Last week the daycare children dug out an old videotape, The Big Comfy Couch. Don't worry, I will spare you the details of its compelling and thought-provoking plot...
The salient point is that while the tape was on, I heard a word I haven't heard since I was seven or eight years old...
Wednesday, January 2. 2008
And Now A Word From The Past
Snickelfritz.
Not only had I not heard it, but I hadn't even thought of the word since then.
Even though on the tape it was a clown speaking, when I heard the word, I heard it in my dad's voice. Dad used to call me Snickelfritz.
I never had any idea what it meant. I suppose I thought it was a nonsense word he'd invented. But now, having heard it from another source altogether, I felt compelled to consult the (sometimes) trusty internet to discover its meaning. Although I didn't come across any official definition, I did glean that it is a German term of endearment, basically meaning little mischief-maker. Hmm...and his mom's maiden name was German...
Uh-huh, that sounds exactly like Dad. This is the man who would reach out and give me a little swat on the butt as I passed by him, and when I'd ask, "What was that for?" he'd respond, "That was for nothing...now don't do anything." Of course it was accompanied by a grin and a mischievous look in his eye. It was all part of his false-gruffness style of showing affection to his children. None of us were fooled for a moment...the guy was a marshmallow when it came to us!
The warmest feeling flooded over me upon hearing that pet name again! I always assumed it was affectionate...but it's nice to know what it really meant. I'm comforted to know that it didn't mean "one who is not so bright," or, "the one we wish we could send back!"
Thanks, Dad, for letting me be your little mischief-maker...
I am Snickelfritz, and I am proud.
Not only had I not heard it, but I hadn't even thought of the word since then.
Even though on the tape it was a clown speaking, when I heard the word, I heard it in my dad's voice. Dad used to call me Snickelfritz.I never had any idea what it meant. I suppose I thought it was a nonsense word he'd invented. But now, having heard it from another source altogether, I felt compelled to consult the (sometimes) trusty internet to discover its meaning. Although I didn't come across any official definition, I did glean that it is a German term of endearment, basically meaning little mischief-maker. Hmm...and his mom's maiden name was German...
Uh-huh, that sounds exactly like Dad. This is the man who would reach out and give me a little swat on the butt as I passed by him, and when I'd ask, "What was that for?" he'd respond, "That was for nothing...now don't do anything." Of course it was accompanied by a grin and a mischievous look in his eye. It was all part of his false-gruffness style of showing affection to his children. None of us were fooled for a moment...the guy was a marshmallow when it came to us!
The warmest feeling flooded over me upon hearing that pet name again! I always assumed it was affectionate...but it's nice to know what it really meant. I'm comforted to know that it didn't mean "one who is not so bright," or, "the one we wish we could send back!"
Thanks, Dad, for letting me be your little mischief-maker...
I am Snickelfritz, and I am proud.
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My grandpa calls most of my generation snickelfritzs also, never really knew what i ment till last year when my german teacher said it was a garden gnome. then my new teacher this year said it was a mischevious kid or a little rascel. turns out my great grandparents (from germany) called my grandpa that...
#1
casia
on
2008-04-29 17:22
(Reply)
In my recent decluttering of a walk-in closet spare bedroom I found something precious that I will share with you momentarily. This item has elicited a flood of memories and has inspired me to write about my relationship with some significant people in m
Tracked: Mar 05, 16:38
In my recent decluttering of a walk-in closet spare bedroom I found something precious that I will share with you momentarily. This item has elicited a flood of memories and has inspired me to write about my relationship with some significant people
Tracked: Mar 05, 20:29