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"mox nix" "Mocks Nicks" "Machts nichts" actually Macht Nichts

Posted by David P. Hagar on April 11, 2003

I'm new to this site, having stumbled onto it when seeing a reference to an old thread about "mox nix." so this one may have already been settled. If so, then macht nichts. But for those still interested, the correct spelling is 'Macht Nichts'

a German colloquial expression which basically means never mind, or it makes no difference. "machts nichts" is similar to the English Colloquial expression "whatever," although I'd say usually 'whatever' usually has a negative connotation directed toward the person to whom you are speaking (i.e., 'I don't care what you say')

"macht nichts" - 'never mind' also "schon gut"

"das macht nichts - 'this/that doesn't matter'

"es machtnichts wenn" - 'there's no harm if...'

The spelling "mox nix" has become popular, so much so that I dare say Webster should consider entering it in the dictionary as a colloquial English express with roots in German. I even use 'mox nix' sometimes because readers are more likely to recognize the expression in this form.

Guten Tag,
David

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