Waidmannsheil

09 February 2006, 20:07

zaitsev

Waidmannsheil

Hi all, really quick one here. What does Waidmannsheil actually mean (good luck or good hunting I guess by the way its used) or am I totally wrong. Help here please as its driving me and some friends nuts!

Z

09 February 2006, 20:33

577NitroExpress

quote:
Waidmannsheil

My wife is Austrian and each time I've hunted over there, I was told that it means "Good luck on the hunt."

For a literal translation, that's hard to say. If you said "Good hunting," it would be close to "Gutes Jagen."

I basically interpret it in my head, when someone says it to me, as "good luck hunting."

Maybe one of our German/Swiss/Austrian hunters will chime in with their $.02.

09 February 2006, 20:44

IanF

Traditions!

In many German speaking countries, the shooter of an animal is generally presented with a leafy twig dipped in the animal's blood. This is worn in the hatband to identify a successful outing.

This is offered by stalking companion/game keeper along with the salutation 'Weidmannsheil' - colloquially 'hail to the hunter'. It is accepted with the formal response 'Weidmanns Danke'.

If you are really in luck (?!?) you get a full blown verse read out.

Often used as an informal 'good luck on the hunt'!

rgds Ian

09 February 2006, 21:14

Steve Malinverni

I absolutely don't want to act like a teacher, but is used as greeting and as congratulations when the hunter has positively concluded his hunt.

As IanF wrote is often used as greeting when the people understand that you are a hunter. Your answer is, or should be 'Weidmanns Danke'. In this way, as I read once, the word Heil take the meaning of hi, hello.

When it is used as congratulation Heil take the meaning like hurrah.

In Italy there is something like this, but is more a declaration made by the hunter that has killed the boar, than a greeting or congratulations, and it is "VIVA MARIA". Is common in Tuscania, and it is probably a way to thank Our Lady for the good luck

09 February 2006, 21:24

mho

You are all right. I know of at least the following uses of the term "Weidmannsheil" (also spelled "Waidmannsheil" by some):

- as a greeting between hunters (your response: Weidmannsheil).
- as a wish for good hunting fortune - say you are being dropped off at your stand, the others will then wish you "Weidmannsheil" when they move on. (Your response: Weidmannsheil)
- as a congratulation in case you shot something - in which case the proper response is "Weidmannsdank".
- and finally, one can use the term Weidmannsheil when one salutes the other hunters with a drink - in which case it is VERY important you drink with your left hand, otherwise you might have pay a round...

It can sometimes be pretty complicated to be a hunter in the German speaking part of Europe...

- mike

09 February 2006, 22:05

Claret_Dabbler

When I shot a boar recently in Cz, the Germans in the party all made a point of shaking my hand and saying Weidmannsheil, I wasn't quite sure how I was supposed to respond, and said "weidmannsheil" in return. I now know that was wrong. They probably think I am an uncultured Irish bog trotter. They might even be right...

09 February 2006, 23:20

D99

So Italian's say Hail Mary! Good to know.

I heard that the Polish Guides usually say Daz Bror! What it means I don't know.

America is a big place, and I know about 200 different hunters congradulatory speaches.

Most go something like" Dude! Nice hog!, or Good Shot! or F**KING alright!

10 February 2006, 14:09

Steve Malinverni

quote:
and finally, one can use the term Weidmannsheil when one salutes the other hunters with a drink - in which case it is VERY important you drink with your left hand, otherwise you might have pay a round...

OHHH well Mike,
sometime can be a pleasure, or interesting, to pay a round .... anyone become more rich, anyone become more poor, maybe all become more friends, for sure all become more happy and drunk

10 February 2006, 14:34

Dom

Yes lots of meanings, and I like the tradition vs. in the states there's just nothing like it.

So, Waidmannsheil !! Hey, I typed that with my left hand too -- this place could cost a couple of bucks if I had to buy a round, Dom.

13 February 2006, 00:00

Monastery-Forester

quote:
Originally posted by mho:
You are all right. I know of at least the following uses of the term "Weidmannsheil" (also spelled "Waidmannsheil" by some):

- as a greeting between hunters (your response: Weidmannsheil).
- as a wish for good hunting fortune - say you are being dropped off at your stand, the others will then wish you "Weidmannsheil" when they move on. (Your response: Weidmannsheil)
- as a congratulation in case you shot something - in which case the proper response is "Weidmannsdank".
- and finally, one can use the term Weidmannsheil when one salutes the other hunters with a drink - in which case it is VERY important you drink with your left hand, otherwise you might have pay a round...

