[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] -The Sharp Judge-

[Jürgen Bomert]

1) I add explanations to the word "Scharfrichter" out of the "Deutsches
Wörterbuch" von Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm Vol 14:

In the first time, historically this word was often divided and one spoke
about the " der scharppe Richter" or "der scharffe Richter". 
He is originally the person, who executes by an (sharp, sharpened) axe or
sword - in contrary to the "Henker" (executing by hanging). But later the
Scharfrichter took over the function of the "Henker" too.
Also he did the torture. He also set persons to prison.
You see, "Richter" (judge) speaks the judgement, the "Scharfrichter" carried
out, executed
-The devil is the "Scharfrichter" of god.-


2) About the combined words: In german you can build this words very fine:
What is an Hexenscharfrichter ? - clearly: die, die Hexen "scharf richtende"
Amtsperson f.e.
(Try to explain: What is a Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän ?)


3) Every "Scharfrichter" had one "Knecht" (servant)or more "Knechte" - quite
common, because he needs help to do his work - of course this person is
called "Scharfrichterknecht". 

4) Once more Abdecker and Pferdeschlächter:
"Abdecken" means "die Decke wegnehmen = to put away the blanket or cover";
here to take away the skin.
Abdecker is also called Excoriator (lat.).
"Das Schlachten von Pferden" belonged not to his originally task,
"schlachten" is indeed the task of the butcher - but is practically -
especially when the horses where not determined for consumption - also done
by "Abdecker". Clear that there were overlap.

Jürgen

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: ger-poland-volhynia-bounces at eclipse.sggee.org
[mailto:ger-poland-volhynia-bounces at eclipse.sggee.org] Im Auftrag von Otto
Gesendet: Samstag, 5. November 2005 20:23
An: S G G E E
Betreff: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] -The Sharp Judge-

We need some German relatives to join in this conversation. . . How  
about it?

    -SCHARFRICHTER-    A composite word.

The problem is undoubtedly created by an unfamiliarity with German  
composite words.  The piecing together of words to make one read like  
a run-on sentence.
The way to tackle meaning is to deconstruct the word into individual  
parts, then define the parts.

metzger = butcher  (or meat-cutter)
metzgerei = butcher's shop

schlacht = battle
In German warfare, a battle is called a schlacht. ( a butchery)
We are a bit more euphemistic with our language and refer to it as a  
'battle'.
So.. a schlachter is a butcher.  (note-this possesses a different  
connotation than 'metzger'.)
schlachter = butcher, or the one doing the actual killing.

Scharfrichter
Kind of gives indication of an occupation in a specific time frame of  
history that has meaning carried over into generalized use.
I sort of lean to the 'sharp judge' being an axe... or the swinger of  
it.  The guillotine became popular during the French Revolution.  It  
also was a 'sharp judge' - Both methods were a bit on the messy side,  
what with all the clean-up afterwards.
The guillotine made many judgments under national socialism.
knecht = an assistant used for unskilled details. A laborer.
scharf = sharp
richter = judge
richten = to arrange, usually by law.
scharfrichter = executioner

hingerichtet = executed
hingrichter = hanging judge

. . .But, then again, I've been wrong before.


...  Otto

   " The Zen moment..." wk. of September 4, 2005-
        ________________________________
"The past, as the present...Always under construction."



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