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The Rhineland Basic Law

Eleven Rhineland sayings in dialect – collected in 2001 by Konrad Beikircher, yet who originally wrote them and when remains unknown to this day.

Eleven dialect words of wisdom from the Rhineland together make up what is known as the Rhineland Basic Law – called et kölsche Jrundjesetz in Cologne dialect.

At a Glance

Type
Compilation of Rhineland sayings in dialect
Number of articles
11 (with additional supplements by other authors in some versions)
Publication
2001 by Konrad Beikircher in the book Et kütt wie et kütt – Das Rheinische Grundgesetz
Origin
The original authors and date of composition of the principles are unknown

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-25

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Historical Background

Who formulated the eleven principles and when they came into being is not known. As early as 1533, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim recorded a proverb according to which a foolish or hasty decision was referred to as a „Cölnisch gebott" or „Cölnischer Rahtschlag".

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Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-25

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