üsselig

See also: usselig

German

Alternative forms

• usselig (more Rhenish, while üsselig is more Westphalian)

Etymology

From western German dialects (Ripuarian, Low Franconian, Westphalian). Compare Central Franconian Osel, Ussel (“hardship; junk; bad weather”). The also existing adjective onösel (meaning among other things “stupid, naïve”) is probably related to Dutch onnozel, but its connection with the above Osel may be secondary since the Dutch word is from a stem with initial n-. Another possible connection is with Middle High German usele, üsele (“ashes”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʏzəlɪç/

Adjective

üsselig (strong nominative masculine singular üsseliger, comparative üsseliger, superlative am üsseligsten)

1. (colloquial, regional, western Germany) shabby, unattractive (e.g. of clothes, furniture)

   Den üsseligen Mantel kannste ma’ wegschmeißen.

   You should throw out that shabby jacket sometime.

2. (colloquial, regional, western Germany) wet and cold, unpleasant (of weather)

   Bei dem üsseligen Wetter geh ich nich’ raus.

   I won’t leave the house with this unpleasant weather.