|
A
A gezunt dir in pupik
(ah ge-ZOONT deer in POO-pik) Phr. “Good health to your belly button.” A prototypical Yiddish blessing. A sarcastic riff of this phrase is: A shaynem dank dir im pupik. "Many thanks to your belly button," i.e., Thanks for nothing. A shaynem dank means “thank you very much.”
A gezunt af dein kop!
(ah ge-ZUNT ahf dein kup) Phr. "Health on your head." Another typical Yiddish blessing.
Aguna
(ah-GOON-ah) n. "Chained one." A wife of a husband M.I.A.; woman whose husband refuses to grant a divorce. (He’ll make no ~ out of me!)
A broch!
(ah BROOKH) n. An expletive, a curse. A way to express misery, disgust, or disaster. When heard -- duck: this guy is utterly fed up!
A chazer bleibt a chazer
(ah KHA-zer blaybt ah-KHA-zer) phr. A pig remains a pig.
A choleryeh af dir!
(ah cho-LER-yah af dir) A plague on you! (Lit., wishing someone to get cholera). Also abbreviated simply as a kholeryeh.
Af tsores
(ahf SORE-ess) adv. Full of tzuris or troubles; in trouble; in hot water; in “doo-doo.” (Whoever did this is ~!)
Af tzu lochis
(ahf tsoo LOKH-ess) adv. Spitefully: Just to get (someone) angry. For spite; Also spelled as one word: aftselokhes. “It's bedtime, and the child ~ just started his homework.”
ai-ai-ai
(aye-aye-aye) Variegated meanings, depending on intonation, from happy to sad.
Alev ha-sholem
(a-lev ha-SHO-lem) “May he rest in peace” - said postpositively:
“As my uncle Henry, ~, used to say...”; for women: aleha ha sholem.
Alrightnik
(all-RIGHT-nik) n. Member of the status quo; one who has made it into bourgeois society. Also, nouveau riche; ongeshtopt mit gelt.
Alteh moid
(AL-teh moyd) n. Spinster, old maid.
Alter Kocker
(AL-ter KOCK-er) n. Crotchety, crabby, ill-manner old man; “old fart”; abbrev. A.K.
Altz iz gut
(ahlts-eez-goot) phr. “All is good.” All is well; b’seder.
Aroysgevorfen
(ah-ROYCE-ge-VOR-fen) adj. Wasted; thrown away (~ gelt).
A shaynem dank
(ah SHAY-num dahnk) phr. “thank you very much.”
A shreklekheh zakh
(ah shrek-LEKH-eh-zakh) A horrible thing! “Nu, what’s wrong?” “A ~,” he said. Note that the movie “Shrek” comes from this Yiddish word....
A shtuken nisht in hartz
(ah-SHTOO-ken NISHT in harts) “A stab in the heart.” A miserable memory.
Askan
(AH-skan) n. A Jewish social worker or community leader. Plural is askanim.
Averah
(a-VAY-ruh) n. transgression; sin; shandeh; pity (it’s an ~ to get rid of that dress!)
Azoy?
(ah-ZOY) Really? Mamash? Azoy gait es! phr. “That's how it goes!”
Azoy gich?
(ah-zoy GIKH) So soon?
<< Return
B
Baal Teshuvah
(bal te-SHOO-vah) n. A "master of return" or "born again Jew." A Jew who has returned to traditional observance (usually from a place of little or no Jewish observance at all). Baalei Teshuvah is the plural.
Baal Torah
(bal TOY-ruh) n. Learned man, scholar (he’s a real ~).
Badkhan
(BAHD-khan) n. Jester, merrymaker or master of ceremonies at a wedding or other simcha; at the end of the meal he announces the presents, lifting them up and praising the giver and the gift in a humorous manner.
Balebatim
(bal-e-BAT-im) n. pl. Persons of high standing; reputable people; community leaders (the board members of the synagogue). The adjective form is balebatish. Balebatisheh yiden (yeed-en) refers to respectable Jews, people of substance and good standing in the community.
Baleboosteh
(ba-leh-BOOST-eh) n. A top-notch homemaker; super-woman or super woman; eshet chayil par excellence. Also spelled balebusteh, balaboosteh, etc.
