[Aaron Poochigian]

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

[Stephen Hampton]

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.

[John Isbell]

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

[Michael Cantor]

Everything depends on context.

[RCL]

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

[Aaron Poochigian]

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).

[John Isbell]

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

[Aaron Poochigian]

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

[John Isbell]

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

[Stephen Hampton]

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.