Are men named Fritz insulted by the expression "on the fritz"?

Yes, I am familiar with it. I still hear it.

But no, I wouldn’t expect Fritz to take it personally. Lots of names are also unrelated words; for example:

Bob
Rob
Sue
Matt
Bill
Don
Peg
Barb
Randy
Stew

Others enjoy special uses, such as “go to the john.”

I would expect that Fritz couldn’t help hearing his name in that expression, but it wouldn’t mean much to him, never mind insulting him. Could be worse. He could have been named Dick.

Inexplicably, I don’t know anyone named Fritz.

Maybe.

If my husbands name was Fritz I would say that all the time. “I want to be on the Fritz” (Or should it be In the Fritz?);)

But it’s not a bad name, I’ve met one kid with that name.

@Jeruba And Dick.

I knew a guy in the ARMY whose last name was Shmuck.

@kritiper, I said Dick.

No, but they are insulted when they are accused of trying to stage another holocaust when someone farts in an elevator.

The only time I heard the name or word Fritz is in the book called The Swiss Family Robinson.

The only Fritz I can list offhand is Fritz Kreisler. I can’t think of another.

Let’s start a Fritz list. I just remembered Fritz Lang. There are some games where it pays to be old.

I’ve only ever heard of 1 or maybe 2 Fritz. One was a US Senator that my Dad liked back in his day. I think I’ve seen a Fritz Freeleng (sp) who used to be an animator for Warner Brothers and I’m having flashes of Fritz the Cat—my Dad was a cartoon freak as well

@HP What do you call old? I’m sneaking up on 40. My neighbor’s kid was talking about another neighbor being old. I asked him at what age to people become old. He replied 37 (__ouch__)

My dad had an Uncle Fritz. and an Aunt Fanny. not related to each other

I was just going to say “Fritz the Cat,” but @SEKA beat me to it. I don’t think that particular Fritz was really insultable.

Not if their intelligent, mature adults.

We used the expression growing up, I don’t hear it very much lately.

Is the name Fritz German? I wonder if the expression is used where the name is more popular or just in the US?

I have an association with the name Fritz being a tall “German looking” man who works jobs like electrician or maybe as a butler. I’m sure that stereotype comes from somewhere.

My father’s family were all born in Germany, so yeah, I think Fritz is German. Just looked it up and it said:

“The name Fritz is primarily a male name of German origin that means Peace Ruler. Fritz was originally a contraction of Frederick.”