Kreech

Central Franconian

Alternative forms

• Kreeg (Colognian Academy spelling)
• Kriech (southern Moselle Franconian)

Etymology

From Middle High German kriec. Note that in Ripuarian the verb krijje (“to get”) has West Germanic *ī, while Kreech and kreeje (“to make war”) have West Germanic *ē. Otherwise both forms usually show the same vocalism (*ī in Low German and Dutch, *ē in High German).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kʀeːɕ/

Noun

Kreech m (plural Kreech or Kreeje)

1. (Ripuarian, northern Moselle Franconian) war
   • 1992, “Hey Kölle!”‎performed by Höhner:

     Du häs em Kreech fass mem Levve bezahlt,
     Doch se hann dich widder opjestallt.
     Die Zick, die mäht och vür dir nit halt.
     Hück häs de Ecke, die sinn jrau un kalt.

     You [i.e. Cologne] almost paid with your life during the war,
     But they put you back upon your feet.
     Time spares nothing, not even you.
     Today you have places that are grey and cold.

Derived terms

• kreeje, bekreeje

Limburgish

Etymology

From Middle Limburgish kriec or krēc, from Old Limburgish krieg, from Proto-West Germanic *krīg.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kʁeːç/
• Rhymes: -eːç

Noun

Kreech m (plural Kreege) (Eupen)

1. war, warfare