Herr
A masculine title of respect in German, similar to "Mr." in English. This title is appropriate for men of the professional class and above, or people whose wealth or authority entitle them to it. The title can be combined with a person's surname ("Herr Storting") or with his professional title ("Herr Lieutenant" or "Herr Candidate") even in a social setting. It is acceptable to use "Herr" with a hereditary title such as "Baron" also.
Frau
A feminine title of respect in German, similar to "Mrs." in English. This title is appropriate for all married women regardless of social class, although in practice women take on the social rank of their husbands. The word is applied to widows but not to minors or unmarried women. In German, the word "Frau" might mean "Mrs.", "woman", or "wife" depending on the context.
Fräulein
A feminine title of respect in German, similar to "Miss" in English. This title is appropriate for girls and unmarried women. The eldest unmarried daughter in a family of rank is frequently referred to by her last name, although it is acceptable to refer to her by a first name or a nickname also as long as it is preceded by "Fräulein".
-chen
A diminutive suffix attached to a person's name as a term of endearment. Used frequently for children, although adults who have a family or intimate emotional tie may use it with one another. Bertha rightly remarks that it is no longer appropriate for people outside Elise's family to refer to her as "Lieschen" since she is now an adult.
von
A portion of a surname that identifies the bearer of the name as part of a noble family. Examples in the text include von Ernau, von Osternau, and von Wangen. In the oldest families, such as Osternau and Wangen, there is an entailed family estate by the same name, although newer noble families such as the von Ernau family lack such a property. Although by law there can be only one holder of the title of "Baron" and one owner of the family estate and assets (Egon, for example, is not a nobleman at any point in the book), the use of "von" indicates a family connection to nobility.
Candidate
A professional title granted to a graduate of an educational academy who is officially qualified as a tutor or educator of young people. As with military titles or terms of relation such as "Cousin" it is acceptable to refer to a person by his or her professional title even in a social setting.
Schulze
A medieval title originally reserved for village officials that occasionally implies official responsibilities, but that also indicates wealth and social standing. This is not a hereditary title although it later became a surname.
thaler
A unit of currency throughout Silesia, including parts of present-day Germany and Poland. Three hundred thalers plus room and board were considered appropriate for the tutor Pigglewitch, however the sum was not enough to support the widowed Frau von Osternau who had to pay for her own room and board. A small farm might be purchased for thirty thousand thalers. Thalers were used in rural areas, but not in Berlin where the unit of currency was the mark. When Pigglewitch writes to Egon from Berlin to ask for money, he asks for "marks" and not "thalers". The word "thaler" is the origin of the English word "dollar".
drawing-room
A room in a wealthy household devoted to entertainment of families, close friends, and social equals. Originally called a "withdrawing-room", the drawing-room was the place where the women traditionally went after a meal to socialize while the men smokes or played billiards or cards. A drawing-room has enough space to seat several guests, and generally features a harp, piano, or musical instrument of some kind. The drawing-room is the domain of the lady of the house.
Silesia
A portion of Eastern Europe that is now mostly divided between Germany and Poland. Quicksands is set near modern-day Wrocław, which in German was called "Breslau".
