Tollpatsch

• Dolpatsch, Dalpatsch, Talpatsch (archaic)
• Tolpatsch (pre-1996)

First attested 1698 in Bavaria as Tolbatz, from Hungarian talpas (“wide-footed; infantryman”), so called because of their footwear consisting of soles attached by strings. Influenced by toll (“crazy”), patschen (“to whoosh, to hit with a splashing sound”), and dalpen, talpen (“to walk clumsily; to grab clumsily”), also Dalpe, Talpe, Dalpsche, Talpsche, Patsche, designations for a broad hand.

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɔlpat͡ʃ/

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Tollpatsch m (strong, genitive Tollpatsches or Tollpatschs, plural Tollpatsche)

1. (obsolete, derogatory) a Hungarian or Hungarian-origin soldier that does not converse well
2. klutz, blunderer, butterfingers (clumsy person)

   Synonyms: Tölpel, (Switzerland) Löli

• The spelling Tollpatsch has been the prescribed spelling since the German spelling reform of 1996 (the Rechtschreibreform). In the affected areas, the previous spelling (Tolpatsch) is now less common, and may be regarded as a misspelling.

• tollpatschig

• “Tollpatsch” in Duden online
• “Tollpatsch” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
• “Tollpatsch” in Deutsches Wörterbuch von Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm, 16 vols., Leipzig 1854–1961.