rallen

rallen c

1. definite singular of ral

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• Rhymes: -ɑlən

rallen

1. plural of ral

• IPA^(key): /ˈʁalən/

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Attested by 1990. Perhaps from a blend of raffen +‎ schnallen, both “to get, understand”. A vague influence by etymology 2 below seems possible.

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

rallen (weak, third-person singular present rallt, past tense rallte, past participle gerallt, auxiliary haben)

1. (colloquial) to understand, get

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:begreifen

   Der Typ rallt mal wieder gar nix. ― This guy doesn't understand anything, as usual.

   • 1990 October 28, Udo Klimaschewski, “Goodbye cruel world ... (Re: Map-Geheule und Call for Reorg)”, in sub.general‎^[1] (Usenet):

     Wenn sie am Samstag Abend im Escort von daddy zur Disko fahren haben sie es noch immer nicht gerallt.

     When they drive to the disco in daddy's Escort Saturday night, they still won't have understood.

From Low German rallen (“to talk, chatter”), from Middle Low German rallen, likely of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Danish ralle, which has the same sense as the Modern German.

rallen (weak, third-person singular present rallt, past tense rallte, past participle gerallt, auxiliary haben)

1. (rare or regional) to make dull and/or guttural sounds
   • 1884, Friedrich Vischer, Auch Einer, Stuttgart, page 354:

     [...] der Wolf heulte, der Fuchs ließ sein heiseres Bellen hören, der Dachs knurrte, das Füllen wieherte, das Wildschwein grunzte, Gemsen und Steinbock mischten zwischen Mäckern [sic] ihren pfeifenden Warnlaut, der Kater rallte, das Murmeltier pfiff ganz fein [...].

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1923, Gustav Frenssen, Hilligenlei, Berlin, page 160:

     Nicht im Hafen, wenn ihre Riggen stakig und dürr, wie verdorrte Tannen, in die Luft starrten, wenn die Stagnahtblöcke [sic] klirrten und rallten und die Schauerleute in ihrem Bauch rumorten.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

rallen

1. inflection of rallar:
   1. third-person plural present subjunctive
   2. third-person plural imperative