Shhh. It's a Geheimnis!

I love languages. Do you? Just as you are learning English, so too did I learn Spanish and German in college. It was an exciting time at Seattle University, and each new word was a triumph for me. I knew less German than I did Spanish, so it was more of a challenge. My German professor, let’s call him Jim (his last name is a Geheimnis), was a funny man. He was always making jokes out of German words that resembled English words, though with completely different meanings such as “Womit?” and “vomit”. Not only was he funny, but his teaching method made words and grammar stick. By the way, can you keep a Geheimnis? Which leads me to the day Jim taught the class the word "Geheimnis." He started off saying “Victoria’s Geheimnis” and then he opened a cabinet door, put a hand inside, and said “Jim’s Geheimnis”. I found that so funny that I cracked up and couldn’t stop laughing. Jim said in English, “Reed, get a hold of yourself”, and that is no secret, uh, I mean Geheimnis.

- “So, what’s your favorite word in English—or your own Geheimnis?”

- “Geheimnis” formally: Geheimnis (n.) – secret. Pronounced [ɡəˈhaɪ̯m.nɪs].