zappenduster
Translation
pitch-dark, pitch-black
Examples
Nach dem Stromausfall war es zappenduster.
After the power outage, it was pitch-dark.
Grammar Patterns
it is zappenduster it is pitch-dark After the power outage, it was pitch-dark.
Similar Words
Synonyms: stockdunkel, stockfinster, pechschwarz (pitch-black); Antonyms: hell (bright), lichtdurchflutet (flooded with light)
Etymology
Likely from military slang 'Zapfenstreich ist duster' (Tattoo is dark), meaning 'lights out'. 'Zapfenstreich' is the military tattoo, and 'duster' is a dialectal word for dark.
Memory Tips
Imagine a sudden 'zap' and everything goes 'duster' (dark). It implies a very sudden and complete darkness.