spin
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spin
The rapid rotation of an object around its own axis, especially of balls in sports, in order to influence their trajectory. Also a term from quantum physics (spin angular momentum).
Der Tischtennisspieler gab dem Ball mit dem Schläger einen starken Spin.
The table tennis player gave the ball a strong spin with the paddle.
spin
In politics and public relations, the deliberate, often glossing-over or manipulative presentation of an event in order to influence public opinion.
Die Presseabteilung der Regierung versuchte, der negativen Nachricht einen positiven Spin zu geben.
The government’s press department tried to give the negative news a positive spin.
to have a quirk
A colloquial expression meaning that someone has a strange habit, an eccentric idea, or a mild form of craziness. Synonymous with 'einen Spleen haben' (to have a quirk).
Er sammelt alte Flaschenverschlüsse, er hat eben einen kleinen Spin.
He collects old bottle caps; he just has a little quirk.
'Spin' is a word borrowed from English. In German, it is used in very different specialist and thematic areas, from sports to politics to colloquial speech.
Der Politiker versuchte, der Debatte einen neuen Spin zu geben.
The politician tried to give the debate a new spin.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Spin' (spin) from the context. In sports, it is about the rotation of a ball; in politics, about the interpretation of news; and in colloquial speech, about a strange trait of a person.
Mit viel Spin war der Aufschlag für den Gegner unerreichbar.
With a lot of spin, the serve was unreachable for the opponent.
To describe the rotation of a ball, 'Spin' (spin) is almost always combined with the verb 'geben' (to give). The construction is: 'dem Ball einen Spin geben' (to give the ball spin).
Der Tennisprofi gab dem Ball einen unglaublichen Spin.
The tennis pro gave the ball incredible spin.
In a political or media context, the deliberate interpretation of a topic is also expressed with the verb 'geben' (to give): 'einer Sache einen Spin geben' (to give something a spin).
Der Pressesprecher versuchte, der Niederlage einen optimistischen Spin zu geben.
The press spokesperson tried to give the defeat an optimistic spin.
The colloquial expression 'einen Spin haben' means that a person has a strange habit or a crazy idea. The construction with the verb 'haben' (to have) is fixed here.
Mein Onkel redet mit seinen Pflanzen, er hat halt einen kleinen Spin.
My uncle talks to his plants; he just has a little quirk.
propaganda
Propaganda and Spin can both influence public opinion through a manipulative presentation. Spin usually refers to the deliberate interpretation of a specific event in political communication. Propaganda generally refers to the broader, systematic spread of one-sided ideas or information, especially for ideological goals.
Die Partei gab dem schlechten Wahlergebnis den Spin eines wichtigen Teilerfolgs.
The party gave the poor election result a spin that portrayed it as an important partial success.
Die Partei verbreitete über Monate Propaganda für ihre politische Ideologie.
The party spread propaganda for its political ideology for months.
