New Word #2: Spiel

ESL, vocabulary 1 Minute

Spiel means “a long or fast speech or story, typically one intended as a means of persuasion or as an excuse but regarded with skepticism or contempt by those who hear it.” It can also be used as a verb.

I wonder if some of the lectures I attended during my school days can be called spiels. I didn’t feel so much skepticism. I didn’t feel anything at all, except being bored half to death. But the vanity of getting a good test score kept me going.

Have you experienced spiel? Please leave me a comment.

Unknown's avatar

Published by haoyando

Published

15 thoughts on “New Word #2: Spiel”

  5. I grew up around a lot of Germans and always heard it pronounced with an “sh” as in “Shpiel.” I have heard it used about car salesmen. What he says may be true but what is not said is more to likely to the point. Or in a sense of, “I asked Herb a simple question and he gave me this whole, long, drawn-out spiel.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Wow, it is a German word by its origin. I just googled. LOL. And Shpiel sounds much better than spiel, I have to say. Somehow the “sh” sound make it closer to the suspicious nature of the word. 🤣😉😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a reply to gracexaris Cancel reply