cuckoo
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cuckoo
A species of bird known for its characteristic two-syllable call and for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds to be raised there.
Wenn man im Frühling den Kuckuck rufen hört, soll man Geld im Portemonnaie haben.
When you hear the cuckoo calling in spring, you are supposed to have money in your wallet.
You can recognize the meaning from context: if people are talking about the animal, it is often about the forest or its call. If the topic is debts or a 'Gerichtsvollzieher' (bailiff), it means the seizure seal. The fixed expression 'zum Kuckuck' (the heck) always expresses annoyance or surprise.
Im Wald hörten wir plötzlich einen Kuckuck rufen.
In the forest, we suddenly heard a cuckoo calling.
The name of the bird is onomatopoeic. That means the word imitates the bird's characteristic 'ku-ckuck' call.
Kinder lernen den Ruf des Kuckucks meist sehr schnell.
Children usually learn the cuckoo's call very quickly.
In this meaning, 'Kuckuck' (seizure sticker) is a colloquial expression. The official legal term for the bailiff's sticker is 'das Pfandsiegel' (seizure seal).
Wenn der Kuckuck erst einmal auf dem Auto klebt, darf man es nicht mehr verkaufen.
Once the seizure sticker is on the car, you are no longer allowed to sell it.
The expression 'zum Kuckuck' (the heck) is a fixed idiom. It often appears in questions or commands to express impatience and annoyance.
Geh zum Kuckuck und lass mich in Ruhe!
Go to hell and leave me alone!
damn / damned
'verdammt' and 'zum Kuckuck' can both express annoyance, impatience, or strong surprise. 'verdammt' is more direct and often stronger; you use it as an exclamation or before a word when you are annoyed. 'zum Kuckuck' is a fixed expression and sounds a little less harsh, sometimes also old-fashioned or joking. Both belong more to colloquial language, but 'verdammt' can come across as rude more quickly.
Wo ist denn zum Kuckuck die Datei für den Termin?
Where the heck is the file for the appointment?
Verdammt, ich habe den Schlüssel im Büro vergessen.
Damn, I forgot the key at the office.