PROSIT:pro·sit
Pronunciation:
\ˈprō-zət,
-sət\ Variant(s):
or
prost
\ˈprōst\
Etymology: German, from Latin
prosit may it be
beneficial, from
prodesse to be useful — more at
proud
Date: 1846
—used to wish good health especially before drinking
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Why is
Oktoberfest called "Oktober"-fest when it actually
begins in September?
The first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honor
of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to
Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The
festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on
October 17th with a horse race. In the following years,
the celebrations were repeated and, later, the festival
was prolonged and moved forward into September.
By moving the festivities up, it allowed for better weather
conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the
visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and
the stroll over “die Wiesen” or the fields much longer without
feeling chilly. Historically, the last Oktoberfest weekend was
in October and this tradition continues into present times. |
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Gemütlichkeit
(pronounced
[gəˈmyːtlɪçkaɪt])
is a
German
abstract noun
that has been adopted into English[1].
Its closest equivalent is the word "coziness"; however, rather
than merely describing a place that is compact, well-heated and
nicely furnished (a cozy room, a cozy flat),
Gemütlichkeit
connotes
the
notion of belonging, social acceptance, cheerfulness, the
absence of anything hectic and the opportunity to spend
quality time.
The word Lederhosen is frequently misspelled and
mispronounced in the English language as "leiderhosen"
(literal German meaning: regrettably-breeches) or "liederhosen"
(literal German meaning: songs-breeches) and should
rhyme with "lai-der hose-n".
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Lederhosen |
Dirndl
The dirndl consists of a
bodice,
blouse,
full
skirt and
apron. While
appearing to be simple and plain, a properly-made, modern dirndl may be
quite expensive. In the South German dialects (bairisch),
'dirndl' originally referred to a young woman or a girl. Nowadays,
'dirndl' may equally refer to either a young woman, or to the dress |
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. |
Oktoberfest Bier
Oktoberfest beer is of a variety called Märzen. Darker
and stronger than traditional beer, Märzen contains up to
6% alcohol, is bottom-fermented, and is lagered for at least 30
days. Before the advent of modern refrigeration techniques, this
type of beer was brewed in March (as its name suggests) and
allowed to age through the summer, so that it was ready to drink
by late summer or early fall. Like all German beer, the
Oktoberfest beer is brewed according to strict German standards
(called the Reinheitsgebot and in effect since 1516) that
precisely define the four ingredients allowed in the brewing of
beer: barley, hops, malt, and yeast.
Just 6 Munich breweries - Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu,
Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten - are permitted to serve beer at
the festival. 14 larger and several smaller beer tents and beer
gardens provide enough seating for 98,000 visitors at a time.
Beer is served by the Maß, a one-liter mug, and costs about 7.50
euros. Beer maids and waiters must be able to carry 10 of these
beer-filled mugs at a time. |
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Bratwurst
(pronounced: [ˈbraːtvʊɐst] is a sausage composed of pork, beef, and sometimes veal. The name is German, derived from Old High German brätwurst, from brät- which is fine chopped meat and -wurst, sausage. Though the brat in bratwurst describes the way the sausages are made, it is often misconstrued to be derived from the German verb "braten", which means to pan fry or roast. Etymology aside, frying and roasting are far from the most common methods of preparation. Bratwurst is usually grilled and sometimes cooked in broth or beer.
Brezn (n.)
Bavarian pretzel. Aesthetically twined string of dough, baked to a
pastry. At the Oktoberfest, the giant "Riesnbrezn" are especially
beloved.
Words to Ein Prosit! , to be sung with bier stein/glass
in hand.
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der
gemiitlichkeit
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der gemiitlichkeit
(Cheer!) Eins, zwei, Drei g'suffa!
Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,
Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,
Prosit!
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