K.u.k.

The abbreviation k. u. k. (or k. und k.) stands for kaiserlich und königlich -- German for Imperial and Royal.

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The phrase refers to the so-called "Dual Monarchy" of Austria-Hungary: The Emperor of Austria also reigned, in personal union, as the King of Hungary. All government acts took place in the name of "His Imperial and Royal Majesty": most of the time abbreviated to "k. u. k.". Also, all governmental institutions and offices had a name prefixed with "k. u. k.".

Related Topics:
Austria-Hungary - Emperor of Austria - Personal union - King of Hungary

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The ubiquity of this phrase in all administrative matters made it a synonym for the Dual Monarchy, often referred to even today as "the k. u. k. monarchy".

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In Czech the equivalent abbreviation appears as "C. a K.", in Polish – as "C. i K." or "CK".

Related Topics:
Czech - Polish

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Arising from the term "k.u.k." we find the name "Kakania", sometimes used to describe the Empire as a state of mind, bureaucratic and with a very stratified formal society (e.g. in work of Robert Musil). The name "Kakania", by means of a childish German-language pun, also expresses the idea of "shittiness".

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