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?

Fascinating, 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?

In 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