Why the Americans in the WW2 called the Nazi soldiers Krauts?
2006-10-20 23:32:49 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Since World War II, Kraut has, in the English language, come to be used as a derogatory term for a German. This is probably based on Sauerkraut, which was very popular in German cuisine at that time. The stereotype of the sauerkraut-eating German dates back to long before this time, though, as can for example be seen in Jules Verne's depiction of the evil German industrialist Schultz as an avid sauerkraut eater in "The Begum's Millions".
2006-10-20 23:36:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since World War II, Kraut has, in the English language, come to be used as a derogatory term for a German. This is probably based on Sauerkraut, which was very popular in German cuisine at that time.
The stereotype of the sauerkraut-eating German dates back to long before this time, though, as can for example be seen in Jules Verne's 1879 novel, depicting the evil German industrialist Schultz.
During WW I, the Germans were typically refered to as "HUNS", likening the Germans to the Huns of old, probably a reference to a perception of wanton destroyers
2006-10-21 11:37:47 · answer #2 · answered by mariner31 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Germans ate Sauerkraut, a dish of pickled cabbage. Kraut was a shortage of that. In the same way the French call the English 'Les rostboefs' (Roast beefs) because their perception is that we eat roast beef. We call the French 'Frogs' because they eat frog's legs. The Americans call the English 'Limeys' because in the days before refrigerated food English sailors used to eat limes aboard ship for their Vitamin C content.
2006-10-21 06:45:15 · answer #3 · answered by quatt47 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it was a way of dehumanizing the enemy.
If you mean how did they come to give them the nickname 'kraut it is due to sauerkraut.
2006-10-21 06:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by Star 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was a reference to the fact that sauerkraut is a typically German food. Calling any group by a slang term is disrespectful and is done so to trivialize or "put down" groups of people.
2006-10-21 06:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by Jo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definition: offensive terms for a person of German descent
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Reason: To demonise the enemy so that it is easier to kill them without the humanity creeping in
2006-10-21 08:37:09 · answer #6 · answered by Mike J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same reason the krauts called jews kikes.
2006-10-21 06:33:47 · answer #7 · answered by morningstar 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
german thing i guess. like from german sauerkraut? maybe the soldiers didnt like it
2006-10-21 06:36:36 · answer #8 · answered by el nombre 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sour kraut
2006-10-21 09:01:21 · answer #9 · answered by _ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
saurKRAUTS, just nickname like jerries, nips, etc. i am not a racist just answering question
2006-10-21 06:33:50 · answer #10 · answered by tjhand5094 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