These words might sound funny – especially for the British side – but in Franconia (in the southern part of Germany) these words are quite common.
In Germany we have the 11th November as an important date – this is the commemoration day of Martin of Tours, a soldier, who had almost nothing but decided to share the little he had with a pauper.
It is on 11th because this is the day Martin was interred. His corpse was sent to Tours by boat, accompanied by a light cortege. That is also the reason why, nowadays, children (especially of kindergarten age) create their own hand lanterns and take part in a lantern procession.
In each part of Germany you can find different customs and names! In Franconia it can be called “Pelzmärtel”, “Beutzenmärtl” or – my favourite – “Martinipöpl”!
This pic is from bistummainz.de!
Still and Sprudel 