Views from National Christmas Center, Christmas Museum and Family Attraction

Views from National Christmas Center, Christmas Museum and Family Attraction
Christmas Museum in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

How many different ways can you spell "Belschnickle"?

Belschnickle is the PA German version of Santa Claus. Through the years, as people have handed down stories of this gift giver - who has sweets and nuts for good children and a switch on the bottom for the naughty children - the name and spelling has changed to reflect local dialect and pronunciation. The following is a partial list of spellings we've seen.

How do YOU spell Belschnickle?

Belsnickle
Bellschniggle (Philadelphia Gazette, 1827)
Belsh Nickel (Annals of Philadelphia, 1830)
Belschnikkle (1839, Columbia, PA /1840, York, PA)
Peltznikle
Belsnickling
Bell Sneekling (1853, Harrisburg, PA)
Belschnicol
Peltz Nickle (1861, York, PA)
Bell Schnickel
Pelze Nicol
Pelznickle
Peltznickle
Pelz-Nickel
Belznickel
Bells-Nickle
Bell-Snickle
Beltzsnickle
Belsnickler/Pelsnickler (Shenandoah Valley, VA)
Pelse
Belsnicklin
Pelsing
Bells-Snickle
Pelze Nicol (“fur-clad Nicholas”)

National Christmas Center's version:

Belschnickle at National Christmas Center
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Walk from "Nazareth" to "Bethlehem" in The First Christmas

Walk from "Nazareth" to "Bethlehem" in The First Christmas
Life-sized figures and realistic scenery transport you back in time over 2000 years. Journey with Mary and Joseph. See a typical home of the time and a humble carpenter's shop. Navigate through a caravansary - an oasis marketplace, a rest stop for weary travelers. Experience the dangers of the journey, and be awed by the appearance of a glowing angel. Hear Latin and Aramaic being spoken, and listen to the music of the time. Join the shepherds' trek and at the end of the journey, in a humble grotto, behold the birth of Christ.