any idea what this means?

  • zeppo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    22·
    3 days ago

    Here you go, an extensive article about this phrase:

    https://crossidiomas.com/das-gelbe-vom-ei/

    “Das Gelbe vom Ei” is a German idiomatic phrase that means the ‘the yellow from the egg’ literally, and is used to express something that is highly desirable. So they’re saying their English is not the best.

    • fartsparkles@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 days ago

      “Yolk” has been used in English with a similar meaning “most valuable” (with other meanings like most essential / most significant / the centre of) since 1340. I don’t believe it crossed into American English however (forsooth, Brits love naught more than a fine archaism betwixt the lips).

      • SwedneckEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        if you said it as “the egg’s yolk” i think most people would get it basically immediately, and just assume it’s a phrase they somehow managed to go their entire life without hearing before. I mean it’s basically just “the bee’s knees”