Anyone know German slang?

[3 ladybugs]

Yesterday I was following a Volkswagen driving somewhere. It had a personalized plate that said "zugtier". I recognized the "tier" as animal but I didn't know what the "zug" was. So when I got to my destination I looked it up and it was "draft". 

 

My question is, is zugtier slang for "an avid beer drinker"? 

[regentrude]

No. Zug comes from the verb "ziehen", to pull. So the Zugtier is an animal used to pull a wagon. It has absolutely nothing to do with beer. Similar to the English term "draft horse" (which has also nothing to do with drinking but comes from the verb to draw, which means to pull)

Edited April 28, 2016 by regentrude

[3 ladybugs]

Hmm... Odd! I can't imagine towing anything with a Golf. I think that is what this was. Maybe they have a small trailer or something. 

 

Thank you! I learned something new today. :)

[Jean in Newcastle]

It could just be a joke to call a small car a draft animal.  Sort of like naming your Chihuahau "Bruiser". 

[3 ladybugs]

Silly me! I am looking at teardrop trailers and figuring out how they can fit for our family of 4 plus a dog so I know that there are cars out there that can tow things. The small teardrop trailers you can tow with a motorcycle so certainly a Golf. 

 

I need to stop being so serious.  :laugh:

[ikslo]

It could just be a joke to call a small car a draft animal.  Sort of like naming your Chihuahau "Bruiser". 

 

zugtier.info is a German site which provides info on tractors, so I agree with Jean - sounds like a joke.  Either that or they really like tractors and/or farming.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I once commented to my BIL that Germans have lame swears and that is why they borrow English swears.  So he bought me a dictionary with German curse words and phrases.  Lame...I still maintain they have lame swears.  LOL