GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY: AUßEINANDERPOSAMENTIEREN

Two Berliner Jungen by reading and/or außposamentieren. Photo by Willy Römer via Kunstbibliothek Berlin.

Außeinanderposamentieren means to take something (often an idea) apart to study it in detail or to explain. It’s a word you would have typically heard in Berlin and Brandenburg, although other areas of Germany (like Saxony) created their own derivatives of it.

Posamenten is an old word for trimmings - decorative textile elements such as tassels, braids or trims used on clothing and furniture.

Because they are often quite delicate and elaborate, once they get entangled, you have to be very careful and precise not to damage them while disentangling again. So, you must work slowly and with great care.

Just as you should when you are studying something complex. Like a tax return form or a letter from the local court. In both cases, prior to answering, Außeinanderposamentieren is highly recommended.

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