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Eselsbrücke

Learn a funny, quirky German word each week with DW's Word of the Week feature. This week: Eselsbrücke.

Donkey's head
Image: dapd

One would think that using a mnemonic device would be a smart thing to do, but in German a trick to remember something is called a "donkey bridge" ("Eselsbrücke") -- a link between your brain and the thing you want to keep in mind. Why not a clever elephant path? Or a speedy cheetah road? No offense, but donkeys aren't exactly the most intelligent creatures. However, they're definitely stubborn. In fact, the only way to get a donkey to cross a stream is to send him over a bridge. And sometimes a donkey bridge is the only way to get my stubborn memory to remember something. Click on the link below to send us your favorite "Eselsbrücke."