long-running favorite / slow-burner
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long-running favorite
Something that remains successful, popular, or relevant over a very long period of time, such as a product, a song, or a topic.
Dieser Song aus den 80ern ist ein echter Dauerbrenner und wird immer noch im Radio gespielt.
This song from the 80s is a real long-running favorite and is still played on the radio.
slow-burning stove
A stove or heater designed to burn continuously for a long time without needing more fuel to be added.
Im Keller stand noch ein alter Dauerbrenner, der mit Kohle befeuert wurde.
There was still an old slow-burning stove in the basement that was fired with coal.
The word is composed of 'Dauer' (long duration) and 'Brenner' (something that burns). So it literally describes something that burns for a long time. This logic is present in both meanings.
Die Diskussion über Klimaschutz ist ein politischer Dauerbrenner.
The discussion about climate protection is a long-running political issue.
The figurative meaning (something that stays popular for a long time) is much more common today. The technical meaning (a stove) is outdated. The context makes clear what is meant: if people are talking about music and topics, it is the figurative meaning; if they are talking about old heaters and coal, it is the literal one.
Das Thema Geldanlage ist ein Dauerbrenner in den Finanznachrichten.
The topic of investing is a long-running favorite in financial news.
In the figurative meaning, the word is often intensified with 'ein echter' (a real) or used in the phrase 'sich zum Dauerbrenner entwickeln' (to develop into a long-running favorite). It typically refers to songs, films, books, or topics of discussion.
Der Krimi entwickelte sich schnell zum Dauerbrenner im Fernsehen.
The crime series quickly developed into a long-running favorite on television.
classic
Klassiker is a colloquial term for a typical, familiar problem that often recurs. Dauerbrenner, by contrast, emphasizes that a topic remains relevant over a long period of time. A problem can be both when it is predictable and recurring while also continuing to occupy people over the long term.
Die Frage nach bezahlbaren Wohnungen bleibt seit Jahren ein Dauerbrenner.
The question of affordable housing has remained a long-running topic for years.
Die Frage nach bezahlbaren Wohnungen ist in jeder Wahldebatte ein Klassiker.
The question of affordable housing is a classic in every election debate.
