Dilldapp is a term for a dim-witted person, particularly in Hesse, Upper Franconia, and the Hunsrück region. The exact origin of the word is unclear. The German linguists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and Matthias von Lexer derive the name from the Middle High German terms dieletâpe, titltapp, tilltappe, and point to the relationship to terms such as Dilpetatsch (Lorraine), Delbentritsch (Swabia), and Elwetritsch (Palatinate).
Dilldapp is also the name for a mythical hunting creature, a cross between a polecat or hamster, rabbit and deer, similar to the Wolpertinger. As such, the Dilldapp has also found its way into the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet. There are some carnival guilds that dress up as Dilldappen, for example in Todtnau -Brandenberg, Lenzkirch and Herten am Hochrhein. Another name for the mythical creature, which is particularly common in central Hesse, is Tilltapp. A distinction is made between Bergtilltappe, Wüstentilltappe, Stadttilltappe and Meerestilltappe.
According to legend, Dilldappen live in the Hauberg in the Siegerland region. They are described as extremely shy and feed mainly on potatoes (duffeln), which they steal from farmers' fields. Since 1982, the Siegerland author Matthias Kringe has published an annual Dilldappen calendar with comics in Siegerland Low German, and since 2008 also bilingual calendars in Low German and Standard German. The comic character Dilldappe looks like an upright rhinoceros hamster with a Mohawk haircut, a white horn, and brown fur. Its (fictional) Latin name is cricetus unicornis riivecoochis . Its body size is 30–40 centimeters, with large male specimens (called "Glonk") even up to 50 centimeters. The Dilldappen weighs around 3–4 kg. Dilldappen have a rasping tongue with which they can grate potatoes. In addition, if threatened, they can perform the "Siegerland tongue strike" with their tongue, in which they shoot their tongue out of their mouths at the attacker. The female Dilldapp lays one or two eggs in her lifetime. However, this is more than enough to ensure a stable population. Dilldapps are said to have a long life expectancy, living well over 100 years. Dilldapps have achieved cult status in the region; they are often used for advertising purposes. There are now even fan clubs. Furthermore, in many parts of the Siegerland region, the word "Dilldapp" is also used to describe residents of the neighboring Hessian town of Dillenburg, and describes a clumsy but lovable person. Many Dillenburg residents worked in the Siegerland region's flourishing steel industry from the 1960s to 1980s.
Since 2006, a Dilldappen hiking trail has existed in Netphen - Hainchen and the nearby Irmgarteichen, featuring information boards and figures at 10 locations. The figures were designed by chainsaw artist Michael Kolb from Freudenberg - Bühl.
