Does German culture have a particular affinity to slingshots? originally appeared on Quora, the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.

You can easily see how popular slingshots are in Germany just by looking at how many terms the German language has for it. This is a very common scientific approach for judging the cultural impact of an object. Wikipedia (German version) lists no less than 17 different names Germans have for slingshots (Zwackel, Zwuschel, Flitsche, Fletsche, Zwistel, Zwiesel, Katapult, Kartzi, Katschi, Schlatsche, Kreuzbergschleuder, Spatzenschießer, Zwockel, Gambel, Schlatte, Steinschleuder or Schleuder), whereas the English wiki only lists eight - and those are common only in individual national areas, such as the UK or Australia. Seems like in those countries, there is only one name for the slingshot. Germany, that fits twice into Texas, has 17. Go figure.

As firearms are heavily regulated in Germany and young boys can not really shoot guns legally at all in this densely populated country, the slingshot is very often the very first experience a German boy has when it comes to shooting projectiles.

Blowguns and bows are unregulated too, but those are much more expensive and the ammo is costly too. A normal slingshot is easy enough to make and the ammo is free (stones). Therefore, many young boys spend hours and hours, year after year, practicing with the slingshot. Until other things take over, like parties, girls and careers.

But as well all know, grown men often rediscover things they liked as a boy at some point in their adult lives - model trains, baseball cards, RC toys, the works. Same with slingshots!

Even in German literature the slingshot has a firm place. Ernst Jünger’s famous novel “Die Zwille” (“The Slingshot”) even puts one into the very center of the plot.

So yes, I say the slingshot has a special place in the hearts of the Germans.

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