Germans grew reluctant to stay in communal ski lodges, fearing they might talk in their sleep. They postponed surgeries because of the lip-loosening effects of anesthetic. Dreams reflected the ambient anxiety. One German dreamed that an SA man came to his home and opened the door to his oven, which then repeated every negative remark the household had made against the government. Erik Larson
About This Quote

This is a hilarious German proverb that has been around for decades. Often, the origin of this saying is attributed to the fact that the Germans were no longer willing to stay in communal ski lodges, fearing that they might talk in their sleep. This explains why they were staying elsewhere. However, the saying also refers to another common reason for people avoiding communal sleepovers, which was anesthetic-induced lip-loosening. It was not uncommon for people to postpone surgeries due to the effects of anesthesia on their lips, which they may have forgotten about under the influence of painkillers.

Source: In The Garden Of Beasts: Love, Terror, And An American Family In Hitlers Berlin

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