Johanna Timm, PhD Nov 22, 2010:

agree with Brigitte re" strident" the onomatopeia of" poltern" should be taken into consideration
http://shortify.com/11477 - that's why "booming" is very fitting.

BrigitteHilgner Nov 18, 2010:

strident - not my choice Since I wasn't sure whether I could trust my gut feeling I consulted two dictionaries. Here is there translation suggestion for strident:
Langenscheidts Handwörterbuch:
1. durchdringend, schneidend, grell (Stimme, Laut)
2. knirschend
3. scharf, heftig
Pons Collins Großwörterbuch:
sound, voice: schrill, durchdringend
colour: grell
person: streitbar
criticism, tone: scharf
demand, protest: lautstark
"poltrig" is different from all that.

Johanna Timm, PhD Nov 18, 2010:

@Brigitte 'booming' was Sherey's own idea:-)

BrigitteHilgner Nov 18, 2010:

polternd is more frequently used than "polterig". I like Johannas suggestion (booming) - loud and agitated.

Guido Schenkel Nov 18, 2010:

I can't help you with the etymology, but "booming" is an excellent translation.

Johanna Timm, PhD Nov 18, 2010:

polterig ( Verb: poltern) is the more common spelling. And yes, it describes a "booming" kind of voice

Sherey Gould (asker) Nov 18, 2010:

Sorry, somehow I missed the "comments" section when asking this. I am just wondering if this might be an Old German word. I can't seem to find it anywhere. I am assuming it probably means "booming" or something like that from the context, just wanted to double check.
Thank you!