Welcome to the Oktoberfest -
Warm-up: How to talk like a Bavarian Seppl
Before we´ll get drunk have some fun in- and outside the big tents, I´d love to introduce a bit of the Bavarian tongue to you. Our Bavarian friends are proud of thier own patois - differing lots of the so called “proper German”. The first phrase coming up to mind is:
Bavarian: “I moag oa noa oa oa hoam.”
German:”Ich möchte auch noch ein Ei haben.”
English:”I´d like to have another egg.”
The best easy as 1-2-3 one-word-example for the dialect is the Bavarian “Oachkatzlschwoaf” (= Eichhörnchenschwanz). No, I won´t say this 12 times fast after my first “Mass” at the Oktoberfest! *g* So, what is the meaning of Oachkatzlschwoaf? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?
You see, for non-Bavarians, like all of us Cyber Cruisers (including me), communication with the “locals” can sometimes be rather troublesome. The Oktoberfest dictionary solves this problem: If you should encounter an unfamiliar word, you can look it up here easily. In addition to traditional Oktoberfest words and phrases, you will find Bavarian everyday words which will help you on your visit.
Since no official written form of Bavarian exists, the words are written in a phonetic form based on German pronunciation! Have fun!
A
arschlings (adj.) :
backwards, more specific: “in your behinds direction”.
aufmischen (v.)
to spank or wallop.
aufstoein (v.)
to donate a beer.
B
Bappn (n.)
mouth or face; also one the seems contorted due to pain or a bad mood.
Batzerl (n.)
small amount of something.
Biafuizl (n.)
beer mat, is often used by the waitress/waiter as a note pad where dashes indicates the quantity of beer ordered by the guest.
biddscheen (n.)
please, can also mean “here you are” when someone is giving or serving something.
Brezn (n.)
Bavarian pretzel. Aesthetically twined string of dough, baked to a pastry. At the Oktoberfest, the giant “Riesnbrezn” are especially beloved.
Brotzeit (n.)
cold meal for dinner; pretzel, cheese radish etc.
Busserl (n.)
term for a swift kiss, often on other parts of the face or body than the mouth. Example: „Busserl aufs Backerl“ (kiss on the cheak). More intensive kiss mutations, as the French kiss, are not included in this term.
C
Cafe Viereck (n.)
jail, prison, slammer.
D
Dackl (n.)
dachshund; popular Bavarian dog, in addition the Oktoberfest mascot. Q.v. Wastl
E
Eigschnappter (n.)
an offended person; q.v. Lebawurst
F
fualn (n.)
above the table people hook fingers, but when people secretly have toe-to-toe contact under the table, it usually gets more interesting.
Fuchzga (n.)
fifty-Euro note.
G
Gamsbart (n.)
traditional Bavarian hat adornment, every proper Oktoberfest visitor should posses one.
gamsig (adj.)
epitome for interest of pairing. Among the youth also a term for sexual state of emergency.
Gaudi (n.)
jollity, fun, spree
Gaudinockerln (n.)
luxuriantly breasts
H
Hasal (n.)
bunny, lambkin;
Haud scho (n.)
Yes!, expression of success.
I/J
Janker (n.)
livery jacket. Is worn in combination with Lederhose.
jodeln (v.)
artistic, falsetto-like singing in the tone syllables. Frequently performed by less talented yodellers during the Oktoberfest.
K/L
Lebawurscht, beleidigte (n.)
offended person, mortally offended.
Lewakaas (n.)
Leberkaese (Liver-cheese), bavarian butchery speciality, contains neither liver nor cheese. Often served in a bun (”Lewakaassemme”).
M
Mass (n.)
one litre beer, important Bavarian measurement.
Masskruagstemma (n.)
a contest, where the contestant must hold one maß beer with straight arms. The one who can carry the beer longest, wins.
Mognschoaß (n.)
belch, eructation. Unpopular in the beer tents, occurs more frequently with an increased consumption of beer.
Moosbummerl (n.)
hillbilly, redneck.
Mordsmassl (n.)
enormous luck.
N
nimma (adj.)
no more.
Noagerl (n.)
the last remainder of a beverage in a glass.
Noagerlzuzla (n.)
person who drinks the last remainders from abandoned glasses, also used as a cuss.
O
Oachkatzlschwoaf (n.)
the best example for the “difference” between proper German and Bavarian dialect. Oachkatzlschwoaf = Eichhörnchenschwanz (tail of a squirrel)
obandeln (v.)
to flirt, mostly with one explicit intention.
Obazda (n.)
bavarian cheese speciality with Camembert, onion, paprika, caraway, butter and sometimes also beer, can be acquired in most Oktoberfest tents.
Formaggio tipico bavarese con camembert, cipolla, perperoni, burro.
ogschdocha (adj.)
tipsy.
oide Schaesn (n.)
patronising term for an old woman. Also used for cars.
ozapfa (v.)
to tap a beer barrel. The Oktoberfest is each year inaugurated with a ceremonial taping of the first barrel of beer in the Schottenhammel tent. The mayor of Munich attach the tap with as few hits as possible. When the tap has been attached the mayor shouts “O’zapft is!” (“it is tapped!”). Twelve shots indicate for the other beer tents, that beer may be served.
P-R
Ratschkathl (n.)
chatty and gossip addicted woman.
Rauschada (n.)
drunk, drunkard; a relatively frequent sight at Oktoberfest.
S
Schlachtschuessl (n.)
hefty meal, mainly consisting of sausages and other meat.
Schmarrn (n.)
absurdity, nonsense.
Schmatzerl (n.)
like a Busserl, but somewhat moister.
Schnaggler (n.)
hiccup.
T
Teifi (n.)
devil, appears after a couple of Maß.
trazn (v.)
to irritate, to annoy.
U
Uaviech (n.)
primal animal, real man.
V
vareckt (v.)
1) dead
2) insidious
varuafa (adj.)
to have a bad reputation.
W
Wampn (n.)
patronising expression for a oversized oft hanging belly. Caused either through a large consumption of foods with a high fat content or beer.
Wastl (n.)
typical name of a Bavarian dachshund; often also “Struppi”.
Weckerl (n.)
bun, roll.
Weissbia (n.)
wheat beer, only in the smaller beer tents at Oktoberfest.
Weisswurscht (n.)
White sausage, eaten with sweet mustard. Please note that the skin must by no means be eaten.
Wolpertinger (n.)
mythical creature in Bavarian fairytales. Combines attributes of various different local animals.
X-Z
zupf de (v.)
back off, get lost
Are you ready for some Oktoberfest Gaudi? See ya tomorrow, right here =)
catch ya,
And now…
… our moment of Homer J.:
Homer: Got any of that beer that has candy floating in it? You know, Skittlebrau?
Apu: Such a beer does not exist, sir. I think you must have dreamed it.
Homer: Oh. Well, then just give me a six-pack and a couple of bags of Skittles.
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