Bock haben

The origin of „Bock haben“ (to feel like / be up for something) is disputed. One common explanation – also given by the DWDS – derives the phrase from „geiler Bock“ (a lustful, aroused man, or the male animal), attesting it from the 1970s first in youth slang before it entered everyday German. Another, historically contested explanation traces „Bock“ to the Romani word „bokh“ ('hunger'). Negated („keinen Bock haben“) it means 'to not feel like (doing) something'.