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Germany's longest compound word consigned to history Germany's longest compound word consigned to history
(about 4 hours later)
Mark Twain said they were not words, but "alphabetic processions … marching majestically across the page": the compound words the German language uses to capture precise or complex meanings, which are a cause of irritation for novices and a delight for those who manage to master the tongue. Mark Twain said they were not words, but "alphabetic processions … marching majestically across the page": the compound words the German language uses to capture precise or complex meanings, which are a cause of irritation for novices and a delight for those who manage to master the tongue.
But one compound noun has proved too much for German bureacrats, who have decided to ditch what had been celebrated as the longest word in the German tongue. Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz has now been confined to the linguistic history books by authorities in Mecklenburg Vorpommern. But one compound noun has proved too much for German bureaucrats, who have decided to ditch what had been celebrated as the longest word in the German tongue. Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz has now been confined to the linguistic history books by authorities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The word, which means "the law concerning the delegation of duties for the supervision of cattle marking and the labelling of beef", was introduced in 1999, during the BSE crisis. It was given the abbreviation RkReÜAÜG – which was itself unpronouncable. The word, which means "the law concerning the delegation of duties for the supervision of cattle marking and the labelling of beef", was introduced in 1999 during the BSE crisis. It was given the abbreviation RkReÜAÜG – which was itself unpronouncable.
But the 63-letter word was deemed no longer necessary after the EU halted BSE-testing on healthy cattle at abattoirs. The big question they are asking is which word will now take its place. "It was until now the longest authentic word in German usage," Anatol Stefanowitsch, a Berlin professor of linguistics research told Die Welt.But the 63-letter word was deemed no longer necessary after the EU halted BSE-testing on healthy cattle at abattoirs. The big question they are asking is which word will now take its place. "It was until now the longest authentic word in German usage," Anatol Stefanowitsch, a Berlin professor of linguistics research told Die Welt.
The term Germans use to refer to such words is itself a compound: Bandwurmwörter, or "tapeworm words".The term Germans use to refer to such words is itself a compound: Bandwurmwörter, or "tapeworm words".
"The majority of these really long words are to be found in codes of law," Stefanowitsch added. They compete with lengthy words often found in the chemical industry."The majority of these really long words are to be found in codes of law," Stefanowitsch added. They compete with lengthy words often found in the chemical industry.
While RkReÜAÜG was introduced in 1999, it took a further eight years for it to be recognised as Germany's longest word, only securing the title when the majestic 67-letter word Grundstücksverkehrsgenehmigungszuständigkeitsübertragungsverordnung – "regulation governing the delegation of authority pertaining to land conveyance permissions" – was ditched in November 2007. It took eight years for RkReÜAÜG to be recognised as Germany's longest word, only securing the title when the majestic 67-letter word Grundstücksverkehrsgenehmigungszuständigkeitsübertragungsverordnung – "regulation governing the delegation of authority pertaining to land conveyance permissions" – was ditched in November 2007.
Mecklenburg's agriculture ministry has now issued a nationwide appeal for the new longest word. But whatever it is, the word is unlikely to make it into a German-language dictionary. A spokeswoman for Duden, publishers of the most extensive German dictionary said: "For that, it has to be in common parlance, and long words are sometimes simply too uncomfortable." Mecklenburg's agriculture ministry has now issued a nationwide appeal for the new longest word. But whatever it is, the word is unlikely to make it into a German-language dictionary. A spokeswoman for Duden, publishers of the most extensive German dictionary, said: "For that, it has to be in common parlance, and long words are sometimes simply too uncomfortable."
So the longest word currently to be found in the German dictionary is Kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung – "motor vehicle indemnity insurance". As Mark Twain said, "a word so long it has a perspective". So the longest word to be found in the German dictionary is Kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung – "motor vehicle indemnity insurance". As Mark Twain said "a word so long it has a perspective".
Longest words
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis A lung disease caused by inhalation of silica dust. The longest word listed in an English language
Floccinaucinihilipilification Act or habit of estimating as worthless. Longest in Hansard, by Jacob Rees-Mogg
Taumatawhakatangjjihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu Longest-named place in the world, given to a New Zealand hill by the Maoris
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia The fear of long words
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