There are very special Bavarian terms that are only known to the rest of the republic on very specifically Bavarian occasions. Derblecken is one of those things. The word is used every year when politicians are given a mocking speech and a musical performance at Munich’s Nockherberg during Lent. According to Duden it is derblecken a weak verb, the Old Bavarians pronounce it “dalecka”. It means: to criticize mockingly, with some rudeness being taken into account. Linguists derive its origin from the verb “blecken”, which is most popular in connection with teeth. Because when you laugh, which is the aim of ridiculing politicians, your teeth are often visible (and sometimes even your tongue), the word fits well with the goings-on on the hill in the Au-Haidhausen district. Verbs with the prefix “der-” are a Bavarian specialty: derlaufen, dersaufen, derbröseln. Some linguists read from this that this is intended to emphasize a certain finality in the content of the statement. This only applies to a limited extent when it comes to derblecking. What Luise Kinseher, who once appeared as Mama Bavaria on the Nockherberg, applies here: The ridicule must be such that you can drink a strong beer together afterwards.
Derblecken – where does the Bavarian verb actually come from? – Munich
