Interview: 'Despite fear, we should focus on the positives'Ich Bin Ein Berliner

Deutsche Welle ^ | 22 December 2016 | Gabriel Borrud, Frank FurediSteely Tom

[Steely Tom]

Remember all the snarky comments about how JFK made a fool of himself when he told millions of Germans Ich bin ein Berliner back in 1963?

[Mollypitcher1]

I first read that as “Berlin Halt Zimmerman” and I was like.. huh? what’d he do this time?”
.............................................
Maybe he sent another telegram to Mexico!!!!!

[norwaypinesavage]

"It’s an urban legend that they thought he was talking about a jelly doughnut or whatever pastry."

Not really. Cities in Germany often have a noted food, for which the city is known. The name of the city, with an "er" tacked on the end refers to the food.

The US sometimes has an equivalent. "I am Danish" describes the country you were born in. "I am a Danish" describes you as a pastry.

So JFK really did say "I am a jelly doughnut" when he addes the "ein" to the sentence. The Germans knew, though, what he meant.

[HandyDandy]

For example, had JFK been in Frankfurt and said, “I am a frankfurter”, well..........

[cynwoody]

Geez, get over it already, what Kennedy said was fully correct as intentioned.

I never said it wasn't.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Now that’s funny.

[trebb]

Almost spit my coffee on the monitor - thanks

[ops33]

And my wife was in the audience when Reagan made that speech. She said the moment was electrifying.

[LouieFisk]

Must have been a fantastic moment for her to be a witness to history.