see previous discussion: http://www.leo.org/cgi-bin/dict/forum/forum.c...

While "air sickness bag" is certainly correct, it is the "official" term, whereas the German "Kotztüte" is a rather colloquial expression. I think "barf bag" comes closest.

I think the "non-slangy" German word for Kotztüte is "Speitüte". It still has quite an amusing ring to it. Well, at least in my opinion.

In German it's also Spucktüte. But what's the 'official' term (corr. to air sickness bag)?

... and while we're at it:
Are there any specific Austrian or Swiss variants, perhaps a "Speibsackerl", or some kind of "-säckli"? :-)

the "official" German term (as printed on some bags) is "Spuckbeutel" or "Luftkrankheitstasche" (which seems to be a very bad translation of "air sickness bag").

woody: yes, the Austrian term is "Speibsackerl". (Neither "kotzen" nor "Tüte" are normally used here.)

cf. for German terms:
http://www.zeit.de/2001/21/Reisen/200121_inte...

woody: I agree with you about the word kotzen, but interestingly the word Kotztüte is not as offensive as the verb, and seems to be the most common term innormal speech. That is why I would say that sick bag is the corresponding term, not barf bag. However if we are talking about the word kotzen itself, you are definitely right.