Yiddish

[RonBee]

Here is a link to a Yiddish glossary. It is just a sample of words used in Yiddish. Some of the words on the list (and some Yiddish words not on the list) have become part of the English language. Do you recognize any of the words?

• Yiddish Glossary
  http://www.infoplease.com/spot/yiddish1.html

 

[Tdol]

I recognise quite a few- we use many in British English. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

Certainly, klutz, chutzpah and kibitz have become part of the English language. I have also heard the expression, "That's a cockamamie idea."

• Yiddish Borrowings
  
  bubkes -- lit. beans; nothing
  chutzpah -- gall, nerve, or brashness
  drek -- shit, literally or figuratively
  kibitz -- meddle; offer gratuitious advice
  kluz -- dullard; clumsy person
  kosher -- fit to eat under Jewish dietary laws; proper, legitimate
  maven -- expert, connoisseur
  mensch -- admirable human being; person of dignity and integrity
  nosh -- snack, nibble, or eat a bit
  putz -- lit. penis; jerk
  schmooze -- have a heart-to-heart talk; chitchat or gab with one's associates
  shlep -- drag, haul around; trudge
  shlock -- shoddy, poorly-crafted items
  shmaltz -- lit. rendered chicken fat; mawkish over-sentimentality
  shmuck -- lit. penis; bad person, idiot, fool, or bastard
  shnook -- pathetic but lovable fool, easy mark, or sucker
  shnoz -- nose, especially a large one
  tush -- buttocks
  
  (From the Word Menu.)

• Yiddish Glossary
  http://www.factmonster.com/spot/yiddish1.html

 

[Tdol]

There are others where the origin is less well known, like'slapper' which comes from 'schlep', meaning journey, and is used to describe someone (usually a woman) who has 'been around' in her time.;-)

 

[RonBee]

That's a good one.

:wink:

 

[Tdol]

I liked it- I'd never have suspected its origins. ;-)