die Anspielung
Translation
allusion, hint, innuendo, insinuation
Examples
Er machte eine Anspielung auf ihre Vergangenheit.
He made an allusion to her past.
Ich habe seine Anspielung nicht verstanden.
I didn't understand his hint.
Grammar Patterns
to make an allusion ((to sth.)) to make an allusion to sth. He made an allusion to the incident.
Similar Words
die Andeutung (hint), der Hinweis (clue), die Insinuation (insinuation)
Etymology
From the verb anspielen (to allude to). Composed of an- (at) + spielen (to play) + -ung (noun suffix). It's like 'playing at' a topic.
Memory Tips
Think of someone 'playing' (spielen) with words to hint 'at' (an) something without saying it directly.