SSC: Steppenwolf

[muckefuck]

It had never occurred to me before today to try to parse this as if it were an ordinary German word. Obviously, it's the wolf (Wolf) from the steppes (Steppen). But it took finding out that the Spanish translation of Hesse's novel is called El lobo estepario for me to realise that. I have only two things to say in my defence:

1. It had never occurred to monshu either. When I asked him about it, he confessed he thought it had something to do with steps. [In German, (Treppen)Stufen.]
2. I grew up in a time and place where classic rock was king. So I knew about the band for many years before I discovered where they'd gotten their name from.

Comments

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

But I read the book before I knew about the band.