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List of English words of Yiddish origin

(Redirected fromSchnook)
"Plotz" redirects here. For the municipality, seePlötz.For the surname, seePloetz.
Not to be confused withYiddish words used in EnglishorYinglish.

This is a list of words that have entered the English language from theYiddishlanguage, many of them by way ofAmerican English.There are differing approaches to theromanizationofYiddish orthography(which uses theHebrew alphabet); thus, the spelling of some of the words in this list may be variable (for example,shlepis a variant ofschlep,andshnozz,schnoz).

Background

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Yiddish is aGermanic language,originally spoken byJewsinCentraland laterEastern Europe,written in the Hebrew alphabet, and containing a substantial substratum ofHebrewwords as well as numerous loans fromSlavic languages.[1]For that reason, some of the words listed originated in Hebrew or Slavic languages, but have entered English via Yiddish.

Yiddish is closely related to modern German, and many Yiddish words have Germancognates;in some cases it is difficult to tell whether a particular word was borrowed from Yiddish or from German. Yiddish is written in the Hebrew alphabet, and Yiddish words may betransliteratedintoLatinspelling in a variety of ways; the transliterated spelling of Yiddish words and the conventional spelling of German are usually different, but the pronunciations are frequently the same (e.g.,שוואַרץ,shvartsin Yiddish is pronounced the same way asschwarzin German).

Many of these words have slightly different meanings and usage in English from the Yiddish originals. For example,chutzpahusually has a negative connotation in Yiddish, meaning improper audacity, while in English it is more positive. In Yiddish,שלעפּ,shlepis usually atransitive verbfor carrying (or dragging) something else, while the English word,schlep,is also used as anintransitive verb,for dragging oneself, and as anounfor an insignificant person or hanger-on. In Yiddish,גליטש,glitshmeans 'slip', while in English,glitchmeans malfunction.

List of words

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These English words of Yiddish origin, except as noted, are in the online editions of theOxford English Dictionary(OED),The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language(AHD), or theMerriam-Websterdictionary (MW). The parentheses-enclosed information at the end of each word's entry starts with the original Yiddish term inHebrew script,theLatin scripttransliteration,and the literal English translation (if different from the English definition given earlier). This may be followed by additional relevant languages (mostly Hebrew and German). One or more dictionary references appear at the end.

Gelt
Knish,a baked snack, commonly filled with potato
Latkes,potato pancakes

A

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  • alter kackeroralte kacker(Yid. אַלטער קאַקער): literally "old crapper". Sometimes abbreviated as AK or A.K. ([1]); equivalent to English "old fart".[2]

B

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  • Bagel:A ring-shaped bread roll made by boiling or steaming, and then baking, the dough (fromYiddish:בײגל,romanized:beygl,from Old High Germanbougwith diminutive-elsuffix; OED,MW).
  • Balabusta,balabosta, balebosta (Yid. בעל־הביתטע): a Jewish mistress of the house; usually applied with positive connotationsMW).
  • Blintz:A sweet cheese-filled crepe (בלינצע,blintse,fromBelarusian:блінцы,romanized:blincy,lit. 'pancakes' (plural);AHD).
  • Bris:The circumcision of a male child. (ברית,bris,fromHebrew:ברית,romanized:brith,lit. 'covenant'; OED,MW)
  • broigus(Yid. ברוגזbroygez): (n) a bitter feud of anger; (adj.) angry, irritated; from Hebrew ברוגז (berogez,"angry" ) (OED)
  • Boychik:Boy, young man. (Englishboy+ Eastern Yiddish:טשיק,-chik,diminutive suffix (fromSlavic);AHD)
  • bubbeh, bubbe(Yid. באָבע): grandmother; elderly woman (OED)
  • bubbeleh(Yid. באָבעלע): a term of endearment; esp. for a young boy-child or elderly relative (OED)
  • Bupkis(alsoBupkes,Bupkus,Bubkis,Bubkes): Emphatically nothing, as in 'He isn't worth bupkis' (באָבקעס,bobkes;of uncertain origin (OED); perhaps originally meaning '[goat] droppings', from a word meaning 'beans', of Slavic origin)[3](MW,OED)

