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German · Insults & Name-Calling

Vollpfosten

FOLL-pfos-ten · /ˈfɔl.pfɔs.tn̩/

Complete idiot / total blockhead

2/5 Bar-safe

coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances

Literally

"Full fence-post"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Peak 2010s-2020s German — a "Pfosten" (fence-post) is a thick, dumb, immovable object, and "voll-" (full/total) maxes it out. Widely used online and in everyday grumbling; it reads as modern and a little witty rather than vulgar. Perfect for the person blocking the escalator on the left.

Heard in the wild

Steh nicht links auf der Rolltreppe, du Vollpfosten!

Don't stand on the left on the escalator, you total idiot!

Where it lands

Germany — current, universal

Quick answers

What does "Vollpfosten" mean?
In German, "Vollpfosten" means "Complete idiot / total blockhead". Literally it's "Full fence-post". Peak 2010s-2020s German — a "Pfosten" (fence-post) is a thick, dumb, immovable object, and "voll-" (full/total) maxes it out. Widely used online and in everyday grumbling; it reads as modern and a little witty rather than vulgar. Perfect for the person blocking the escalator on the left.
Is "Vollpfosten" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
How do you pronounce "Vollpfosten"?
Say it "FOLL-pfos-ten" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ˈfɔl.pfɔs.tn̩.

Related in German

Arsch ARSH Arse / ass — and the second great compound-engine of German Halt die Klappe! HALT dee KLAP-uh Shut your trap! / Shut up! Arschloch ARSH-loch Asshole Depp DEP Idiot / dope Blödmann BLURT-mahn Idiot / dumbass Wichser VIK-ser Wanker / jerk-off

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "You idiot".

how to say "You idiot" →

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