zappenduster
German edit
Etymology edit
Compound of Zappen (“cone”) + duster (“dark”). The first component points to Zapfenstreich (“curfew, last post”), but may also be based on Hebrew צָפוֹן (tsafón, “north, hence midnight”). Both words have probably contributed, it being unknown which is original and which secondary.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
zappenduster (strong nominative masculine singular zappendusterer, not comparable)
- (colloquial) completely dark, pitch-black (night)
- 2017, Sven Regener, Wiener Straße[1], Kiepenheuer & Witsch, →ISBN:
- Die Tür fiel zu und es war zappenduster.
- The door fell shut and it was pitch black.
Declension edit
Positive forms of zappenduster (uncomparable)
Further reading edit
- “zappenduster” in Duden online