der Schmäh
Translation
(Austrian) banter, charm, kidding, slander
Examples
Das ist doch nur ein Schmäh.
That's just a joke.
Er ist bekannt für seinen Wiener Schmäh.
He is known for his Viennese banter.
Seine Rede war voller Schmäh und Hohn.
His speech was full of slander and scorn.
Grammar Patterns
einen Schmäh führen (Austrian) to banter, to joke around With him, you can always have a good Schmäh.
etw. als Schmäh bezeichnen to call sth. slander He called the criticism a nasty Schmäh.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Witz (joke), Charme (charm); Antonyms: Beleidigung (insult), Verleumdung (slander)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'smæhe' (insult, disgrace). The positive Austrian meaning is a later development.
Memory Tips
Think of the English word 'shame'. A 'Schmäh' (insult) is meant to bring shame. For the Austrian meaning, imagine a charming person who can 'shame' you with a witty remark, but in a funny way.