Knutschkugel

[AndrewG]

There's no such thing as bad knowledge so, from a North American glassfibre caravan forum (don't ask):

My (German) mother-in-law informs me that the German term for little trailers like my new 13' Burro is Knutschkugel.

This was originally used to describe the old BMW Isetta, but is now used for tiny vehicles generally. It means "cozy coach" or more crassly, "french-kissing sphere/wagon/bubble/pod." Meaning: if you're sharing that thing with somebody, we hope you know them pretty well!

Anyway, thought you all would like to know.

Of course North American manners does require very polite public language, so maybe the British English translation is 'snogpod', though 'French-kissing sphere' does sound sweet.

[richard]

praps its just a reference to the cramped position !

ach mein nuts are schkugelled !  apologies to those whose language is more polite than English

[Rob Dobie]

Taken from a German Web site.

Eine "Knutschkugel" kann entweder ein ziemlich kleines Auto oder einen netten kleinen Mann oder kleine Frau mit ein paar Pfunde zu viel werden.
Sie können auch den Begriff als Kosename für einen geliebten Menschen.


German to English translation

A "bubble car" can either be a fairly small car or a cute little man or little woman with a few pounds too many.
You can also use the term as a term of endearment for a loved one.  


So whose partner is a Bubblecar?  

[Peelpower]

Taken from a German Web site.

Eine "Knutschkugel" kann entweder ein ziemlich kleines Auto oder einen netten kleinen Mann oder kleine Frau mit ein paar Pfunde zu viel werden.
Sie können auch den Begriff als Kosename für einen geliebten Menschen.


German to English translation

A "bubble car" can either be a fairly small car or a cute little man or little woman with a few pounds too many.
You can also use the term as a term of endearment for a loved one.  


So whose partner is a Bubblecar?  

Perfect Rob, and i also like the word snogpod 

[Oceanix]

Taken from a German Web site.

Eine "Knutschkugel" kann entweder ein ziemlich kleines Auto oder einen netten kleinen Mann oder kleine Frau mit ein paar Pfunde zu viel werden.
Sie können auch den Begriff als Kosename für einen geliebten Menschen.


German to English translation

A "bubble car" can either be a fairly small car or a cute little man or little woman with a few pounds too many.
You can also use the term as a term of endearment for a loved one.  


So whose partner is a Bubblecar?  

Well, Knutschkugel indeed refers to small cars like Isetta or Fiat 500, however, bubble car is not the translation. Bubble car would translate to something like "Blasenauto"..."Knutschkugel means it is of small dimensions and has such a nice appearance that you like to kiss it (Knutsch = kiss in the sense of lovely looking)... It has become a general term for small cars from the 50ies and 60ies.

[Rob Dobie]

Here's the site.

http://www.sprachnudel.de/woerterbuch/knutschkugel

Press your translate key.

[richard]

hi rob do i have a translate key on my laptop ?where would i find one ?

[Rob Dobie]

Hi Richard, Sorry I should have typed "click Translate on your Google tool bar".  Rob

I've google translated it for you.

*********************

Bubble car

A "bubble car" can either be a fairly small car or a cute little man or little woman with a few pounds too many.
You can also use the term as a term of endearment for a loved one.

[Oceanix]

Here's the site.

http://www.sprachnudel.de/woerterbuch/knutschkugel

Press your translate key.

Well,being German, I do not speak English but understand German quite well 
Computer translators are no better than those professionals programming these...
Maybe they have bubble cars as partners in real life, who knows....

[Big Al]

."Knutschkugel means it is of small dimensions and has such a nice appearance that you like to kiss it (Knutsch = kiss in the sense of lovely looking)...

Has this anything to do with the infamous Scottish Kiss which is knutsching someone in the face? I have known my partner Bubblecar to do this regularly, especially Trienkels. Perhaps I need to join 'Battered Bubblers' the self help group for bruised bubblers who are not in a good relationship with there bubblecar.

Of course there is the Snuggy microcar, is that naming anything to do with Snogpod, which is a good word. Reminds me of driving behind Nick and Ant in their early Goggo with a small rear screen around when they got engaged. It was a mobile engagement card and picture of contentment. A long time ago now but our silly cars sometimes bring more to us than just ownership so the description is not out of place.