Literal: Destiny Day.
Meaning: A term historians coined for 9. November, since a couple of significant historical events in Germany happened on a 9. November (→Wikipedia). The term was heavily used after 9. November 1989, when the Berlin wall fell, which eventually lead to the German reunion.
Literal: Cousin Economy.
Meaning: Term for when a person gives jobs or other favours to family and close friends instead of giving them to the person who deserves them most.
Literal: Smartshitter.
Meaning: Know-it-all.
Literal: Beer Tent Set
Meaning: A set of a long wooden table and two wooden benches, usually found at carnivals in the tents, where food and drinks are served. The set can be stored easily by collapsing the legs of the benches and table.
Literal: Gingerbread Heart
Meaning: A big heart-shaped gingerbread you can buy at carnivals, such as the Oktoberfest. Traditionally a guy buys one for his date, and when buying it, he can choose between different writings on the heart to express his feelings. The date would then wear the Lebkuchenherz on a string around her neck.
Literal: It is tapped. (Bavarian dialect for “Es ist angezapft”.)
Meaning: “O’zapft is!” is what the mayor of Munich shouts when he taps the first barrel of beer of the Oktoberfest, at noon on the first day of the event. This officially opens the festivities for everyone.
Literal: He has taken his hat.
Meaning: He has left the company. / He resigned from his position.
Literal: That fits like the ass on the bucket.
Meaning: That fits exactly. / That comes in handy for me. / That is convenient.
(submitted by schokolossal)
Literal: Where (there is) no suitor, there (is) no judge.
Meaning: As long as nobody complains / does something, nothing will happen / change.
Literal: Well he’s got one on the waffle.
Meaning: He does something crazy / irresponsible.