C

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  • cholent,cholnt, tcholent, etc. (Yid. טשאָלנטtsholnt): traditional slow-simmeringSabbath stewprepared overnight (OED,AHD,MW)
  • Chutzpah/ˈxʊtspə/:Nerve, gall, guts, balls, daring, self-confidence, audacity, effrontery (חצפּה,khutspe,from Hebrew;AHD)

D

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  • Daven:To recite Jewish liturgical prayers (דאַוונען,davnen;AHD)
  • Dreck, drek:Worthless, distasteful, or nonsensical material (דרעק,drek,from Middle HighGerman:drec,lit. 'rubbish'; cognate with German:Dreck,'dirt, filth';AHD,MW)
  • Dybbuk:Themalevolent spiritof a dead person that enters and controls a living body until exorcised (דבּוק,dibbuk,'a latching-onto';AHD)
  • Dreidel:Yiddish:דרײדל,romanized:dreydl,a four-sided spinning top (OED)

F

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  • Fleishig:Made with meat (פֿליישיק,fleyshik,'meaty', fromfleysh,'meat'; cf. German:fleischig,'meaty';MW)
  • frum(Yid. פֿרום): adjective; religious, observant of Judaism laws (cf. German "Fromm" = pious) (OED)

G

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  • GaneforGonif:A thief, scoundrel, rascal (גנבֿ,ganev/ganef,'thief', from Hebrew:גנב,gannav;AHD)
  • Gelt/ɡɛlt/:Money in general; also thechocolate coinsgiven to children onHanukkah(געלט,gelt,'money'; cognate with German:Geld,'money'; related to 'gold';AHD,MW)
  • Glitch:A minor malfunction (גליטש,glitsh,fromגליטשן,glitshn,'slide'; cf. German:glitschen,'slither';AHD)
  • Golem:A man-made humanoid; an android, Frankenstein monster (גלם,goylem,from Hebrew:גלם,gōlem;OED,MW)
  • Goy:Agentile,term for someone not of the Jewish faith or people (גוי;pluralגוייםorגוים,goyim;from Hebrew:גוייםorגוים,goyim,'nations', plural ofגוי,goy,'nation';AHD)

H

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  • Haimish(alsoHeimish)/ˈheɪmɪʃ/:Home-like, friendly, folksy (היימיש,heymish;cf. German:heimisch;AHD).

K

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  • Kasha:buckwheatporridge or grains (prefabricated for a porridge). Originally a Slavic term, it probably entered into English usage with Jewish emigrants, especially the formקאַשיkashi(Slavic plural for "kasha" ).[4]
  • Kibitz/ˈkɪbɪts/:To offer unwanted advice, e.g. to someone playing cards; to converse idly, hence akibitzer,gossip (קיבעצן,kibetsn;cf. German:kiebitzen,may be related to German:Kiebitz,'lapwing'; OED,MW)
  • Klezmer,instrumental musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe (OED)
  • Klutz:A clumsy person (קלאָץ,klots,'wooden beam'; cf. German:Klotz,'block';OED,MW,AHD)
  • Knish/kəˈnɪʃ/:A doughy snack stuffed with potato, meat, or cheese (קניש,fromPolish:knysz;MW,AHD)
  • Kosher:Correct according to Jewish law, normally used in reference to Jewish dietary laws; (slang) appropriate, legitimate (originally fromכּשר,kašer/kasher;AHD)
  • kishke(Yid. קישקע): A kind of sausage stuffed with finely chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, spices, etc., rather than meat; in the pluralkishkes,the abdomen (MWOED) (AHD)
  • kugel(Yid. קוגעל): a casserole or pudding, usually made from egg noodles or potatoes (AHD)
  • Kvell:To express great pleasure combined with pride (קװעלן,kveln,from an old Germanic word; cognate with German:quellen,'swell'; OED,MW)
  • Kvetch/kəˈvɛtʃ/:to complain habitually, gripe; as a noun, a person who always complains (קװעטשן,kvetshn,'press/squeeze'; cognate with German:quetschen,'squeeze'; OED,MW)[5]There is also a connection[vague]to the Hebrew and Aramaicradix"k.w.z",[clarification needed]meaning "squeeze".[6]

