fritz
[frits]Informal.
- fritz out, to become inoperable.
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- on the fritz, not in working order: Our TV went on the fritz last night.
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Origin of fritz
First recorded in 1900–05; of obscure origin
Fritz
[frits]
- Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a German, especially a German soldier.
- a male given name.
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Origin of Fritz
1910–15; < German; common nickname for Friedrich
Usage note
Fritz was a nickname used by Allied soldiers for a German soldier during World War I and II.
Mondale
[mon-deyl]
- Walter FrederickFritz, born 1928, U.S. politician: senator 1965–77; vice president 1977–81.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for fritz
Contemporary Examples
Hitchcock also met Fritz Lang, who was later to work in Hollywood.
I ordered the same beer she had, and for the next two hours, we drank this refreshing brew: Fritz Briem Berliner Weisse “1809.”
And then she tasted the Fritz Briem Berliner Weisse 1809, and everything changed.
McMahon, who succeeds Fritz Winans, was the former CEO of St. John.
Listen to any score by Richard Rodgers or Leonard Bernstein or Fritz Loewe if you want to hear genuine melodic invention.
Historical Examples
She danced around in such excitement that Fritz barked wildly.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an illustrated weekly.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
She had expected to keep Fritz in her room at night for company.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
They could not help smiling at Fritz as he frisked about in his imposing rose-collar.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
“I didn't said dot I vould be a goot sby, Dick,” responded Fritz.
The Dare Boys of 1776Stephen Angus Cox
Mondale
- Walter (Frederick). born 1928, US Democratic politician; vice president of the US (1977–81)
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for fritz
Fritz
German familiar form of masc. proper name Friedrich; as a characteristic name for a German, from 1883, especially in World War I. On the fritz "inoperative" (1903) is American English slang, of unknown origin. Earliest references suggest a theatrical origin.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with fritz
fritz
see on the blink (fritz).
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.