Balegula
(bal-a-GOO-lah) n. Truckdriver or sloppy person of low standing.
Balmalocha
(bal-ma-LOW-kha) n. An expert (sometimes used sarcastically); a maven.
Bashert
(ba-SHERT) n. One's beloved; fiance(e); (My ~ and I are soon to be married). This word means “fated” or “predestined.”
Behaimeh
(be-HAY-meh) n. Dumb animal; drudge; dolt; dull person; someone with the brains of a cow (don’t sit there like some ~!).
Benkshaft
(BENK-shaft) n. Homesickness, nostalgia.
Bentsch
(BENTSH) v. To bless; recite a blessing; adj is gebentscht (blessed). Bentsch licht means to light and bless the Shabbat candles
Beryeh
(BEAR-yah) n. Efficient, competent housewife.
Big Macher
(big MAH-kher) Big-shot; mogul; boss; one who is always wheeling and dealing.
Bisel
(BIS-el) A tiny bit (a ~ of salt). Bisseleh is the diminuative.
Bist meshugeh?
(BEEST me-SHOO-geh) “Are you crazy?” “Are you serious?” Are you kidding me?
Blechedich
(ble-KHE-dikh) adj. Wan; ashen; sickly; pallid; lifeless; sickly; sick to the stomach.
Bortchen
(BORE-chen) To grumble; growl; to kvetch; bellyache (What? are you burtchening again?)
Boych
(boych) n. Belly, esp. a protuberant one. Big belly (uncle Ernie really has a ~ on him!)
Boychick
(BOY-chik) n. Affectionate term for boy. Diminutive is boychickel.
Brech
(brekh) v. To gag; to vomit. "Go to your sister's house for dinner? Forget it! I don't know which makes me brech more… her food or her décor!"
Brechvard
(BREKH-vard) n. Food that sickens you or makes you gag.
Bren
(BREN) n. A person of great energy or charisma. A real firecracker or livewire. From brennen, to burn.
Bris
(bris) n. B’rit Milah, when an 8-day old boy sits on the knees of a sandek (godfather) and gets circumcised (don’t take a front row seat at a Bris -- this is in bad taste).
Broygus
(BROY-guss) n. A mixture of being sullen, morose, removed, unmotivated, distracted, unusually quiet, etc. Not on speaking terms; in a state of estrangement. (So he'll be ~ with us! - Who cares?) Synonym: bummed out. Also spelled broygis. Note that broygus can also refer to a falling out, a grudge -- What’s the ~ between them?
Brucha
(BROOKH-eh) n. Blessing (Nu, are you going to say the ~ already?) Also spelled broche.
Bubbe-Maiseh
(bub-eh-MY-seh) n. Old wive’s tale; tall tale; something patently untrue.
Bubeleh
(BUB-e-leh) “Little grandma”; term of endearment for children; general term of endearment (yes, ~, the check is in the mail).
Bubbee
(BUB-ee) n. Friendly term for anybody you like.
Bulbenik
(bul-BEN-ik) Someone who talks with a potato in his mouth. One who makes a lot of verbal gaffes.
Bupkis
(BUP-kiss) n. Nothing; nada; “beans”; an offensively small amount compared to the effort it took to acquire (disappointed I got ~ for my birthday). Also spelled bubkes.
<< Return
Ch
Chai
(khai) adj. Hebrew word for alive, comprised of the two Hebrew letters, Chet and Yod. The letter "Chet" has the numeric value of 8, and the letter "Yod", has the value of 10, for a total of 18. 18, then, is gematria for Chai and is considered a special number.
Chai kock
(khai kock) Human “doo-doo.” Something that is worthless, beneath consideration. "She's divorcing me and she thinks she's going to get the house and half my money!? She'll get ~ from me!
Chaleria
(khal-AIR-re-ah) n. A nasty, shrewish, somewhat psychotic woman, prone to wild outbursts of anger. Basically, a mean-spirited woman.
Chalish
(KHAL-ish) v. faint. Often used in reference to fainting from hunger ("If that waiter doesn't bring our dinner soon, I'm going to ~!").