L

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M

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  • mama-loshen / mame-loshen(Yid. מאמאלושן): one's first or native language, from Yiddishmama(mother) plus Hebrew לשוןlashon,tongue or language; usually meaning "Yiddish" (https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=mama-loshenOED)
  • Mamzer:Bastard (from Yiddish/Hebrew:ממזר,mamzer;OED)
  • Maven:Expert, aficionado (מבֿין,meyvn,from Hebrew:מבין,mevin,'understands'; OED,MW,AHD)
  • Mazeltov,alsoMazal tov:Congratulations! (מזל־טובֿ,mazl-tov,from Hebrewמזל טוב,mazzāl ṭōv:מזל,mazzāl,'fortune' or 'luck' +טוב,ṭōv,'good'; OED)
  • Megillah:A tediously detailed discourse (מגלה,megile,'lengthy document, scroll [esp. theBook of Esther]', fromמגלה,məgillā,'scroll'; OED,MW). Usually used in American English as "the whole Megillah" meaning an overly extended explanation or story.[7]
  • Mensch:An upright person; a decent human being (מענטש,mentsh,'person'; cognate with German:Mensch,'human'; OED,MW)
  • Meshuga,alsoMeshugge,Meshugah,Meshuggah/məˈʃʊɡə/:Crazy (משגע,meshuge,from Hebrew:משוגע,m'shuga';OED,MW). Also used as the nounsmeshuggenerandmeshuggenehfor a crazy man and woman, respectively.
  • Meshugaas,alsoMishegaasorMishegoss/mɪʃəˈɡɑːs/:Crazy or senseless activity or behavior; craziness (משוגעת,meshugaas,from Hebrew:משוגעת,məšugga‘ath,a form of the above; OED,AHD)
  • Milchig:made with milk (מילכיק,milkhik,'milky', fromמילך,milkh,'milk'; cf. German:milchig;MW)
  • Minyan:The quorum of ten adult (i.e.,age 13 or older) Jews that is necessary for the holding of a public worship service; inOrthodox Judaismten adult males are required, while inConservativeandReform Judaismten adults of either sex are required. (מנין,minyen,from Hebrew:מנין,minyān;OED)
  • Mishpocha/mɪʃˈpɒxə/:relative or extended family member (משפּחה,mishpokhe,from Hebrew:משפּחה,mišpāḥā;OED)

N

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  • Naches/ˈnɑːxəs/:The feeling of pride and/or gratification in 1: the achievements of another; 2. one's own doing good by helping someone or some organization (נחת,nakhes,from Hebrew:נחת,naḥath,'contentment'; OED)
  • Narrischkeit/ˈnɑːrɪʃkaɪt/:Foolishness, nonsense (נאַרישקייט,narishkeyt,fromנאַריש,narish,'foolish' +־קייט,-keyt,'ness'; cf. German:närrisch,'foolish'; OED)
  • Nebbish,alsoNebbich:An insignificant, pitiful person; a nonentity (from interjectionנעבעך,nebekh,'poor thing!', perhaps from Czechnebohýor other Slavic source; OED,MW)
  • Noodge,alsoNudzh:To pester, nag, whine; as a noun, a pest, whiner, or anxious person (נודיען,nudyen,from Polishnudzić'to bore' or Russiannudit''to wear out'; OED)
  • Nosh:Snack (noun or verb) (נאַשן,nashn;cf. German:naschen;OED,MW)
  • Nu:A multipurpose interjection analogous to "well?", "so?", or "so what?" (נו,nu,perhaps akin to Russian:ну,nu;OED)
  • Nudnik:A pest, "pain in the neck"; a bore (נודניק,nudnik,from the aboveנודיען,nudyen;cf. Polish:nudny,'boring, annoying'; OED,MW)

O

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  • Oy,Oy vey:Interjections of grief, pain, or horror (אוי וויי,oy vey,'oh, pain!' or 'oh, woe!'; cf. German:oh weh,'oh, woe!';OED;AHD)

