TEN TIPS THURSDAY
If you live in New York City, these word are already in your vocabulary! However, sometimes even I forget there’s a world out there that doesn’t just toss out Yiddish words in their everyday conversations – BUT everyone can…it’s not like dropping French phrases which might make you seem pretentious – you know like with sangfroid!
With a little practice, these words will be rolling off your tongue in no time.
- Oy Vey – Is an expression expressing exasperation, dismay or grief.
- Kvetsh – Most often used in English to mean complain, but in Yiddish it literally means to squeeze or press like if your shoes were too tight.
- Maven – An expert, often used sarcastically.
- Chutzpah – In Yiddish this denotes arrogance and nervy presumption and is NOT a compliment. In English, it is used to convey courage and confidence.
- Klutz – Literally means block of wood so it is used when to describe a dense or clumsy person.
- Bubbe – We all have one – a Grandmother.
- Schlep – To drag something around, most likely something you don’t need or are doing unwillingly.
- Nosh – To nibble a light snack – like what we eat when we play Mah Jongg.
- Kibbitz – This doesn’t translate easily; the word is similar to Kibbutz, a collective community or it can refer to verbal joking. The English innovation is giving unwanted advice about someone else’s game.
- Mazel-Tov – Literally good luck and used to convey good wishes for what just happened, not a hopeful wish for some future event.
Shmendrick
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
Pbenjay's Blog 
May I add?
Schlemiel – dolt who is a habitual bungler
schlimazel – An extremely unlucky or inept person; a habitual failure.
Yenta – a woman who talks too much; a gossip unable to keep a secret; a woman who spreads rumors and scandal
(However, this term is sexist…there are PLENTY of men who are yentas!)
Of course you can! There were so many to pick from I tried to pick really common ones. Next time, mmmmmm
Umm… I love “yiddish”.. born and raised in JERZEEE .. and being part of the Ca-Jew sect in Fort Lee for some time, I have been considered …. well some one with a great deal of “Chutzpah”. I really never consider that was arrogant .. but .. being from JERZEEE.. one may consider me a tad “aggressive” 🙂
Now from the time I can remember the endearing Italian aunties expressing their love for you by referring to you as their little “Bubeleh” – I was under the impression that this was an Italian word just how “meshuggeneh” is that????
thank you Lori.. Yiddish brings a smile to my face and a song to my heart….
And thank you for being a dear “cuz” !!! You remember Bubelah and I remember Aunt Susie pinching our cheeks and saying what sounded like “cheeka bella codda” which really was ” guancia bella cara”
And,,,hey…on those hot days…what about “shvitzing” Spelling???? means to perspire a “vee” bit…no? Oy vay! Vat a hot day it vas!
I think you have it right-shvitzing would be a great word to have included especially this summer. Actually tried to pick the most commonly used and plan on doing another blog for us more advanced Goyim. lol
And kvell!…To beam with pride and pleasure, Jewish parents are prone to kvell over their children’s achievements. Lori, check this out!
http://www.sbjf.org/sbjco/schmaltz/yiddish_phrases.htm
And this from my best contributor! I have to “save” some for the next blog!!!
…”advanced goyim”….too funny!
For those who want to go for more Yiddish, you can go for online lessons (http://eYiddish.org) or join the eYiddish virtual community at http://eYiddish.org/community