Heute war ein wichtiger Tag für die Computerbranche – und dabei ist er fast unbemerkt vorbei gegangen. Ich rede von dem Ende vom so-genannten “Jahr 2000? Problem.
Schalttag – Schaltjahr – Schaltsekunde?
February 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The 29th of Februar is a Leap Day or Schalttag – a day is which added to the calendar every four years to make up for the difference between the length of a normal year and the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Thus the year 2008 is a Leap Year or Schaltjahr.
There are also Leap Seconds – Schaltsekunden – which compensate for the small difference that only modern atomic clocks can detect.
But did you know, that in some countries there used to be a 30th of February?
To find out where and to hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Die Narren
February 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Die Narren sind los! Die Narren is a name given to someone who entertains other people, much like a jester.
There are several versions as to where the word comes from. Some believe that it comes from the Latin word nario for turning one’s nose up at something, others claim it comes from narrare – to narrate or tell a story.
At carnival time the Narren refers to the people who dress up for processions and Sitzungen, and is also used as an adjective: närrisch.
There is also a saying in German “macht mich nicht närrisch” – don’t drive me mad!
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
