Where does the word “Nazi” come from? What does it actually mean?
I had always assumed that since it is incorporated into the word AshkeNAZI jew (ironically), that it meant “German” or “Eastern European”, because both types of people it is denoted to (mentioned above - the group of jews and the extremist party) can be located or traced to Germany.
However, I can never find stuff in the library or on the web to confirm my suspicions. Care to help out?
Ihttp://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=119396&highlight=nazi
This thread will answer your questions. It is only a month old. Found by searching our Message Board Archives for Nazi.
Yes, it is to do with the full title of the party. In Germany at the time, the commong way to abbreviate a longer word was to use just use the first couple of syllables, and in German the first two syllables of ‘National…’ are pronounced ‘Nazi.’ Nothing to do with Ashkenazi Jews at all.
Another good example of this is ‘Gestapo.’ According to one source, this acronym originated with an unknown postal official who was trying to design a franking stamp for mail to and from the Geheime Staatspolizeiamt. His original designation was ‘Gestapa,’ the last ‘a’ standing for ‘amt’ or ‘office.’ Popularly, the organization itself became known as ‘Gestapo.’
Oh, yeah. It means ‘Secret State Police.’
The explanation I heard was a little different from QueenAlp’s: the letters NAZI come from NAtionalsoZIalistische deutsche arbeiter-partei. Can’t remember where I heard it, so take it with a grain of salt, but I would explain why other parties beginning with the word (or syllable) national wouldn’t get called “Nazis”.
Okay, I don’t know where the “p” came from in the Queen’s name. I must have been thinking of the Sound of Music or something. Sorry
As someone who speaks German and has studied some German history I’ll chime in with the people who tell you the term comes from the party’s full name.
It should be pronounced “Natsee,” not “Nazzy” That’s because the letter “z” in German is pronounced like an English “ts.” “Mozart” is another example of that pronunciation rule (and a much more honorable part of Germany’s heritage).