P

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  • Pareve/ˈpɑːrəv/:Containing neither meat nor dairy products (פּאַרעווע,pareve;OED,MW)
  • Pisher:a nobody, an inexperienced person (פּישער,pisher,fromפּישן,pishn,'piss'; cf. German:pissenor dialectal German:pischen;OED)
  • PotchalsoPetch:Spank, slap, smack (פּאַטשן,patshn;cf. German:patschen,'slap'; OED)
  • Plotz:To burst from strong emotion; often used humorously to express minor shock or disappointment (פּלאַצן,platsn,'crack'; cf. German:platzen;OED)
  • punim:the face (Yiddish פּניםponem,from Hebrew פָּנִיםpanim) (OEDAHD)
  • Putz:(vulgar) A penis, term used as an insult (פּאָץ,pots;AHD). Also an insignificant person, incompetent, or loser. As a verb, to idle, bodge, goof off.

S

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  • Schav:Sorrel soup.(שטשאַוו,shtshav,from Polish:szczaw;AHD)
  • Schlemiel/ʃləˈmiːl/:An inept clumsy person; a bungler; a dolt (שלעמיל,shlemilorשלימיל,shlimil,probably from the Hebrew nameShelumiel;OED) The word is widely recognized[citation needed]from its inclusion in theYiddish-Americanhopscotchchant "...schlemiel, schlimazel..." from the opening sequence of the American sitcomLaverne & Shirley.
  • Schlep:To drag or haul (an object); to walk, esp. to make a tedious journey (שלעפּן,shlepn;cf. German:schleppen;OED,MW). Also anoun,a lackey, hanger-on, or loser.
  • SchlimazelalsoSchlemazl:A chronically unlucky person (שלימזל,shlimazl,from [Middle Dutch:slimp,'crooked/bad' orMiddle High German:slimp,'awry' orschlimm,'poor/lacking'] + Hebrew:מזל,mazzāl,'luck'; cf. German:Schlamassel;OED). The difference between aschlemieland aschlimazelis described through theaphorism,"Theschlemielspills his soup on theschlimazel."
  • Schlock:something cheap, shoddy, or inferior (perhaps fromשלאַק,shlak,'a stroke'; cf. German:Schlag;OED,MW)
  • Schlong:(vulgar) Apenis(שלאַנג,shlang,'snake'; cf. German:Schlange;OED)
  • Schlub:A clumsy, stupid, or unattractive person (זשלאָב,zhlob,'hick', perhaps from Polish:żłób;OED,MW)
  • Schmaltz:Meltedchicken fat;metaphorically, excessive sentimentality (שמאַלץ,shmaltsor German:Schmalz;OED,MW,AHD); adjective: schmaltzy
  • Schmatte:A rag (שמאַטע,shmate,from Polish:szmata;OED)
  • Schmeeralsoschmear:from Polish 'smarowac' to smear, to spread, coll. to bribe; (noun or verb) Spread (e.g.,cream cheeseon a bagel); bribe (שמיר,shmir,'smear'; cf. German:schmieren;OED,MW)
  • Schmo:A stupid person (akin toschmuckaccording toAHD,but disputed by OED)
  • Schmooze:To converse informally, make small talk or chat (שמועסן,shmuesn,'converse', from Hebrew:שמועות,shəmūʿōth,'reports/gossip'; OED,MW). To persuade in insincere or oily fashion; to "lay it on thick". Noun: schmoozer, abbr. schmooze.
  • Schmuck:(vulgar) A contemptible or foolish person; a jerk; (שמאָק,shmok,'penis', probably fromOld Polishsmok,'grass snake, dragon';MW,EO)
  • Schmutter:Pieces of clothing; rubbish (שמאַטע,shmate,'rag'; cf.schmatte;OED)
  • Schmutz/ʃmʊts/:Dirt (שמוץ,shmutsor German:Schmutz;OED)
  • Schnook:An easily imposed-upon or easily cheated person, a pitifully meek person, a particularly gullible person, a cute or mischievous person or child (perhaps fromשנוק,shnuk,'snout'; cf. Northern German:Schnucke,'sheep'; OED)
  • Schnorrer:beggar, esp. "one who wheedles others into supplying his wants" (שנאָרער,shnorer;cf. German:Schnorrer;OED,MW)
