German phrase of the day: Leck mich am Arsch

Why do I need to know Leck mich am Arsch?

This, admittedly harsh, German retort comes up more often than the polite English speaker might at first imagine.

If you get into an argument with a German speaker, or otherwise do something that they take serious offence to, you could hear this phrase directed at you.

The tone should make it apparent, but just in case, it’s good to know that it’s meant as an insult and not an invitation.

What does it mean?

You’d be advised not to do an online search for this one. At least not at work or in the presence of polite company.

That’s because Leck mich am Arsch translates directly to “Lick my ass” (or ‘lick my arse’ for the Brits).

It's perhaps better to think of it as the German equivalent to “kiss my ass,” as it’s used in the same way. 

But, to the English-speaking mind, there’s something particularly vulgar about the idea of licking rather than kissing that makes the German phrase hit harder.

It should go without saying that the phrase, though not at all uncommon, can be offensive (usually intentionally so), so you’ll want to avoid it in the workplace or more formal situations.

In practical use, you'll hear various versions of the phrase, many of which deliver the same sentiment but with softened language – similar to “kiss my butt”, or similar, in English

You may hear “leck mich am Hintern”, which is more like “kiss my rear.”

In some cases, a simple “leck mich” can get the point across. For example, if you had a friend who works at an expensive restaurant and they were lamenting the ridiculous requests they get from highly entitled customers, they might say, “Manchmal denke ich, leckt mich doch” (“Sometimes I think, lick me”).

Fun fact: "Leck mich im Arsch" is also the title of a song by Mozart. Specifically, it’s a canon in B-flat major with lyrics in German thought to have been composed in Vienna in 1782 as a sort of party song for his friends.

Use it like this:

Seine Einstellung war: ‘Ich bin großartig, leck mich am Arsch!’

His attitude was: ‘I’m great, kiss my ass!’

[To express intense show of surprise]: Ja, leck mich doch am Arsch

Well, lick my ass