[galaxyLogic]

I think it comes from Einstein whose Gedanken Experiments lead to the discovery of relativity. Einstein came from a German-speaking country.

So what the authors are saying is "We're basically doing a similar thing as Einstein did". Jargon is to be avoided but this is more like a tribute to the great physicist Einstein.

[dr_kiszonka]

A less charitable interpretation would be that is a form of self-aggrandizement.

[corney91]

It's a pretty standard word used in quantum physics.

Source: I did a masters in the subject and remember reading it a lot.

[galaxyLogic]

There is something to it. If you say it is a "thought experiment" the interpretation is "of it's juts your thoughts right?" When you say "Gedanken ... " it means this is part of real research in physics (since E did it this way)

[77pt77]

It's both.

[euroderf]

Sort of like wrapping yourself in the flag.

Of Einstein.