Last night I read (yet again), one of my all-time favorite books- Born to Kvetch by Michael Wex. If you haven't read it, you should.
Take my word on it.
So, because of that book. Or, because it's Monday. Or, because I like to educate, I decided to list a few (18 to be specific) Yiddish words for one and all to learn.
Let's begin:
1.BUPKES
Not a word for polite company. Bubkes or bobkes may be related to the Polish word for “beans”, but it really means “goat droppings” or “horse droppings.” It’s often used by American Jews for trivial, worthless, or a ridiculously small amount. After all the work I did, I got bupkes!
2.CHUTZPAH
Nerve, extreme arrogance, brazen presumption. In English, chutzpah often implies courage or confidence, but among Yiddish speakers, it is not a compliment.
3.FEY!
An expression of disgust or disapproval, representative of the sound of spitting.
4.GOY
A non-Jew--a.k.a. A Gentile. In Hebrew one Gentile is a goy, many Gentiles are goyim, the non-Jewish world in general is the goyim. Goyish is the adjective form. Putting mayonnaise on a pastrami sandwich is goyish.
5.KVETCH a.k.a. Jules' Favorite Yiddish Word
In popular English, kvetch means: to complain, whine or fret. In Yiddish, however, kvetch literally means to press or squeeze, like a wrong-sized shoe.
6.MAVEN
Pronounced meyven. A maven usually refers to an expert,(often used sarcastically).
7.MAZAL TOV
A saying of a joyous occasion. i.e.: birthdays, bar or bat mitzvah, weddings, etc..
Actually, mazal in Biblical and Talmudic times meant a planet or constellation of the zodiac. The term "mazal" acquired the connotation of fate or fortune. Mazal tov thus literally meant, "may you stand under a good constellation."
See? You learn something new everyday on this blog. Don't tell me you knew Mazal Tov referred to planets.
8.MENTSH
An honorable, decent, authentic person. A man, woman or child who gives help when help is needed.
9.MISHEGAS
Insanity or craziness. A meshugener is a crazy man.
10.MISHPOCHEH
It means family, as in Relax, you’re mishpocheh.
11.NOSH
To nibble- a light snack. But, you won’t be light if you don’t stop noshing.
12.OY YEY/ OY GEVALT
An exclamation of dismay, grief, or exasperation. The phrase oy vey iz mir translates to Oh, woe is me. Oy gevalt is similar to oy vey, but expresses fear, shock or amazement. If you think you might get hit by a car, this expression would be appropriate.
13.PLOTZ
Literally means to explode(from) aggravation. Example: Well, don’t plotz! Similar to Don’t have a cow! Also could be used as, Oy, am I tired, I just ran the four-minute mile. I could just plotz. That is, to collapse.
14.SHLEMIEL
This could be a clumsy or inept person. Similar to a klutz (also a Yiddish word).
15.SCHMUCK
Often used as an insulting word. Example: What a schmuck! Don't say this in front of your grandmother... it literally refers to a part of the male anatomy.
16.SPIEL
A long, involved sales pitch, as in, I had to listen to his whole spiel before I found out what he really wanted.From the German word for play.
17.SHTIK
Something you’re known for doing. Like, an entertainer’s routine, an actor’s bit, stage business; a gimmick often done to draw attention to yourself.
18.TUCHES
Refers to one's rear end, bottom, backside, or buttocks. In proper Yiddish, it’s spelled tuchis or tuches or tokhis, and was the origin of the American slang word, tush.
Now, get out there and use some Yiddish! Oh, and don't forget to pick up this :
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