February 28, 2004, 20:45
jerry thomasBlitzableiter ???
My neighbor, Werner, spent his childhood in war-torn Düsseldorf in the late thirties and early forties.
My other neighbor, Daniel, is a surfer from California. Daniel has an uncommon ability to soothe hostilities between quarreling individuals.
Therefore, Werner says Daniel is a
Blitzableiter, which he translates as "lightning rod."
Are there German speakers or scholars here who can confirm or discuss the use of
Blitzableiter in referring to human beings?
February 28, 2004, 21:02
KallehFascinating, Jerry. I am anxious to hear from Bob on this...or maybe jheem. I don't think we have a word for this, do we?
February 29, 2004, 03:22
Richard EnglishIn England we don't have lightning rods; we have lighting CONDUCTORS. They do the same job, though.
(Incidentally, we don't have lightning bugs, either)
Richard English