Challah
(KHAL-lah) n. Braided loaf of white bread, glazed with egg white and served during Shabbos. Delicious.
Chalushes
(kha-LOOSH-ess) n. Nausea, faintness, unconsciousness. Also nauseating (her outfit was simply ~). Adj. form is chalushisdik.
Chalushisdik
(kha-LOOSH-iz-dik) adj. sickening; disgusting; revolting (a ~ rally for the Democrat).
Chamalyah
(cham-AL-yah) A real whack or hard punch. "If that guy upstairs doesn't stop playing his music so loud, I'm gonna go up there and give him such a ~!"
Chasseneh
(KHAS-se-neh) n. Wedding. The elements of a Jewish wedding normally include the following: one chosson (the groom), one kallah (the bride), and a ceremony sometimes referred to as kiddushin. Separate steps usually accompany a traditional wedding:
- Shidduch - it's a match!
- Vort - formal engagement
- Ketubah - marriage contract
- Bedekin - the visit from the chosson to the veiled bride (after a week of no contact after the engagement)
- Chuppah - the wedding canopy
- Kiddushin - The giving of the ring
- Sheva brachot - seven blessings recited over the couple
- Breaking of the glass - remembering the exile even in our joy
- Cheder yichud - "room of privacy" - the closed room where bride and groom are together for the first time. Normally they share a meal here, directly after the ceremony.
- The reception - dancing, music, etc.
Chasseneh machen
(KHAS-se-ne MAKH-en) v. To plan and execute a wedding.
Chasid
(KHA-sid) n. A pious person; follower of Chasidic philosophy.
Chazen
(KHAZ-en) n. Cantor, singer in shul.
Chazzerai
(KHA-ze-rye) n. Pig food. Junk food; trash; drek; a mess (put it with the other ~).
Cheder
(KHE-der) n. Room / school where Hebrew is taught.
Chelm
(khelm) n. Fool’s oaradise; the name of a legendary town inhabited by foolish, befuddled, but endearing people. The Chelmites are the subject of many Yiddish jokes.
Chazzer
(KHAZ-er) n. pig; glutton; adj. Chozzerish.
Chozek
(KHOH-zek) n. Encouragement; strength (give him some ~)
Chrain
(KHrain) n. Horseradish.
Chumra
(KHOOM-rah) n. "severity" or "restriction." A extra rule or practice one voluntarily takes on as a personal fence (gezeirah) around the Torah.
Chuppa
(KHOOP-ah) n. Wedding canopy; hence, a marriage.
Chutzpah
(KHOOTS-pah) n. Nerve; insolence; presumption and arrogance (that quality of a man who, having murdered his parents pleads with the court to show him mercy on account of being an orphan).
Chutzpenik
(khoots-PEN-ik) n. Impudent fellow; someone who has a lot of nerve.
Cockamamie
(KOCK-a-MAY-mee) adj. Not credible; foolsihly complicated; ridiculous; implausible; muddled; (a ~ story; of all the ~ excuses!)
<< Return
D
Daas Torah
(DA-ahs TO-rah) - Torah knowledge; the Torah world; Torah perspective.
Danken Got!
(DAHN-ken Got) - Thank God!
Daven
(DAH-ven) v. To pray; to use a rhythmic, rocking motion while praying (he’s up ~ing at 4:00 am).
Davka
(DAHV-ka) Davka means "only" -- and no other. For instance, a child who wants only a certain toy and will take no other is demanding davkah that toy. Or when the Torah tells us to make a Menorah out of beaten gold we may ask why dakvah beaten gold? And so on. Davka can also mean “particularly, despite expectations to the contrary.” E.g., “She was not the most educated person at the party, but ~ she impressed me the most.” Davka generally means “in defiance,” “despite.” Also spelled dafka.
Davkanist
(DAHV-ka-nist) n. Protestor, contradictor; a contentious person (what, you’re now a ~).
Der mensch trakht un Gott lahkht
(der mensh trakht un Got lahkt) - Man thinks (plans) and God laughs.
Donnershtick
(DON-er-shtik) n. Thursday; manana; “the next day” (I’ll get to on ~).
