What's this all about?

Authentic Slovenian curses have always fascinated foreigners, who find such expressions of discontent unimaginable, innocent, and above all, amusing. When translating Slovenian taunts, used by our distant ancestors, they often smirk, as the translations—devoid of cultural context—sound even more peculiar. Sometimes, they even adopt one and continue using it enthusiastically, undoubtedly to further confuse their opponents.

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Slovenian curses are part of the country's cultural heritage and were mentioned in dictionaries as early as the 18th and 19th centuries (e.g., Gutsman's Slovenian-German and German-Slovenian dictionary from 1789, Pleteršnik's Slovenian-German dictionary from 1894-95, the 1st and 2nd editions of Janežič's Slovenian-German dictionary between 1828-1869, and Murko's Slovenian-German dictionary from 1832). Once considered shameful and attributed only to the less articulate social classes, evidence shows that even the nobility used them. Over time, it became clear that curses have a vibrant function in the language of all social strata. They are an important part of cultural tradition, as these colorful metaphors, carved in moments of passion, reflect the authentic spirit of the times, current themes, and struggles. Traditional Slovenian curses often featured mythical creatures, devils, domestic animals, or even vegetables.

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Of course, Slovenian also boasts much more colorful expressions, but we are known for camouflaging harsher and offensive terms with gentler and less controversial derivatives. We deliberately chose ones that stand out for their innocence and playfulness, making the gap between what one imagines as a curse even greater.

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The aim of our project is not just mischievous amusement but a way to reveal and, above all, bring foreigners closer to the ingenuity of the Slovenian language, which in its archaic forms is always more entertaining than offensive.