German

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Etymology

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From German Low German Macker (companion; guy), first attested in 1771 and hence possibly borrowed from Dutch makker (mate, fellow) (1557). Further origin uncertain, but likely related to Old Saxon gimaco (companion), Old English maca, ġemaca (companion, mate, wife, one suited to another, idem), Old Norse maki (whence Swedish make (husband)), from Proto-Germanic *makkô, *gamakkô, *makô, *gamakô (an equal; comrade), from Proto-Indo-European *mag- (to knead, work). Compare also French mec, which is of uncertain origin, but probably from Dutch.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈmakɐ/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

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Macker m (strong, genitive Mackers, plural Macker)

  1. (colloquial, derogatory) macho; bossy man
    Synonyms: Chauvi, Macho
  2. (colloquial, sometimes derogatory) boyfriend
    • 1998, “Weniger Ist Mehr (Remix)”, in Dendemann (lyrics), Sport, performed by Eins Zwo:
      Sie liebt pinke Schminke, hippen Lippenstift / Und sie liebt sein Tatoo auf'm Oberarm / Aber ihr Macker ist im Grunde beschissen dran / Weil bis jetzt den Letzten immer die Hunde gebissen haben
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
  3. (colloquial, chiefly Northern Germany) guy; fellow; dude
    Synonym: Alter
    • 1921 [1913], Gorch Fock [pseudonym; Johann Kinau], Seefahrt ist not!, page 7:
      Auch Jan Greun, Simon Fock und Hinnik Six, seine Macker, die nicht weit hinter ihm saßen, ließen das Kirchenwort in die unerschrockenen Seemannsherzen hinein, []
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
  4. (colloquial, chiefly Northern Germany) boss; chief
    Synonym: Chef

Declension

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Derived terms

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Further reading

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  • Macker” in Duden online
  • Macker” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache