Schnitzelbank

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The Schnitzelbank, or "drawing horse", is a woodworking tool used in Germany prior to the industrial revolution. Its name literally means "carving bench" (from Schnitzel: carve and bank: bench). It uses the mechanical advantage of a foot-operated lever to securely clamp the object to be carved. A variety of tools can then be employed to shape the object, most of which are knives or blades that are drawn towards the artisan.

A schnitzelbunk is also a short rhyming verse or song with humorous content. This word is masculine and takes the article "der", whereas the woodworking tool is feminine.

[edit] Song

A German-language ditty for children, The Schnitzelbank Song, is popular among German Americans with an interest in learning or teaching German to their offspring. It is often sung by adults for entertainment and nostalgia.

Another version is included in Billy Wilder's film "Stalag 17." In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded a rock and roll version called "Rockin' Rollin' Schitzelbank" for their album, Rockin' Around the World.

In 1994 Steven Spielberg's children's series Animaniacs used the song in one of its cartoon sketches. In it, the Warner siblings (Yakko, Wakko, and Dot) learn the song (known in the episode as the "international friendship song") from German Professor Otto Von Schnitzelpusskrankengescheitmeyer.