einigermaßen

Einigermaßen (eng. passably; somewhat) is a German term that has no real meaning. It is often used to make a concrete statement more blurry and vague. If someone wants you to make concrete statements or predictions, you can hush up the meaning of whatever you want to say by using "einigermaßen" in an inflationary manner. Nobody can nail you down on something you said, if you drop "einigermaßen" during the conversation. Most people doesn´t realise their excessive use of the word in their daily conversations, until someone makes them aware of it.

The term originated from the area of North-Rhine Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), which is a German state. Especially in the city Aachen and the rural area around it, the term is often said.

Student: "Jo JD, what do you think of my brand new Sneekers?"
JD: "Well, they look einigermaßen cool!"

Student: " Jo JD, how much is the fish?"
JD: "It is einigermaßen expensive!"

Student: "Jo JD, how did you like festival and what was your favourite band?"
JD: "The festival was einigermaßen okay and my favourite band was Leftboy. He was einigermaßen awesome."

einigermaßen by R+VBuddy May 20, 2019