bodenlos

unbelievable, outrageous, beyond the pale (intensifier, usually negative; top-3 2022)

Origin

'Bodenlos' is a derivation from the 'Boden' (ground/bottom) with the suffix -los and literally means 'bottomless, so deep one sees no end'. Figuratively it is used colloquially as an intensifier for something especially pronounced, usually negative - such as 'bodenlose Frechheit' (outrageous audacity) or 'bodenlose Dummheit' (outrageous stupidity). In youth slang 'bodenlos' was on the 2022 shortlist (top 3) for Youth Word of the Year, alongside 'Macher' and 'smash'.

Source

Building blocks

Words in this expression

Examples

  • Drei Stunden bodenlos!

    Three hours late with no apology — outrageous!