this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2025
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I love how the Germans use zeuge.
Tools? Those are work things. (Werkzeuge)
Airplanes? You know, flying things! (Flugzeuge)
Vehicles? Duh, the driving things! (Fahrzeuge)
Why make new word when two (or six) words will do?
I think it's fun how Zeug has gone from a technical meaning to a cute one.
The current meaning of Zeug is something like stuff or unimportant things.
It used to mean kit, gear or equipment though, which makes a lot of sense and is still visible in words like Zeugwart (equipment manager of a sports team or army).
With that knowledge, Werkzeug would just be a tool kit.