English with Dianne - November 2004

Slang Sports Terms used in Business

Ballpark figure (baseball) 1

D   eine Abschätzung

Can you give me a ballpark figure on how much the new advertising campaign is going to cost?

Call the shots (billiards) 2

A   die Regeln festlegen

Well, since he’s been promoted he is really calling the shots!

Be way off base (baseball) 3

E  daneben liegen

I think the marketing department is way off base with their new strategy.

Get the ball rolling (bowling) 4

B   etwas einsetzen

We need to get the ball rolling on the Siemens project.

To come out of left field (baseball) 5

C  etwas unerwartet

I wasn’t expecting such a positive outlook from the CEO for next quarter’s sales. That really came out of left field.

German Customs with Dianne - November 2004

Christmas in Germany - Fun Facts!

Who brings gifts to children on Christmas in Germany?

Answer: c. Kris Kringle

Germans traditionally believe that ChristKindl, the angel Christchild, (which has been changed to Kris Kringel in English after Germans came to America) brings them presents. However, the modern image of Santa Claus is ever present in Germany and this figure may even make a stop by your house on Christmas Eve, often being played by an uncle or neighbor.

***

Santa Claus illustration by German-American Thomas Nast in 1862.  It was coupled with Clement Moore’s poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and shown in Harper’s Weekly and Santa’s modern look was born.

In what German city do the relics of the Three Magi rest?

Answer : b. Cologne

The relics of the Three Magi are housed in the Cologne Cathedral. They were brought from Milan to Cologne by Archbishop Reinald von Dassel in 1146. Being a spectacular attraction visitors came from many countries to pay homage to the Three Magi raising the importance of the Cologne Cathedral.  

For more about the historical and religious background of Cologne:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04116a.htm

For more about the city of Cologne:

http://www.stadt-koeln.de/en/index.html

Around what year was the Christmas tree

first being used in Germany?

Answer: c. 1550

 It is often thought that Martin Luther (1483-1546) is responsible for bringing the Christmas tree into the season’s festivities. There are several songs and ballads dating from around 1550 that talk about the "Tannenbaum" or Christmas tree. However, the first officially recorded event dates from 1605 in a newspaper from Strasbourg in Alsace (at that time belonging to Germany). It was the German Royals that brought the Christmas tree to other parts of Europe and German emigrants that brought the tradition to America.

In Germany, it is still common to use real candles on the Christmas tree which creates a beautiful effect. There are special holders that attach to the tree limbs and they use short candles that burn relatively quick and the tree is never left unattended.

Source: http://www.german-way.com/german/christmas.html

On what day do Germans traditionally open their Christmas presents?

Answer: a. 24^th December

There is still quite a bit of tradition attached to this day as the tree is set up either on this day or only a few days prior to Christmas Eve, but is not allowed to be seen until the evening of the 24^th. This is the day for immediate family and they often sing songs, have dinner, and open presents together.

Yes, it’s true! Germans have two days (besides Christmas Eve) to celebrate Christmas. As the 24^th is typically reserved for immediate family, the 25^th is for extended family and the 26^th is for neighbors and friends.

Where is Germany’s most famous Christmas Market?

Answer:  a. Nuernberg

This is the most famous Christmas Market in Germany. It starts in mid November and goes until the 24^th of December. For more information please go to their website:

http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/index_e.html