Köbes

Central Franconian

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin Jacobus. Cognate to English Jacob, James, German Jakob. A common story explaining the second meaning is that it refers to pilgrims returning from travels to the grave of Saint Jacob, however it is more likely that it originally referred to a certain person who has been forgotten over time.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈkøː²bəs]
• Hyphenation: Kö‧bes

Noun

Köbes m (plural Köbesse)

1. A nickname for Jakob
2. A waiter, especially the head waiter, in a traditional pub.

   Dä Köbes mäht jään ene Wetz, es mänchmol jet spetz, doch immer aläät, un es et och spät.

   The waiter likes to joke, he’s sometimes a bit sharp, but always lively, even when it is late. (Popular rhyme, given by Adam Wrede)

Usage notes

• Köbes as a name is rare, due to the widespread use as a job title; instead the un-umlauted form Kobes is more common.

Further reading

• Wikipedia article for Köbes (in German)