Doppess
(DOP-ess) n. A useless but commiserating bystander; an ineffectual observer who is of little help (the shlemiel drops the iron, the shlemazl gets hurt, and the ~ says ‘tsk, tsk’).
Dorfying
(DORF-yingk) n. Boor; country-bumpkin; rube.
Dos gefelt mir
(dos ge-FELT meer) phr. “This pleases me.”
Draykup
(DRAY-kup) n. a turned around head. Someone who's perpetually confused. "That ~ didn't just lose her keys this time. She lost the whole car!"
Dreidel
(DRAY-dl) n. A top used in playing a game of chance during the festival of Chanukah; in Hebrew a Sivivon. Hebrew letters on the sides form an acronym to the sentence: "Nes (Nun) Gadol (Gimmel) Hayah (Hey) Sham (Shim)" ("A Great Miracle Was There"). In Israel, the Shin is replaced with a Pey (for “po” - here).
Drek
(drek) n. Ka-ka; worthless junk; shoddy stuff.
Duchen
(DOO-khen) v. To recite the Aaronic blessing (birkhat kohanim) from the platform in front of the Holy Ark. In Hebrew, dukhan means “platform.”
Du zol nicht vissen frum tsores
(doo zohl nikht VIS-en froom TSORE-es) phr. “You should never know from tsores (misery, pain, agony, etc.).
Dybbuk
(DIB-bik) n. Evil spirit; demon; incubus.
<< Return
E
Ech
(ekh!) A groan or disparaging exclamation.
Eckveldt
(EK-veldt) n. “the end of the earth.” The last town, before you fall off the edge of the planet. Nowheresville. "I'm tell you, it's in ~!
Edel
(AY-del) Gentle; sensitive; refined; polite and modest; (he’s ~). A generous compliment. Edelkeit: n.
Edel Mensch
(AY-del mensh) n. A gentleman.
Eingeshparht
(AYN-geh-shpart) adj. stubborn. "She is so ~, like trying to get a donkey up a ladder!""
Einhoreh
(ine-HAW-reh) n. The evil eye.
Emess
(EM-es) n. truth (unvarnished). No one wants the ~ about the deal.
Engbrew
(eng-brew) n. English written using Hebrew letters. (Note that this is not a Yiddish word, but rather a portmanteau from English+Hebrew that is part of frumspeak). Synonym with Hebrish (Hebrew+English).
Epes
(EP-pes) pn. Something (I’ll have ~ to eat). “Ess a bisel eppis, darling." (Eat a little something, darling.) As an adverb epes means “somewhat” (he’s ~ a bore).
Epes a nudnik
(EP-pes ah NOOD-nik) phrase: “Something of a pest.” Like a nunik or nuisance.
Erlicher Yidden
(eyr-LIKR'r yeed'n) n pl. Upright Jews. Religious Jews.
Ess
(ess) v. Eat. Often used invitationally. "Ess! Ess! The food is getting cold."
Ess gezunterhait
(ess-ge-ZUN-ter-hate) phr. “Eat in good health!”
Ess vet zich oys-hailen far der chasseneh
(ess vet zikh oys-hale-en far der KHAS-se-neh) Phr. “It will heal in time for the wedding” (told even to a child when s/he gets hurt. The implication is that marriage is a cure-all). See Chasseneh for more.
<< Return
F
Farbissen
(far-BISS-en) adj. Bitter; sullen; crippled by bitterness. A farbissener (m) or farbissenah (f) is a grump or crabby person; a bitter person or curmudgeon.
Farbisseneh Punim
(far-BISS-en-eh POO-nim) n. Sour face; bitter-looking face; grouchy face.
Farblonjet
(far-BLON-jet) adj. lost; hopelessly off course; wandering about without any idea of where you are; dazed and confused (so ~ I wound up in New York!)
Farbrenger
(FAR-breng-er) n. Party (esp. a religious one)
Farbrenter
(far-BRENT-er) n. A fiery-eyed radical; fanatic; devotee.
Farfallen
(far-FALL-en) adj. doomed; lost; fallen to hell (he considers the prospect ~).
