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Question for a native German speaker


Guest mch

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While watching the History Channel's

"War of the Century" series,

I heard one of the German officers say..

"You know,we had this idea of the

herrnmenchen"

This concept of Herrnmenchen makes more

sense than Übermenchen,wich sounds pretty comical,actually.

So,my question is:Wich term was actually used

by the Germans?I always thought that

"Übermenchen" was created by the Allies

as a joke.

Thanks in advance.

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The term Übermensch (superman) originated, TTBOMK, with Nietsche's "Beyond Good and Evil" (mid-19th century). The Superman was a superior being evolved from the common mass of humanity and possessing higher levels of intellectual ability and moral reasoning. Nothing comical about it, really.

The terms Herrenmensch and Herrenrasse (master race) probably evolved out of the German branch of the eugenics movement in the late-19th century, but I would want corroboration on that.

BTW, didn't Superman face a German foe --Überman -- in the war-time editions of the comic. Or was that from the post-war period.

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Ethan

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Das also war des Pudels Kern! -- Goethe

[This message has been edited by Hakko Ichiu (edited 08-26-2000).]

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