Compliment or criticism 00:01 Dec 27, 2013
It can be both a compliment and appreciative criticism.
Til Eulenspiegel is an excellent example of a figure who has it "faustdick hinter den Ohren"
Can also be used to describe a con man (confidence trickster) or grifter (in the criminal/fraudulent sense of the expression.
In the north of England, we would say "By 'eck, tha's a canny lad" or "Tha's a clevver 'un if ivver there was".
Used to appreciate or complement cleverness or being successful against the odds. Also as appreciative criticism of cheating someone out of something in a clever way, or pulling the wool over their eyes - a German example of the latter would be the Hauptmann von Köpenick | 
