Below is a list of German expressions used in English. Some are relatively common (such as hamburger or gestalt), but most are comparatively rare. In many cases, the German borrowing in English has assumed a substantially different meaning than its German forebear.
German words have been incorporated into English usage for various reasons. Common cultural items, especially foods, have spread to English-speaking nations and are often identified by their German names. The history of excellence among German-speaking nations in science, scholarship, and classical music has led to many German words being adopted by academics for use in English contexts. Discussion of German history and culture requires use of German words. Lastly, some German words are used simply to a fictional passage by implying that the thing being expressed is German, as in Frau or Reich, although sometimes the use of German terms has no German implication, as in doppelganger or angst.
English and German are descended from the same common ancestor, called Proto-Germanic. Because of this, a number of English words are identical to their German counterparts either in spelling (Hand, Finger) or in pronunciation (Fish = Fisch). These words are excluded from this list.
Führer (umlaut is usually dropped in English) -- always used in (American) English to denote Hitler or to connote a Fascistic leader -- never used, as is possible in German, simply and unironically to denote a (non-Fascist) leader, i.e. Bergführer just means Mountain Guide
Hände hoch -- "hands up"
Herr -- evokes German context; but used with military titles ("Herr Oberst"), immediately connotes Nazi era to (American) English listeners.
Lederhosen (Singular Lederhose in German denotes one pair of leathery trousers. The original Bavarian word is Lederhosn, which is both singular and plural.)
Nein, "no"
Reich -- to (American) English speakers, "Reich" does not denote its literal meaning, "empire", but strongly connotes Naziism and is often used to suggest Fascism or authoritarianism, e.g., "Herr Reichsminister" used as a title for a disliked politician.
Jawohl
Kommandant -- officer or person in command, especially of a military camp or U-Boot. (Applies regardless of military rank, in distinction to the English "commander".)
Fahrvergnugen (German spelling: Fahrvergnügen, literally pleasure of driving. Caused widespread puzzlement in America when used in a Volkswagen advertising campaign.)
