der  Spinner

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃpɪnɐ/

🤔 What exactly is a "Spinner"?

The German word der Spinner has several meanings:

• 🧑‍🏭 Craftsman/Profession: Originally, *der Spinner* referred to a person (usually male; the female form is *die Spinnerin*) whose job was to spin yarn, i.e., process fibers into thread. This meaning is less common today.
• 🤪 Colloquial (often derogatory): Much more frequently, *der Spinner* is used today as a colloquial, often derogatory term for a person perceived as crazy, eccentric, strange, or foolish. Example: "Hör nicht auf ihn, das ist doch ein Spinner!" (Don't listen to him, he's just a nutcase!) ⚠️ This usage can be offensive!
• 🎣 Fishing lure: In fishing, *der Spinner* is a specific type of artificial lure with one or more rotating metal blades that create light reflections and pressure waves underwater to attract predatory fish.
• 🧸 Toy: More recently, *der Spinner* (often also *Fidget Spinner*) refers to a small handheld toy that is spun rapidly by flicking it, popularized as a tool for calming or relieving stress.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Spinner" in Detail

"Spinner" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

📝 Example Sentences

1. (Colloquial) Mein Nachbar sammelt Regenwürmer im Glas – manche halten ihn für einen Spinner.
   (My neighbor collects earthworms in a jar – some consider him a nutcase.)
2. (Fishing) Mit diesem silbernen Spinner habe ich schon viele Hechte gefangen.
   (I've caught many pike with this silver spinner.)
3. (Toy) Die Kinder auf dem Schulhof spielen alle mit ihren bunten Spinnern.
   (The children in the schoolyard are all playing with their colorful spinners.)
4. (Profession, rare) Früher war der Spinner ein wichtiger Handwerker in der Textilproduktion.
   (In the past, the spinner was an important craftsman in textile production.)

💡 How "der Spinner" is Used

The most common use of *der Spinner* today is the colloquial and often negative designation for a person. Tone and context are crucial here:

• Derogatory/Insulting: Calling someone a *Spinner* often expresses that you find their ideas or behavior absurd or crazy. ("Was für ein Spinner!" - What a nutcase!)
• Downplaying/Joking: Sometimes it's used somewhat jokingly for someone with unusual hobbies or views, without malicious intent. ("Er ist schon ein kleiner Spinner, aber ein lieber Kerl." - He's a bit of an oddball, but a nice guy.)
• Technical Contexts: In the fields of fishing and toys, *der Spinner* is a neutral technical term with no negative connotation.

Important: Due to the often negative connotation, be careful who you call a *Spinner* to avoid causing offense.

Compared to similar words like *Exzentriker* (more neutral to positive), *Kauz* (more affectionately quirky), or *Narr* (more old-fashioned, often figurative), *Spinner* is usually more direct and negative.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Spinner"

For the article: Think of *der* Mann (the man) who *spins* crazy ideas, or *der* Köder (the lure) that *spins*. It's often associated with a male person or an object typically referred to with *der*.

For the meanings: Imagine someone *spinning* yarn, *spinning* crazy tales (being nuts), a fishing lure *spinning* in the water, or a toy *spinning* on a finger. The verb *spinnen* (to spin, to be crazy) connects all meanings.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Spion: Sounds similar, but means spy.
• Spinne: The animal (*die Spinne* - the spider), not the person or object.

😂 A Joke About It

DE: Fragt der eine Angler den anderen: "Na, beißt heute was?" Sagt der andere: "Keine Ahnung, aber mein neuer Spinner dreht schon wieder völlig durch!"

EN: One angler asks the other: "Well, are they biting today?" The other replies: "I don't know, but my new spinner is going completely crazy again!" (Plays on the lure spinning and the colloquial meaning 'going crazy')

📜 A Little Poem

DE:
Ein Spinner sitzt am Wasser klar,
wirft seinen Köder, wunderbar.
Ein andrer Spinner, leis' und sacht,
hat bunte Wolle mitgebracht.
Ein dritter ruft: "Ihr seid verrückt!"
Hat selbst 'nen Spinner in der Hand, entzückt.
So dreht sich alles, groß und klein,
beim Wort "Spinner", kann das sein?

EN:
A Spinner sits by water clear,
Casts his lure, banishing fear.
Another Spinner, soft and low,
Brought colorful wool, a gentle flow.
A third one shouts: "You're mad, you two!"
Holds his own Spinner, delighted, it's true.
So everything spins, large and small,
With the word "Spinner", does it enthrall?

🧩 Little Riddle

DE:
Ich dreh mich schnell, mal hier, mal dort,
bin manchmal Spielzeug, manchmal Spott.
Am Haken lock ich manchen Fisch,
als Mensch bin ich oft wunderlich.

Wer oder was bin ich?

Lösung: der Spinner

EN:
I spin around fast, sometimes here, sometimes there,
Sometimes a toy, sometimes a mocking stare.
On a hook, I lure many a fish,
As a person, I'm often quite oddish.

Who or what am I?

Solution: der Spinner

🤓 Other Information

Etymology: The word *Spinner* derives directly from the verb *spinnen* (to spin). The colloquial meaning of *spinnen* as "to be crazy" likely emerged in the 19th century, possibly referencing the erratic movements of insects or the idea of someone "spinning" (= concocting) confused thoughts or stories (*sich etwas zusammenspinnen*).

Cultural Context: Using *Spinner* as an insult is widespread in German and often used in informal settings. The popularity of the Fidget Spinner around 2017 led to a brief resurgence of the word in a neutral context.