Kappes

• Kabbes (Moselle Franconian)

From Middle High German kabez, kappuz, kappiz, from Old High German kabuz, from Medieval Latin caputia, from Latin caput (“head”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈkapəs/

Kappes m (plural Kappesse)

1. (Ripuarian) cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

   Häste keine Kappes metjebrat?

   Didn't you bring any cabbage?

2. (Ripuarian, figuratively) nonsense

   Verzäll mer keine Kappes!

   Don't tell me such nonsense!

• Kabis, Kabbis, Kappus, Kabs, Kaps, Kobis, Koppis

From western German dialects including Central Franconian Kappes (“cabbage”). The meaning “nonsense” might be a loan translation of Kohl (etymology 2), the origins of which are quite unclear, however.

• IPA^(key): /ˈkapəs/

• Audio:

  (file)

Kappes m (strong, genitive Kappes, no plural) (Upper German, West Central German)

1. cabbage, Brassica oleracea

   Synonyms: Weißkraut, Weißkohl

   Ich mach heut' Abend Kappes-Durcheinander.

   I'm making a cabbage stew for dinner.

2. nonsense

   Synonyms: Unsinn, Kokolores, Kalaumes, Käse, Quark, Quatsch

   Erzähl mir keinen Kappes!

   Don't tell me such nonsense!

• In its original meaning “cabbage”, the word is now limited to western Germany and declining. In the figurative meaning, however, it is better known and indeed heard supraregionally (though marked as Rhenish as closeby as Eastern Westphalia).

• “Kappes” in Duden online
• “Kappes” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
• “Kappes” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon