanation.
“Lucky mushroom” could be an underhanded double-entendre. Mushrooms grow in manure, so lots of manure makes for a lucky mushroom.
Was it originally used ironically?
Oh, the Glückspily (be carefull with the spelling) is a Fliegenpilz and you can read more about the different Glücksbringer für Silvester here, for example: http://www.asklubo.com/de/unterhaltung/glucksbringer-zu-silvester-und-deren-bedeutung
Me, I prefer the Glücksschwein 🙂