This week's theme
Words borrowed from German

This week's words
wunderkind
gemutlichkeit
blitzkrieg
kulturkampf
kaffeeklatsch

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(kool-TOOR-kahmpf)

MEANING:

noun: A cultural conflict, especially one religious in nature.

ETYMOLOGY:

From German Kulturkampf, from Kultur (culture) + Kampf (conflict). Earliest documented use: 1879.

NOTES:

The original Kulturkampf took place in the 1880s between the German government and the Roman Catholic Church over control of education, laws related to marriage, etc.

USAGE:

"Rabbi Michael Melchior: 'The settlers have succeeded in making [the withdrawal] a story of Judaism versus emptiness. They have turned it into a Kulturkampf.'"
Waiting for a Miracle; The Economist (London, UK); Aug 15, 2005.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: