The German Embassy in Manila joined in the April Fools’ Day celebration and shared that Germany adopted the Filipino word “kilig” into Duden, Germany’s official vocabulary, as “kiligieren.”
It later revealed it was just an April Fools’ Day prank.
“A Filipino word has now been officially ‘Germanized’ and recognized in the Duden, Germany’s authoritative source of vocabulary,” the embassy posted on April 1.
++ Filipino word now Germanized! ++A Filipino word has now been officially "Germanized“ and recognized in the Duden,…
Posted by German Embassy Manila on Monday, April 1, 2019
It said that Germany recognized the non-translatable Filipino term “kilig” and adopted it as “kiligieren” with the same definition, a verb describing the feelings of happiness and excitement.
“For example, “Ich kiliegere wegen des Welpen” (I am super excited/happy because of the puppy),” it explained.
The post further cited the growing Filipino communities in Germany as the reason for the move.
“The Duden acknowledged that the growing communities of Filipinos in Germany are often heard using the term that it has begun entering the everyday speech (die Umgangsprache) in Germany,” the post said.
The announcement soon made rounds on Facebook and gathered interesting responses from Filipinos.
An hour later, the page clarified that it was just a prank for April Fool’s Day.
“The word “kiligieren” is actually not an officially recognized word. We just invented this for fun. But we see that many of you already found ways to use it,” the new post read.
++ Tada! Happy April Fool's Day!!!! ++The word "kiligieren" is actually not an officially recognized word. We just…
Posted by German Embassy Manila on Monday, April 1, 2019
The Filipino language has many words that can’t be translated into other languages aside from “kilig.”
These include the words “pambahay” or outfits that Filipinos only wear at home, “daw/raw” or a term used to indicate uncertainty and “gigil” or the irresistible urge to pinch cheeks or hit someone’s face.
The local envoy of Germany is also not the lone agency that enjoyed fooling Filipinos online that day.
Dunkin’ Donuts announced that its popular choco butternut flavor donuts were phased out. It soon said that it was just a joke, much to the relief of Filipino fans.
Of course this is a joke – it's April Fools' Day after all. 🤣 Get some Choco Butternut donuts today and enjoy them to your heart's content! 😋❤️ Don't take anything for granted and #MakeEveryDayBetter! 🤗🍩
Posted by Dunkin' Donuts on Sunday, March 31, 2019
KFC Philippines also shared that it is offering a new product called Quadruple Down. It even included a convincing photo advertisement of the large four-layered meat sandwich.
We’re doubling the Double Down for the hardcore meatheads. The KFC Quadruple Down, where sandwiches have never gone before.
Posted by KFC on Sunday, March 31, 2019
The page then retracted and said that the earlier post was not real.
“Happy April Fool’s! The Quadruple Down might not be real, but here’s something that is, the Zinger Double Down! You’d be a fool to miss out on this,” it said in the comments section.
