Dirndl or Poplin?
 

Which word do you prefer? Dirndl or Poplin? (Sorry--no context--which word do you prefer in and of itself.)

Well, a Bavarian lady dressed in her Dirndl could have made it with Poplin fabric, or bought it. Guess it would depend on who, or what, I was dressing up, or down.

In absolute terms, I enjoy the sound and look of the word dirndl. Poplin seems more predictable. But then I do German stuff, I'm acclimatized. I'm also quite fond of the word Lederhosen (oh and hey, I like Dirndl with an initial cap).

Cheers,
John

Everything depends on context.

I’d prefer to see
Dagmar in drindl
Than Poppins in poplin

Michael Cantor, won't you come play with the other kids? Which of the words do you like more?

Yes, it does seem that "Dirndl" is winning. I mean, wtf kind of word is that--four consonants in a row?

I see the word has its origin in a very unfortunate time in German history:

Dirndl:
1937, from German dialectal diminutive of dirne "girl" (in dirndlkleid "peasant dress"), from a diminutive of Middle High German dierne "maid," from Old High German thiorna, which is related to Old English þegn (see thane).

Hmm. Well, deutsche Tracht is making a comeback among the young these days, in Bavaria in particular. You also see it in the Munich Hofbraeuhaus where Hitler launched his putsch. I didn't know the word was coined in 1937; the outfits go back to the C19th as far as I know, if not earlier.

Cheers,
John

Uh-oh. "Dirndl" has suggested a correlation between resurgence of traditional dress and anti-immigrant sentiment. "Dirndl" seemed so innocent. Now I prefer "Poplin."

The correlation is certainly possible, but a) Germany remains about the most immigrant-friendly country in Europe and b) the place you most run into anti-immigrant and far-right activity in Germany today is in the former East Germany, for various reasons. Bavaria is in the West. We have a Kazakh family member who's been in Munich several years with no problems.

Cheers,
John

After more careful consideration I prefer Dirndl. I like its pronunciation for potential hillbilly love lyrics: Wear your derndl darling and we'll go a sparkin'. Leave your papal broadcloth hangin', Sugar; all that work is just a bugger-- Lover.