werweissen

Etymology
The word is a verbal derivative of the expression “ … …” meaning “ … …”. Thus, literally “to who-knows”.

Pronunciation

 * (Standard German of Germany)
 * (Standard German of Switzerland)

Verb

 * 1)  to speculate, to guess, to take a shot in the dark; to   undecided, hesitating, unsure; to ask oneself (  do)
 * 2) * 1990, Felix Mettler: Der Keiler: Roman. Ammann, Zürich, ISBN 3-250-10137-0, page 73 (Google Books; retrieved October 11, 2015):
 * "de"
 * "de"

- Sie kamen auf der kurzen Fahrt zur medizinischen Fakultät wieder auf Götze zu sprechen, werweißten weiter um sein Wegbleiben, auch jetzt, ohne eine sinnvolle Erklärung zu finden.



Usage notes

 * Since the word is exclusively used by Swiss Germans and s the orthographical form “werweissen” is predominantly in use with rare exceptions (see the first quotation of 1990). However, in some print media outside of Switzerland and the orthographical form “werweißen” is at times found as well.