Gretchenfrage

From Gretchen (diminutive of Grete = Margarete) +‎ Frage (“question”). Refers to Goethe's Faust (published 1808), where the character of Gretchen asks the protagonist, who is secretly in league with the devil: Nun sag, wie hast du's mit der Religion? (“Now say, what is your stance on religion? ≈ what's the role of religion in your life?”). The expression of Gretchenfrage was coined in the mid-19th century (attested 1865 in Löwe [ed.], Schlesische Provinzialblätter, issue 1168, p. 147).

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡʁeːtçənˌfʁaːɡə/

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Gretchenfrage f (genitive Gretchenfrage, plural Gretchenfragen)

1. a question as to the addressee's religiosity or belief in God
2. a question that goes to the core of an issue, especially by exposing fundamental conflicts
3. a crucial question that is difficult or unpleasant to answer truthfully

• “Gretchenfrage” in Duden online