The German word mauscheln is derived from the Yiddish language. It's original meaning is 'to talk like a Jewish trader' (Mausche = Yiddish word for Mose). Today the verb has a negative connotation and means 'to use dishonest tricks to reach an aim', 'to cheat'. Althaus examines the history of the word and asks how this negative connotation has developed and how the word was (and is ) applied as a weapon and defamation among artists, politicians and scientists. In this way the author depicts a fascinating picture of cultural history, - focussed in the colourful history of a single manysided word.