This keg and mascot of the local football team were presented to the new Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki, who grew up in Cologne and is well acquainted with the traditions, during his inauguration ceremony in 2014
Fastelovend and Fasteleer – essentially, carnival in the Cologne style. The carnival season (Session) begins on November 11, and the street carnival starts on one of the Thursdays in February or March – 'Women's Carnival Thursday' (Weiberfastnacht) and ends on 'Ash Wednesday' (Aschermittwoch) the following week. Street carnival is also called the 'fifth season' (fünfte Jahreszeit) or 'crazy days' (Tollen Tage).
Jecken – costumed revelers and all other people who celebrate carnival wildly and actively. The word 'jeck' in the local Cologne dialect means 'crazy', and the question 'Bist du eijentlich jeck?' in colloquial German would be: 'Spinnst du?' ('Are you crazy?').
Kölle Alaaf! – the main carnival greeting in Cologne. The word 'Alaaf' entered the local dialect no later than the mid-16th century. Originally used as a toast, meaning a call and readiness to drop everything for the raised glass. Later, another meaning was added – glorifying Cologne as the best city in the world.
Kölsch – the name of the dialect and Cologne beer. Observations show that after a fair amount of it, even visitors who do not speak any German start speaking the local language.
D'r Zoch kütt! – this cry signals the approach of one of the festive processions. They take place in different districts and suburbs of Cologne during the days of street carnival. The main parade is Rosenmontagszug (Rose Monday procession). It is held on so-called 'Pink' or 'Mad Monday'. On carnival Sunday, a parade of schools and district fool societies – Schull- un Veedelszöch – goes along the route of the main procession.
Kamelle! – with this call, the carnival crowd, especially children, demands that participants in the processions generously throw 'throwing material' (Wurfmaterial) – caramels and other sweets. Special caution should be exercised when catching boxes of chocolates and large chocolate bars. They fly at such speed that under unfortunate circumstances they can somewhat spoil the celebration.
Strüssjer! – this call is shouted in one breath with the previous one: 'Kamelle! Strüssjer!'. With it, spectators demand that tulips, carnations, mimosas, and other flowers be thrown into the crowd. The dialect word comes from standard German 'Sträußchen', meaning a small bouquet.
Bützcher means 'little kiss'. During carnival, one can and should kiss. This symbolic ritual is performed not only with acquaintances but also with complete strangers. True, a kiss – on one or both cheeks – is not yet, as they say, a reason for acquaintance. During processions, many kisses also go to the police officers keeping order.
Schunkele un danze – carnival participants are always on the move, if only to avoid freezing in the usually cool weather. If they stand still in some pub, they still dance to traditional hits and sway, holding hands. The expression 'Schunkele un danze' exactly describes this musical and progressive process.
Jet ze müffele – 'Something to nibble?'. Beer consumption stimulates appetite, especially outdoors. Among the most popular Cologne dishes and snacks are blood sausage (Flönz), rye buns with cheese (Halver Hahn), boiled pork knuckles (Hämcher), potato pancakes (Rievkooche), as well as meatballs (Frikadellen).
Weetschaff comes from the standard word 'Wirtschaft', which denotes not only the economy and national economy but also pubs, restaurants, and other similar establishments. During the street carnival, all furniture is brought out of them so that people have space to have fun with songs and beer. Long queues form outside most such establishments, but even on the street during these days and nights, no one is bored.
Kölle Alaaf!