Swabian salute

The term Swabian salute (German: schwäbischer Gruß) is a partly humorous, partly euphemistic reference to the expression Leck mich am Arsch (akin to expression "kiss my arse", but literally "lick me on the arse") which is a common profanity.

[1] Perhaps the idea which is expressed in the literal meaning goes back to ancient magic conceptions that turning the bare bottom towards a danger or unwanted person (a demon, a witch, a curse) will work as a protection spell – see Anasyrma.

[clarification needed] Stone depictions of this act can be found on gates and walls of medieval buildings such as castles, town fortifications, monasteries and even churches in south Germany (not limited to Swabia), Austria, eastern France and some other places in Spain and Italy.

[citation needed] Although very common in most German-speaking areas with the possible exception of the extreme north of Germany, the Swabian salute is used for a whole number of purposes among the people of Swabia, Baden, parts of Bavaria and Austria, while in most other regions it is regarded as a rather vulgar insult only.

The Swabian salute was immortalized in Goethe's drama Götz von Berlichingen and can also be found in title and text of two of Mozart's 1782 canons, "Leck mich im Arsch" and "Leck mir den Arsch fein recht schön sauber"; the composer of the second is now thought to be Wenzel Trnka, but the words are attributed Mozart.