  • SchnozorSchnozzalsoSchnozzle:A nose, especially a large nose (perhaps fromשנויץ,shnoyts,'snout'; cf. German:Schnauze;OED,MW)
  • Schvartze:(offensive) A Black person (fromשוואַרץ,shvarts,'black'; cf. German:schwarz;OED)
  • Shabbos,Shabbas,Shabbes:Shabbat(שבת,Shabes,from Hebrew:שבת,Shabat;AHD)
  • ShammesorShamash/ˈʃɑːməs/:The caretaker of a synagogue; also, the ninth candle of the Hanukkah menorah, used to light the others (שמשׂ,shames,from Hebrew:שמש,šammāš,'attendant'; OED,MW)
  • Shamus:a detective (possiblyשאַמעס,shammesor the Irish nameSeamus;OED, Macquarie)
  • Shegetz:(derogatory) a young non-Jewish man (שגץorשײגעץ,sheygets,from Hebrew:שקץ,shekets,'abomination';AHD)
  • Shemozzle:(slang) Quarrel, brawl (perhaps related toschlimazel,q.v.; OED). This word is commonly used in Ireland to describe confused situations during the Irish sport ofhurling,e.g. "There was a shemozzle near the goalmouth". In particular, it was acatchphraseof 1940s–1980s television commentatorMichael O'Hehir.[8]
  • Shikker,Shicker,Shickered:Drunk (adjective or noun) (שכּור,shiker,from Hebrew:שיכור,shikor;OED)
  • ShiksaorShikse/ˈʃɪksə/:(often derogatory) A young non-Jewish woman (שיקסע,shikse,a derivative ofsheygets,from Polish:siksa;AHD)
  • ShmendrikorShmendrick:A foolish or contemptible person (from a character in an operetta byAbraham Goldfaden;OED)
  • Shtetl:A small town with a large Jewish population in pre-HolocaustEastern Europe (שטעטל,shtetl,'town', diminutive ofשטאָט,shtot,'city'; cf. German:Städtl,South German / Austrian colloquial diminutive ofStadt,'city';AHD)
  • Shtibl:A small synagogue or place of prayer (שטיבל,shtibl,'little room'; cf. German:Stüberl;OED)
  • Shtick:Comic theme; a defining habit or distinguishing feature or business (שטיק,shtik,'piece'; cf. German:Stück,'piece';AHD)
  • Shtum:Quiet, silent (שטום,shtum,'mute'; cf. German:stumm); OED)
  • Shtup:(vulgar slang) To have sexual intercourse (שטופּ,shtoop,'push/poke/intercourse'; cf. German:stupsen,'poke'; OED)
  • Shul:a synagogue (שול,shul,'school', from Middle High German:schuol,'school'; cf. German:Schule,'school';MW)
  • Shvitz:to sweat (v.), a sauna or steam bath (n.) (שוויצן,shvitsn;cf. German:schwitzen;OED)
  • SpielorShpiel:A sales pitch or speech intended to persuade (שפּיל,shpil,'play' or German:Spiel,'play';AHD)

T

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  • Tchotchke:A knickknack, trinket, curio (צאַצקע,tsatske,טשאַטשקע,tshatshke,from Polish:cacko;OED,MW)
  • TreforTrayforTraif/ˈtreɪf/:Notkosher(טרייף,treyf,from Hebrew:טרפֿה,ṭərēfā,'carrion';AHD)
  • Tsuris/ˈtsʊrɪs/:Troubles, grief (צרות,tsores/tsoris,[9]from Hebrew:צרות,tsarot,'troubles'; OED,MW,AHD)
  • Tuchus[10](alsotuches,tuchis,[10]tukus,tuchas,ortukhus)/ˈtʊxəs/:The buttocks, bottom, rear end (תחת,tokhes,from Hebrew:תחת,taḥath,'underneath'; OED).
  • Tummler:An entertainer or master of ceremonies, especially one who encourages audience interaction (טומלער,tumler,fromטומלען,tumlen,'make a racket'; cf. German:(sich) tummeln,'go among people' or 'cavort'; OED,MW)
  • Tush(alsoTushy): The buttocks, bottom, rear end (תּחת,tokes;cf.tuchus;OED,MW)
  • Tzimmes:A sweet stew of vegetables and fruit; a fuss, a confused affair, a to-do (צימעס,tsimes;OED,MW)
Carrottzimmeswith honey

