Sandman
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Sandman
A legendary figure from European folklore who sprinkles sand into children's eyes in the evening so that they become tired and fall asleep.
Wenn du nicht bald schläfst, kommt der Sandmann.
If you don't go to sleep soon, the Sandman will come.
The word is made up of 'Sand' (sand) and 'Mann' (man). It describes the legendary figure who proverbially sprinkles sand into children's eyes to make them tired.
Sei leise, sonst weckst du die Kleinen wieder auf, bei denen war gerade der Sandmann da.
Be quiet, otherwise you'll wake the little ones again; the Sandman had just visited them.
'Der Sandmann' (or 'Unser Sandmännchen') is a famous German television program for children that has been broadcast for decades as a bedtime ritual. The character is a well-established cultural reference in Germany.
Meine Tochter darf vor dem Schlafen immer den Sandmann gucken.
My daughter is always allowed to watch the Sandman before going to sleep.
The phrase 'Der Sandmann kommt' (the Sandman is coming) or 'Der Sandmann war da' (the Sandman was here) is often said affectionately to children to express that it is time to sleep or that they look tired.
Deine Augen sind schon ganz klein, der Sandmann war wohl schon da.
Your eyes are already getting so small; the Sandman must have already been here.
When words like 'anschauen' (to watch), 'gucken' (to watch), or 'im Fernsehen' (on television) are used, it almost always refers to the TV character. In general expressions about tiredness or sleep, it refers to the legendary figure.
Schaltest du bitte den Fernseher an? Der Sandmann fängt gleich an.
Could you please turn on the TV? The Sandman is about to start.