Wecker

Wecker is the German word for an alarm clock, a device designed to awaken a person at a set time. The term covers mechanical alarm clocks as well as other waking devices, including electric and digital models. In German, the common phrase "den Wecker stellen" means to set the alarm.

Etymology: The word derives from the verb wecken (to wake) with the agent noun suffix -er, indicating something that wakes.

History: Alarm devices appeared in Europe in the late Middle Ages, with early clocks signaling by a bell and hammer. The mechanical wind-up alarm clock became widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries, later supplemented by electric and battery-powered models. From the late 20th century, smartphones and other digital devices increasingly perform the same function.

Types and features: Typical forms include mechanical wind-up, electric, and radio-controlled alarms, as well as travel alarms. Common features comprise bells or chimes, snooze functions, vibration options, multiple alarm times, and adjustable loudness.

Usage and culture: In German-speaking countries, the Wecker is a common household object and appears in daily language, as in phrases about setting or disabling it. Modern usage often substitutes smartphones or multitasking devices for dedicated alarm clocks, but regional and personal preferences vary.

Surname use: Wecker is also a German-language surname. It may appear in historical records and contemporary contexts as a family name.