My Name Is Hase: I Don't Know Anything About Anything. In German, you can say "Mein Name ist Hase, ich weiß von nichts" (My name is "Hase" (hare), I don't know anything about anything) if you don't know anything or if you want to pretend you haven't got a clue.
This idiomatic phrase goes back to Victor Hase who used this as a defense in court. But let's start at the beginning.
Karl Victor Hase was studying law in Heidelberg in 1854. He had a friend who shot somebody during a duel (which was illegal) and had to leave the country. His plan was to go to France and join the Foreign Legion. But in order to cross the border, he needed ID. Victor coincidentally "lost" his student ID which his friend "found" and used to get into France where he then again "lost" Victor's ID card.
However, the card was found and send to the University in Heidelberg. The administration took notice of Hase and questioned him about the incident. He replied, "Mein Name ist Hase, ich verneine die Generalfragen, ich weiß von nichts." - My name is Hase, I negate/deny all general question, I know about nothing. Over time, the middle part was omitted, and the phrase consists only of the "Mein Name ist Hase, ich weiß von nichts." You can even only say the first part, and people will know what you are referring to.
Victor Hase wasn't charged with anything and became a lawyer. He also joined the military, practiced law but got sick with a typhoid, lung infection, and eventually died on April 30, 1860.
My name is Samuel. I don't know anything about anything 😂😹
The German idiomatic phrase sounds pitchy 💯
Credit:More Than Beer and Schnitzel
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