10 Bavarian expressions for Oktoberfest

When the mayor of Munich opens Oktoberfest at the stroke of noon on the first day, he taps the ceremonial keg and exclaims, "O'zapft is!" The expression is Bavarian for "Es ist angezapft!" or "It's tapped!" Oktoberfest doesn't start in October as the name implies, but on the Saturday after September 15. This year, the world's biggest beer party runs from September 16 to October 3.

Munich, the home of Oktoberfest, is called "München" in German, but the Umlaut combined with "nch" can be quite a tongue-twister for English speakers. Bavarian dialect simplifies the state capital even further: Minga. As southern German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung put it, the local dialect tends to be lazy. After a few big beers our tongue muscles tend to relax, so the easier the better.

"Griasgood" is a Bavarian adaptation of the common southern German and Austrian greeting "Grüss Gott." The northern German might say "Guten Tag," but greeting locals with that hello will definitely out you as a Wiesn newcomer. By the way, "Griasgood" is generally used for greeting more than one person. "Griaseichgood" would be the plural to use with a group.

You'll find that many Bavarian words end in N - like "Wiesn," or "Wiese" in standard German. That literally means "meadow" or "lawn," but actually refers to the fairgrounds where the beer tents, food stands and rides are set up each year. If you hear "Wiesn" in Munich, consider it a synonym for Oktoberfest.

The right outfit is essential when attending Oktoberfest. The typical women's dress, with a mid-length skirt and drawstring bodice, is known as a "Dirndl" throughout Germany. However, men's short leather pants, the "Lederhose," gets a special term in Bavaria: "Krachlederne." They're usually worn with a checkered shirt, suspenders and knee socks.

Another Bavarian term that ends in N is "Brezn," or "Brezel" in standard German. The soft pretzels are common to the region - and can be found everywhere at the Wiesn. The high-carb snacks are often enjoyed with "Obazda" - a delicious spread made of Camembert cheese, cream cheese, butter, paprika, onions and chives. That's bound to make you thirsty for your next beer.

Still hungry after that Brezn? Since the more you drink, the hungrier you get, you might also start craving another Oktoberfest specialty: "Brathendl." Also known as "Grillhänchen" in other parts of Germany, these grilled chickens are a fatty antidote to an alcohol overdose. Sometimes called "Wiesnhendl" as well, over 360,000 were sold last year.

No, this is not a reference to the Catalan architect. Bavarians refer to anything that is fun or enjoyable as "Gaudi" - and you'll find a lot of that at Oktoberfest, whether amusement park rides or beer chugging is your thing. The term can be augmented by adding the prefix "Mord" (murder), resulting in "Mordsgaudi" (murderous fun).

All that beer will eventually lead to nature's call. The act of relieving yourself is referred to as "bieseln" in and around the grounds of the Oktoberfest. But be careful: You should only "bieseln" at dedicated porta potties. Authorities pay close attention to public urination during the festival.

At some point, it's time to swap the Dirndl for jeans and go home to nurse your inevitable hangover. This year's Oktoberfest wraps up on October 3. That's when you can say "Pfiat Eich!" - Bavarian for "Auf Wiedersehen" or "good-bye."