schwanz
penis
/ʃvants/ "SHVANTS"
severity: strong vulgarcasualstreet
penis
Usage examples
- Halt dei Schwanz i dr Hose.Keep your dick in your pants.
- Du bisch en rächte Schwanz.You're a real dick.
- Er het kei Schwanz i dr Hose.He has no balls (lit. no dick in his pants).
Etymology
From Middle High German "swanz" meaning tail, itself from Old High German "swanzen" (to swing or sway). The anatomical slang use follows the near-universal metaphor of "tail" as penis, found across Germanic and Romance languages. In standard German "Schwanz" is also the neutral word for an animal's tail, making it a classic double-meaning term — vulgar in the human anatomical sense but perfectly acceptable when talking about a dog's tail.
Cultural notes
"Schwanz" is widely used in both Swiss German and standard German as the primary informal/vulgar word for the penis. In Swiss German dialects the pronunciation shifts slightly but the word is immediately recognizable across the German-speaking world. Unlike some other vulgar terms it retains its literal "tail" meaning in animal contexts, which creates frequent comic potential. It functions as both an anatomical term and a personal insult for a contemptible person.