V

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  • Vigorish(also contractionVig): That portion of the gambling winnings held by the bookmaker as payment for services (וויגריש,vigrish,[citation needed]from Russian:выигрыш,vyigrysh,'winnings'; OED,AHD)
  • Verklempt:Choked with emotion (פֿאַרקלעמט,farklemt,'depressed/grieving', originally 'pressed, gripped'; cf. German:verklemmtmeaning 'uptight'MW)

Y

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Yarmulke
  • Yarmulke:A round cloth skullcap worn by observant Jewish men (יאַרמלקע,yarmlke,possibly from Polish:jarmułkaand Ukrainian:ярмулка,yarmulka,'skullcap', possibly fromTurkish:yağmurluk,lit. 'raincoat/oilskin'; seeyarmulke;OED,MW)
  • Yekke:(mildly derogatory) A German Jew; its most common usage derives from theBritish Mandateperiod to describeFifth AliyahGerman Jews, who were perceived to be more formal in dress and manners. (יעקע,yeke,'jacket'; cf. German:Jacke;OED)
  • Yenta(variants:yente,yentl): A talkative woman; a gossip; a scold (יענטע,yente,from a given name; OED,MW)
  • Yiddish:The Yiddish language (ייִדיש,Yidish,'Jewish'; cf. German:jüdisch;AHD)
  • YontefalsoYom Tov:AJewish holidayon which work is forbidden, e.g.Rosh Hashanah,Yom Kippur,Pesach(יום- טובֿ,yontef,'holiday', from Hebrew:יום טוב,yōm ṭōv,'good day';OED)
  • Yutz:A fool (יאָנץ,yonts,perhaps derived fromputz;NPD,AHD)

Z

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  • Zaftig,alsoZaftik/ˈzɑːftɪk/:Pleasingly plump, buxom, full-figured, as a woman (זאַפֿטיק,zaftik,'juicy'; cf. German:saftig,'juicy'; OED,MW)
  • Zayde(Yid. זײדעzeyde): grandfather, old man, often a term of respect or endearment (OED)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^"Bartleby.com: Great Books Online – Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more".bartleby.com.Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2007.
  2. ^Dictionary of Jewish Words: A JPS Guide,p. 5
  3. ^Horwitz, Bert (19 August 2005)."A Hill of Bupkis".The Jewish Daily Forward.New York.Retrieved28 November2010.
  4. ^Steinmetz, Sol.Dictionary of Jewish Usage: A Guide to the Use of Jewish Terms.p. 42.ISBN0-7425-4387-0.
  5. ^See also Wex, Michael.Born to Kvetch.St. Martin's Press, New York, 2005.
  6. ^Even-Shoshan, Avraham(1966).HaMilon HeHadash (The New Dictionary)(in Hebrew). Kiriat-sefer.ISBN978-9651701559.
  7. ^"World Wide Words: The whole megillah".World Wide Words.
  8. ^Doyle, Dr Siobhán (20 February 2020)."A short history of shemozzles in the GAA".RTÉ.ie.
  9. ^Carr, David,"Abramson’s Exit atThe TimesPuts Tensions on Display ",The New York Times,18 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
  10. ^abJeffrey Goldberg,"Words That The New York Times Will Not Print",The Atlantic,2010-06-09. "'Joe Lieberman is too polite to complain, but the Gore questions are getting to be a pain in the tuchis.'... Though Leibovich's copy editors allowedtuchusto be spelled incorrectly, theWashington Postis obviously more tolerant of Jewish flamboyance... "


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