linnudel

Linnudel is a fictional term used in online speculative fiction and puzzle communities to denote a whimsical, noodle-like concept. The term does not refer to a real food or material in standard culinary or industrial contexts, and its meaning varies by source.

The coinage appears to blend elements associated with linen or fiber (such as "lin-") with "noodle," creating a metaphor for something delicate, tangled, or translucent. Its exact origin remains uncertain, but it has circulated in fan-fiction, puzzle threads, and informal glossaries since the early 2010s.

In fiction, linnudels are sometimes described as slender, curved strands with magical or puzzle-related properties, while in online challenges they may serve as playful categories for clues or wordplay. There is no single canonical recipe or definition.

Reception of linnudel is generally lighthearted; it is treated as a whimsical meme or a playful device rather than a serious concept. Critics note that its meaning can be diffuse and highly context-dependent.

Related terms include noodle, pasta, neologism, and wordplay.