Neanderthal
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Neanderthal
An extinct species or subspecies of the human genus that lived in Europe and parts of Asia until about 40,000 years ago. It is a close relative of modern humans.
Archäologen haben in einer Höhle gut erhaltene Werkzeuge der Neandertaler gefunden.
Archaeologists found well-preserved Neanderthal tools in a cave.
Neanderthal
A colloquial and derogatory term for an uncultured, crude, or mentally primitive person.
Benimm dich nicht wie ein Neandertaler und iss gefälligst mit Messer und Gabel!
Don't behave like a Neanderthal, and eat with a knife and fork, for goodness' sake!
The name comes from the 'Neandertal' (Neander Valley), a valley in Germany. The first fossils of this human species were found there in the mid-19th century. The ending '-er' means 'someone from...'.
Das Museum im Neandertal zeigt die Geschichte der Neandertaler.
The museum in the Neander Valley shows the history of the Neanderthals.
You can easily distinguish the two meanings from context. If the topic is archaeology, evolution, or the Stone Age, it refers to the extinct human species. If the word describes a person's rude behavior in the present, it is an insult.
Forscher analysieren die DNA von Neandertalern.
Researchers are analyzing the DNA of Neanderthals.
When 'Neandertaler' (Neanderthal) refers to a modern person, it is always colloquial and derogatory. It expresses that someone is perceived as uncultured, crude, or primitive.
Schrei nicht so herum, du Neandertaler!
Don't shout like that, you Neanderthal!
As an insult, the word is often used in the fixed expression 'sich benehmen wie ein Neandertaler' (to behave like a Neanderthal). It describes crude or inconsiderate behavior.
Er drängelte sich vor, ohne sich zu entschuldigen. Er benimmt sich wie ein Neandertaler.
He pushed ahead without apologizing. He behaves like a Neanderthal.
