heidewitzka

German

Etymology

Popularized by the 1936 Kölsch song Heidewitzka, Herr Kapitän by Karl Berbuer (also known as the Müllemer Bötche). Ultimately in all likelihood onomatopoeic. It seems unclear whether the word was coined by Berbuer or already existed before. Many commentators think that the phrase Heidewitzka, Herr Kapitän (roughly “Huzzah, Mr. Captain”) was a covert parody of Heil Hitler.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌhaɪ̯dəˈvɪtska/

Interjection

heidewitzka!

1. huzzah!, come on! (used to incite to vigorous action)

   So Jungs, heidewitzka! Das schaffen wir noch!

   All right lads, come on! We’ll still win this!

2. bam!, wham! (used as a praising reaction to such action)

   Heidewitzka! Was für ein Schuss!

   Bam! What a shot!