Mauscheln

The German word "Mauscheln" is derived from the Yiddish language. It's original meaning is, "to talk like a Jewish trader" (Mausche = Yiddish word for Mose). The verb has developed a negative connotation and means, "to use dishonest tricks to reach an aim, to cheat". This work examines the history of the word and asks how this negative connotation has developed and how the word was (and is!) applied as a weapon and defamation among artists, politicians and scientists.