During War II, why was the Germans referred as Karts (Cabbage)?

Answer 1

Boche entered the English language in 1914, from the French slang. In French it meant something close to "rascal," and was applied by French soldiers to Germans in World War I. Its origins can be traced to the French word "Allemand" meaning "German" in eastern French dialects, close to the German border the variant was "Al(le)moche", altered contemptuously to Alboche by association with "caboche", a slang word for "head," which literally meant "cabbage" (compare. "tête de boche", French for "German" in an 1887 French slang dictionary).

So in short, it was from an old french slang description of "tête de boche", translating to head of cabbage

Answer 2

The idea that Germans were not messed with during WWII like the Japanese (internment camps) was false.

For one thing, when Congress recently renamed French fries as Liberty Fries, they were not being original. In WWII, Sauerkraut was renamed Liberty Cabbage. Also German named towns were renamed and German musicians were boycotted.

Generally the only thing most people knew about Germans at that time was Sauerkraut. And that's why they were called Krauts. It was the same reason the Japanese were called riceballs. Yankee is actually a cheese, the French are often called frogs (because they are known to eat frogs), and a host of other ethnic groups were often called names by something supposably unique about them (often food, clothes, type of work).

Answer 3

During the war "kraut" meaning cabbage was used by some as a racial slur...possibly because cabbage was readily available in Germany as a staple food in a nation beset by low provisions and rationing. As war waged on , many other countries involved in the "war effort" had rationing of foods and fuels.I also know that during the same war hungry Dutch people often resorted to eating tulip bulbs to stave off hunger pains. If at all possible, talk with a war veteran, they sacrificed alot so that we may live with the benefits we have today. There are so few left now, and when they went to war they thought their sacrifice then would mean that future generations wouldn't have to go to war...we all should have learned from them. Whether its a long ago conflict or torn from the headlines of today we owe them our respect and gratitude

Answer 4

I think you mean Krauts and it comes from sauerkraut, a German Cabbage dish. I suppose they thought the Germans ate a lot of it. Like the English called the french "frogs" because they eat frog.

Answer 5

It was because of what they ate,there diets and I believe you mean krauts as In sauerkraut the food we use here In the states for hot dogs,Germans use sauerkraut in many other food dishes too.

Answer 6

They were referred to as "Krauts" after the sauerkraut they ate.

Answer 7

Krauts, yes cabbage and its from WWI

Answer 8

They were referred to as Krauts, like in sauer krauts!