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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Oettinglisch” is a common card of the German Memes pack, number 114 of the collection, and the 150th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Oettinglisch” meme mean?
The term gently mocks English spoken with such a strong German accent that it becomes nearly unintelligible to native speakers, all while the speaker stays fully confident. It is used to tease anyone who dives into a foreign language without mastering the pronunciation, or to describe a botched international speech despite good intentions.
Where does the “Oettinglisch” meme come from?
In 2010, Günther Oettinger, then European Commissioner for Energy, delivered a speech in English to an international audience. His very strong Swabian accent, intonation, and some rough phrasing made the speech hard to follow for English speakers, sparking a wave of mockery in Germany. Satirists and comedians replayed extracts of the speech, and the word “Oettinglisch” quickly took hold in the media to describe this particular style. The episode became a recurring symbol of the gap between the confidence shown by some German officials and their actual English level, replayed each time a politician struggles to speak the language.
- 2010Günther Oettinger delivers his English speech on energy, giving birth to the term Oettinglisch
How to use the “Oettinglisch” meme
- People call it “Oettinglisch” when a coworker presents in English with a heavy accent.
- The phrase comes back whenever an official speaks abroad without mastering the language.
- A TV sketch replays the style to parody a botched international speech.
Also searched as
- Oettinger English
- Oettingerisch
- oettinglisch meme
- günther oettinger english speech
- oettinger energy speech english
- oettinglisch meaning
- oettinger english accent
The “Oettinglisch” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 114 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | German Memes pack |
| Fame | 50/100 · #150 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Oettinglisch” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Oettinglisch comes out of the German Memes pack as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Oettinglisch”
More cards of the German Memes pack
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Oettinglisch meme come from?
It comes from a 2010 speech by German EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, delivered in English with a thick Swabian accent, which made all of Germany laugh.
What does Oettinglisch mean?
The word describes English spoken with such a strong German accent that it becomes hard to understand, despite the speaker's confidence.
Who is Günther Oettinger?
A German politician (CDU), a former European Commissioner, known for his very particular English.
How do I get the Oettinglisch meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Oettinglisch” is a common card of the German Memes pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Oettinglisch card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Günther Oettinger — Wikipedia · checked on October 30, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.