It can sometimes be pretty complicated to be a hunter in the German speaking part of Europe...

- mike

13 February 2006, 00:07

Monastery-Forester

Mho is right, but I will complete it: if a person, who is not a hunter, whishes "Waidmannsheil" to you for good luck, than you have to answer "Waidmannsdank"! Confusing, but of long tradition. But huntingtradition is very important in Germany (Swiss) Austria and some countries of the former K.-K.-Monarchery.

13 February 2006, 11:42

griff

this is all well and good, but how do you pronounce it?
I presume the "W" is a V.
A guess would be: veed man shell

regards
griff

13 February 2006, 12:14

IanF

Griff - if you see an E and I together in German word - pronounce the last letter.

Thus - correctly pronounced you would phonetically write it in UK as 'Vied mans high ul'

String it together - and you are fluent!!

Rgds Ian

23 February 2006, 10:57

gitano-too

All of the above are correct, but no one got to the literal translation. A "Waidmann" is someone that "wanders the fields and meadows" - "waid" = meadow or grassy field
"man(n)= "one" or "person"
"heil" = hail.

Of course the above explanations are correct, as this is correctly idiomatically translated instead of literally translated. A similar example would be "Gruss Gott", which literally means "God greet you", but is used idiomatically as "hello".

Vyd monz hyl

und

Vyd monz dohnk

Paul

23 February 2006, 11:16

ErikD

As we have now seen the German and Italian version.

Here is the Norwegian version: "Skitt Jakt".

It litterally means "Shit hunting"! And is said when the hunter goes out to hunt, or is dropped of at a stand etc.

The reason being that if you say something like "Good luck", the opposite will happen, and you will have bad luck. Just like actors often say "Break a leg" to each other before going on stage, but mean "Goo luck".

You say something simular when fishing; "Skitt fiske".

There is no tradition that I know of, or hear people use when an animal is shot though. Just regular "congratulations".

Are there any other countries in Europe with tradtional hunting greetings?

23 February 2006, 12:57

Gerry

For "Waidmannsheil" there are couple of simple rules and they don't get too awfully complicated.

"Waidmannsheil" as all above have noted is commonly refered to as a "Hunter's Salutation" or "Hunter's Greeting".

Vaid-mans-heyel would be another interpretation.

The salutation is used except for two rules:

1. When you receive the Congratulatory Branch (with your left hand) after the shooting of an animal - answer "Waidmanns Dank".

2. When posted to your stand, High Seat or position by your Guide, Host or Forester; after they explain what you're to shoot and the parametrs of the area you're supposed to shoot into the last word will be "Waidmannsheil". The correct repsonse is "Waidmanns Dank".

After about the third or fourth round of Beer, Wine or Schnapps (mostly accounted for by folks drinking their toast with the right hand instead of the left) all bets are off and you can pretty much say whatever you want - just drink with your left hand!

24 February 2006, 19:49

Monastery-Forester

Gerry, let`s be correct: Point2 is not truly correct, if your guide is also a hunter or forester and whishes " Waidmannsheil" to you, you have to answer with "Waidmannsheil" and not "Waidmannsdank", but if your guide is not a hunter, you have to answer with "Waidmannsdank" That always a little crazy fo foreigns and complicated.....But in Germany the hunting has something together with the navy in Great Britain: it consists primarly of, colour, tradition and stupid rules!

02 March 2006, 02:31

oldun

Life and language here in the new world is more simple and direct we say;

"Goodonya mate"!

This translates to Weidmannsheil when used in the hunting context.

In general use a simple "Goodonya" or "Good on you" by the articulate, is said by both males and females when affirming support for a good deed or attitude.

Copula ergo sum.

02 March 2006, 17:11

zaitsev

'or "Good on you" by the articulate'

Oh you antipodean rapscallions with your charming informalities

Anyway I know some Kiwis who say 'Good as' when affirming aforementioned good deed or attitude, shorthand I am informed for Good as gold.

Perhaps Saeed would like to share with us his traditional hunting greetings? Although those he uses for Walter may be best left unpublished!!!!!!!!!!

Z

02 March 2006, 17:32

Afrikaander

"heil to the hunter", used as an expression of "good hunting" desire, in its most abarcative significance (good troophy, good shot, good stalking).... like saying: enjoy the hunt before, during and after it ... as it was said before, it has a correlative meaning with the due respect with which the prey should be treated, specially when taken ....

I love those german traditions !