“Carnival Pack 1″ is a collection of 4 transcripts, each in their own PDF file.  The pack is a ZIP file containing the 4 PDFs and is available from the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

The transcripts in this pack are:

• Rosenmontag
• Karneval, Fasching, Fastnacht
• Berliner
• Die Narren

To find out more, visit the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

“Transport Pack 1: Cars” is a collection of 5 transcripts, each in their own PDF file.  The pack is a ZIP file containing the 5 PDFs and is available from the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

The transcripts in this pack are:

• Die Zulassungsstelle
• Die Parkscheibe
• Die Hauptuntersuchung
• Der ADAC
• Die Mitfahrzentrale

To find out more, visit the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

Dear listeners,

it is now almost three years since we started the German Words Explained podcasts, and there are now 160 episodes! If you’ve heard the episode from New Year’s Eve, then you will know that this is going to be our last one – for the moment, at least.

As we announced some weeks ago, we are going to producing transcripts of the podcasts, which we will be releasing over the coming months. If you signed up for the mailing list, then you should have already received the sample transcript of the “Käseigel”, and to open our store we have gone back to the very first episode: Das Einwohnermeldeamt.

We intend to sell the transcripts in small groups, sorted by subject. But the first one is an exception and is available as a separate item.

To buy the transcript, visit the new AllThingsGerman Store. You can pay for the transcript using PayPal, and will then receive an e-mail with the download link in it. If you think that we should offer other methods of paying, then please let us know.

Please help us to make this new store a success.  If you’d like us to let you know by e-mail when new transcripts become available, then please enter your e-mail in the box below:

Today is the last episode of our German Words Explained podcast, which has now been going for 160 episodes.

We talk about the topics that we covered, and in particular about the Käseigel.  Back in June 2007 Maria promised to make one and 158 episodes later here it is:

Ein Käseigel

To finish off the series, we explain the word Wunderkerzen.

If you’ve enjoyed the series, please sign up to our mailing list to find out more about the transcripts of the podcasts.

Enter your e-mail address here:

So now, for the last time, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Download the MP3 file | Comment in the forum

Subscribe to the podcast | Listen by telephone

Lametta is a Christmas decoration found in German homes and in particular on Christmas trees.  Similar to tinsel, it is hung over the branches to simulate icicles.

Originally it was made from a substance called “Stanniol”, which is Tin (Sn) flattened to make it into a foil.

To add weight to the Lametta, lead or even silver were added.  Often this meant that it was used on New Year’s Eve for Bleigießen.  However, modern Lametta is often made of plastic.

To hear a simple explanation and to find out what the number 90/10 has to do with Lametta, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Download the MP3 file | Comment in the forum

Subscribe to the podcast | Listen by telephone