der Zappelphilipp

 der Zappelphilipp 

A ‘Zappelphilipp’ is a word given to a child who is restless, fidgety, and generally cannot sit still.

‘Zappel’ comes from the verb ‘zappeln’ – to fidget.

 ‘Philipp’ is exactly what it looks like – a boy’s name. 

Why Philipp?

The name comes from the Heinrich Hoffmann character in Struwwelpeter, a 19^thcentury German children’s book.

However, you can call any child a Zappelphillip; they don’t need to be called Philipp.

They don’t even need to be a boy!

Die Geschichte vom Zappel-Philipp – The story of Fidgety Philipp