What is a doppelganger

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What is a doppelganger

A doppelganger is a mysterious, exact double of a living person. It's a German word that literally translates to "double walker" or "double goer". A doppelganger isn't someone who just resembles you, but is an exact double, right down to the way you walk, act, talk, and dress. A friend or even a close relative who encounters your doppelganger will swear it was you, even though you can prove you were not in the location the double was sighted. Sightings and reports of doppelgangers have been around for centuries, and a great deal of superstition has developed around them. Traditionally, they have been viewed as sinister or even evil entities. Seeing a doppelganger has also been considered an omen of misfortune or bad luck. Most often today, however -- as r eports of doppelgangers show -- they seem to be neither sinister nor evil, nor do they herald streaks of bad luck. Although some have been known to cause mischief. They just seem to be, going about their business as if they are normal human beings. And perhaps they are. Many reports of doppelgangers are probably cases of mistaken identity, but such an explanation becomes harder to accept when they are seen by best friends, siblings, and parents who know the real person intimately. It seems hard to believe that they would be fooled by another person who simply resembles the original. And how likely is it that they would have the exact same haircut and clothes, as is so often reported? Doppelgangers are frequently used as a plot device in literature, television shows, and movies.

Have you ever seen someone that looks a lot like you?

In modern times, the term twin stranger is occasionally used. In English, the word is generally written with a lower-case letter, and the umlaut on the letter "a" is usually dropped: "doppelganger". English-speakers have only recently applied this German word to a paranormal concept. Francis Grose 's, Provincial Glossary of used the term fetch instead, defined as the "apparition of a person living. The concept of alter egos and double spirits has appeared in the folklore, myths, religious concepts, and traditions of many cultures throughout human history. In Ancient Egyptian mythology , a ka was a tangible "spirit double" having the same memories and feelings as the person to whom the counterpart belongs.

According to German folklore, all living creatures have a spirit double who is invisible but identical to the living individual. These second selves are perceived as being distinct from ghosts which appear only after death , and sometimes they are described as the spiritual opposite or negative of their human counterparts. Send us feedback about these examples. Accessed 14 Mar. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! See Definitions and Examples ». Cite this Entry Citation Share. Log In. Did you know?

What is a doppelganger

In modern times, the term twin stranger is occasionally used. In English, the word is generally written with a lower-case letter, and the umlaut on the letter "a" is usually dropped: "doppelganger". English-speakers have only recently applied this German word to a paranormal concept. Francis Grose 's, Provincial Glossary of used the term fetch instead, defined as the "apparition of a person living.

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Translations Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. What are you wondering? French English to French. Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms. German English to German. Life of Dr. Wonder What's Next? Most often today, however -- as r eports of doppelgangers show -- they seem to be neither sinister nor evil, nor do they herald streaks of bad luck. Many reports of doppelgangers are probably cases of mistaken identity, but such an explanation becomes harder to accept when they are seen by best friends, siblings, and parents who know the real person intimately. What questions would you have? English—Indonesian Indonesian—English. A week after Mary's nearly fatal miscarriage , in the early hours of June 23 Percy had had a nightmare about the house collapsing in a flood, and also.

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Bilingual Dictionaries. Build your vocabulary. Johns Hopkins University Press , Baltimore , Quiz German confusables. Francis Grose 's, Provincial Glossary of used the term fetch instead, defined as the "apparition of a person living. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. First Known Use. The English Dialect Dictionary. Bald and R. Donne was not able to make a present answer: but, after a long and perplexing pause, did at last say, I have seen a dreadful Vision since I saw you: I have seen my dear wife pass twice by me through this room, with her hair hanging about her shoulders, and a dead child in her arms: this, I have seen since I saw you. Mastering politeness in English: Harness the charm of 'please' and 'thank you' for positive and impactful communication. Cell Reports. He was finally released after someone was found who shared a striking resemblance and the same first name. Palgrave Macmillan. Lily spots a pretzel vendor whom she thinks looks like Barney, but in reality looks nothing like him.