grasshopper / locust
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grasshopper / locust
A plant-eating insect with long jumping legs that often appears in large swarms. Depending on the species, a distinction is made between grasshoppers and migratory locusts.
Eine Heuschrecke saß auf dem Grashalm und zirpte.
A grasshopper was sitting on the blade of grass and chirping.
corporate raider
In a figurative sense, a derogatory term for financial investors or companies that buy up businesses in order to make high short-term profits, often without regard for the long-term consequences for the company or its employees.
In der politischen Debatte wurden die ausländischen Investoren als „Heuschrecken“ bezeichnet.
In the political debate, the foreign investors were referred to as 'Heuschrecken' (corporate raiders).
The word is made up of 'Heu' (hay) and 'Schrecke'. 'Schrecke' is derived from the verb 'schrecken', which in the past could also mean 'to jump'. So a 'Heuschrecke' (grasshopper/locust) is literally an insect that jumps in hay or in meadows.
Auf der Wiese sahen wir viele Heuschrecken im Gras.
In the meadow, we saw many grasshoppers in the grass.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If people are talking about nature, animals, or agriculture, the insect is meant. In discussions about business, finance, and politics, the figurative, negative meaning of a ruthless investor is meant.
Im Biologieunterricht lernen wir über die Heuschrecke.
In biology class, we are learning about the grasshopper.
In the meaning of 'Finanzinvestor' (financial investor), 'Heuschrecke' (corporate raider) is a strongly derogatory, figurative word (a metaphor). It is used almost exclusively in critical media reports or political debates to express greed and ruthlessness.
Die Gewerkschaft protestierte gegen den Verkauf der Firma an eine sogenannte „Heuschrecke“.
The union protested against the sale of the company to a so-called 'Heuschrecke' (corporate raider).