Farfoilt
(far-FOILED) adj. Spoilt, mildewed, rotten, decayed. "Time to get rid of that ~ shmata!"
Farfufket
(far-FUF-ket) adj. befuddled; stunned; taken aback (the sage looked a bit ~).
Farklempt
(far-KLEMPT) adj. Sad; Choked-up; too emotional to talk; overwhelmed; misty-eyed; distressed (I’m so ~!).
Farkocktah
(far-KOK-tah) adj. Worse than “crappy” (be careful with this word!) Utterly messed up and out of order; lousy (what is this ~ magazine?)
Farmakh dos moyl!
(far-MAKH das moil) Phr. “Shut your mouth!”
Farputst
(far-POOST) adj. dressed-to-kill; highly decorated or arrayed (you look so ~ I didn’t recognize you!).
Farshadet
(far-SHAH-det) adj. Pained; wounded; hurt. (He’s ~ because I ate his soup.)
Farshlepteh krenk
(far-SHLEP-tah krenk) n. “a chronic illness.” Used colloquially to mean something that just doesn't end. A long, drawn out issue, usually without resolve.
Farshlugginer
(far-SHLUG-en-er) adj. Mixed up; adulterated; debased; srewed up (the ~ Democrats and their whiny ways).
Farshtay?
(far-SHTAY) Understand? Comprehend? Do you get it? (Ich ~ Yiddish?) Also spelled farshtayst.
Farshtinkener
(far-SHTINK-en-er) n. Stinky person; smelly person; adj. selfish and insincere.
Fartoost
(far-TOOST) adj. bewildered; disoriented; discombobulated; seriously confused.
Far vus?
(far-voos) phr. Why? For what?
Feh!
Excl. How disgusting! Phooey! That stinks! An general expression of disgust or distaste. (A dog sleeps in my bed? ~!)
Feinshmeker
(FINE-shmek-er) adj./n. A person with fine taste; elite; highfalutin.
Ferdrimmeled
(fer-DRIM-eld) adj. Dreaming, daydreaming (~ in his books)
Ferklempt
(fer-KLEMPT) adj. Sad; Choked-up; too emotional to talk; overwhelmed; misty-eyed; distressed (I’m so ~!).
Fermisht
(fer-MISHT) adj. Mixed up in the head; turned around; confused; addled; scrambled; turned upside down and inside out. Topsy-turvy.
Ferpitzed
(fur-PITZT) adj. dressed up
Fershimmeled
(fer-SHIM-meld) adj. moldy; fusty.
Fershtickt
(fer-SHTICKT) adj. choking; gagging; utterly grossed-out and disgusted (I was ~!).
Fershtoonkeneh
(fer-SHTOONK-en-eh) adj. Stinking.
Ferkockteh
(fur-KOK-teh) adj. Worse than “crappy” - be careful with this word! Utterly messed up and out of order.
Fehgeleh
(FAY-ge-leh) n. “Little bird” - sweet young man or girl; fairy child (derogative: homosexual).
Finster un glitshik
(FIN-ster un GLIT-shik) adj. Miserable; “dark and slippery.”
Fizeynish
(fi-ZAY-nish) n. A monster; ugly individual; (for example, your daughter’s fiance whom you do not like).
Fleishig
(FLAY-shig) adj. "of meat". Consisting of, prepared with, or relating to meat or meat products. A kosher concept.
Fonfer
(fun-fer) n/v. Someone who talks through his nose; a double-talker; a cheat; swindler (he’s a fonfer - watch his addition!)
Frailech
(FRAY-likh) adj. Happy (~ shabbos); festive; gay. Also spelled freylech. Happy; cheery; optimistic; in a good mood. (She’s more ~ now that he left her.)
Fress
(fress) To eat a great deal; to eat quickly and voraciously. Fresser: n; fressing: adj; To nosh is to snack; to ess is to eat; but you fress when you’re acting like a chozzer.
Frosk
(frosk) n. A slap in the face (give him a good ~!).
Frum
(frum) adj. Pious; religious; observant, esp. shomer shabbat; (he’s frum); frummer (n)
Frum dein moil tsu Gott’s erin
(frum dine moyl tsoo Gots erin) phr. “From your mouth to God’s ears.” Halevai.
