German question

[Fake Boris]

Does the word 'canaille' exist in German ?

Can there be any sexual connotation to it, either in its modern or archaic sense (19th century) ?

If any German here has got a 'good', literary dictionary, he would do me a great favor if he verified this.

[ElTigre]

Yes, Kanaille/Canaille: either a group of 'lowly' people (mob, riffraff, rabble), or a single person (scoundrel, villain, beggar). No sexual connotation at all.

I've encountered the word only once in German literature, in Thomas Mann's "Die Buddenbrooks". The Senator voices his contempt for the working class, and calls them Canaille.

The word isn't used anymore.

[Fake Boris]

Thanks

[BlackCat]

There is a scandinavian version "kanalje" with same meaning as ElTigre says.

[Fake Boris]

Actually, I'm commenting a text where Nietzsche calls Rousseau a 'canaille' (I checked the German original on this).

My hypothesis won't work, but it might be better this way, I would have revolutionized Nietzsche's interpretations forever with that.

[BlackCat]

Well, sorry, no sex, but at least in scandic it has a positive note - something like "yeah, he is a villain/crook/bandit, but he does it with some style".

[ElTigre]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Actually, I'm commenting a text where Nietzsche calls Rousseau a 'canaille' (I checked the German original on this).

My hypothesis won't work, but it might be better this way, I would have revolutionized Nietzsche's interpretations forever with that.

I can see why you were hoping for a sexual connotation...

Well, sorry, no sex, but at least in scandic it has a positive note - something like "yeah, he is a villain/crook/bandit, but he does it with some style".

Not in German, to the contrary. Kanaille describes someone who definitely lacks style, pride or culture.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by ElTigre
Not in German, to the contrary. Kanaille describes someone who definitely lacks style, pride or culture.

Digging a bit, it seems to have changed in time - originally not so nice but in the late use of it it has softened (that is some 100 years ago - it's not exactly a word in the youths vocabulary )

[Dauphin]

I've only heard of Canaille in the meaning of "Little Miss Naughty".

No sexual connotations, just a childrens' book.

[Provost Harrison]

Wo ist der toiletten, bitte?

[Ecthy]

I see the German question has been answered once and for all

[Provost Harrison]

It's not the German question I fear, it's the German solution

[Heresson]

"kanalia" in polish

[Barnabas]

Canalla in Spanish

+1

[BeBMan]

Herr Ober, ein Bier, aber zackzack!