Flittchen

German

Etymology

Probably from underlying *Flitterchen, from flittern (“to flutter, glitter, giggle, flatter, caress”) +‎ -chen, or alternatively from the related noun Flitter (“lustre, glitter, cheap jewellery, vanity”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈflɪtçən/
Audio: (file)

Noun

Flittchen n (strong, genitive Flittchens, plural Flittchen)

(derogatory, informal) hussy; tart; slut (a woman, typically young, who is promiscuous or whose appearance and behaviour make her suspect of promiscuity)

Usage notes

Some dictionaries define Flittchen as simply meaning “promiscuous woman”, thus being synonymous with Schlampe (“slut”) and the like. Such use of the word is doubtless possible. However, Flittchen often implies a saucy way of dressing, an active nightlife, an exaggerated inclination to flirting, etc.—perhaps even without the imputation of any above-average degree of actual promiscuity. Conversely, a woman who may be known to be promiscuous, but who exhibits no such behaviour, is less likely to be described as a Flittchen.

Declension

Declension of Flittchen [neuter, strong]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	das	Flittchen	die	Flittchen
genitive	eines	des	Flittchens	der	Flittchen
dative	einem	dem	Flittchen	den	Flittchen
accusative	ein	das	Flittchen	die	Flittchen