Klabautermann

The Hobgoblin, Kalfatermann or Klabattermann (of klabastern Low German " rumble ", " noisily go around " or also down German caulk " with pitch and oakum seal " ) is in the seafaring superstition a ship ghost or goblin, the - mostly invisible - warns the captain with dangers. The figure of Klabautermannes is connected to the sailing ships. This helps in the shipbuilding, the densities of the ship deck and enjoys playing practical jokes. On board it is noticeable by Tumbling and Bumsgeräusche. They say: "If he knocks, he left when he jerks himself off, he goes. " Its appearance resembles that of a sailor - with hammer and whistle, sometimes with seaman's chest, with red hair and green teeth. If he shows up, so this is a bad sign. He leaves the ship until it goes down.

According to an old sailor tradition belongs to every ship a chicken to deter Klabautermanns.

The Hobgoblin found its way into the literature by Heinrich Heine, Friedrich Gerstäcker, Christian Morgenstern and Theodor Storm. The poet and writer Klabund explains his pseudonym as a combination of " hobgoblin " and " vagabond ". Even the kids figure Pumuckl by Ellis Kaut is a " descendant of Klabauter ".

In the card game double header there is a game variant where you get a bonus point if one party catches a King of Spades of the opposing party by the Queen of Spades. The latter is then called " Hobgoblin ".