unanständigen

Unanständigen is typically seen as a nominalized plural form in German, most commonly written as "die Unanständigen" to mean "the indecent ones" or "the indecents." When written in lowercase, "unanständigen" functions as the inflected adjective in contexts such as "unanständigen Bemerkungen" (indecent remarks) or "unanständiges Verhalten" (indecent behavior). The noun usage is relatively rare in modern everyday speech and tends to appear in literary, historical, or rhetorical contexts.

Etymology and meaning: The term derives from the adjective "unanständig," formed with the prefix un- attached to "ständig." In this usage, it conveys not proper, not decent, or not appropriate conduct or appearance. The sense covers moral, social, or propriety-related improprieties and can apply to acts, remarks, or behavior deemed unacceptable by a given standard.

Usage and nuance: The word carries a strong negative evaluation and is often somewhat formal or polemical. Common collocations include "unanständiges Verhalten" and "unanständige Bemerkungen." As a noun, "die Unanständigen" may refer to a group of people perceived as lacking decency, a usage more likely to be found in historical accounts, editorial writing, or satirical prose than in neutral, contemporary everyday language.

See also: Unanständigkeit (indecency), anständig (decent), moralische Normen. In legal or formal contexts, phrases referring to improper or inappropriate conduct may be used instead of or alongside "unanständig," depending on jurisdiction and era.