Fumfer
(FUM-fer) v. to mumble; to speak like you have potatos in your mouth.
<< Return
G
Gantzeh Megilleh
(GANT-seh me-GIL-eh) n. A big deal; also - a long boring story or speech, especially if it’s been repeated. Ganzteh (also spelled ganszeh) means “entire,” whole.”
Gantze mishpocha
(GANT-seh mish-PUK-ah.) n. the whole family; the whole clan; everybody!
Gartl
(GAR-tel) n. belt, sash
Gebentscht
(ge-BENSHT) adj. Blessed (she’s ~ with patience). “Gebentsht mit kinder” - Blessed with children.
Gedaingst
(guh-DAYGST) v. Remember. "I told you he was a no good! ~?"
Gefelt
(ge-FELT) adj. pleasing
Gehockteh leber
(ge-HOCK-teh LAY-ber) n. Chopped liver, both literally and in the sense of someone or something unworthy; beneath consideration. "She shook hands with everyone in the room except for me. What am I, ~?" "
Gelt
(gelt) n. Money. Kesef.
Genug
(ge-NUG) adv. Enough; also spelled genuk. Genuk is genuk. (~ with the tears already!)
Geshmak
(ge-SHMAK) adj. Tasty; extremely delicious; finger-lick’n good. (That matzoh ball soup is just ~!)
Geshrai
(ge-SHRYE) n. Cry; scream; wail (we heard this ~ and all came running!)
Geshtruft
(ge-SHROOFT) adj. Cursed; accursed;
Geshvollen
(gesh-VAL-len) adj. Swollen, puffed up; also applied to person with haughty pride.
Get
(get) n. Ritual divorce for Orthodox Jews.
Gezinta
(ge-ZIN-teh) adj. “healthy;” zaftig; a gezinta shiksa is a big sexy lady...
Gezunt
(ge-ZOONT) adj. healthy. a be gezunt: as long as you're healthy. “So you have diabetes, ~”
Gezunt vi a ferd
(ge zunt VEE a ferd) As strong as a horse; healthy and robust.
Gevaldikeh Zakh!
(ge-VALD-eh-keh Zakh) A terrible thing! (often used ironically).
Gevalt!
(ge-VALT!) excl. Heaven Forbid! O help!
Gey gezunterheyt
(gay ge-ZOON-te-hayt) phr. Literally, "Go in good health," but usually meant as "Yeah, go do whatever you like. Fine, don't listen to me. See if I care." (So, you want to join that rock band instead of attending Harvard? ~)
Gezunde tzores
(ge-ZUNE-deh TSOO-es) n. Healthy troubles. Troubles one should not take too seriously.
Gib a keek
(gib-a-keek) phr. Take a look!.
Glatt
(glaht) adj. - "smooth." Used to describe meat that does not have lung lesions (thus is smooth). Also used to describe anyone is extremely strict in their practice (sometimes pejoratively). He’s a real ~; don’t bother.
Glick
(glik) n. Luck; good fortune (umglick - unlucky).
Goen
(GOH-en) n. “Genius” (often used ironically); from gaon in Hebrew (what a ~!)
Golem
(GO-lem) also: Goylem. Zombie; graceless oaf; subnormal person. A "living" creature with no soul. This idea comes from the Talmud which says that Adam was a golem before receiving his soul. The golem became a favorite character in Eastern European literature and is usued as a synonym for "bogeyman."
Gonif
(GON-if) Thief; swindler; cheat; crook; clever cheat. America ~!
Gooteh Neshumeh
(GOOT-eh ne-SHOO-meh) n. a good soul; a person who cannot hate.
Gorgul
(GOR-gul) Throat; gullet; (shove it down his ~!)
Gornisht
(GOR-nisht): n. Bupkis; nada; nothing; zilicho (in a bad way). (And for all I do for him I get altogehter ~!)
Gornisht Helfen
(GOR-nisht HELF-en): adj. “nothing will help”; beyond help; ruined; helpless (the roast was ~ but we ate it anyway).
Got in himmel
(GUT-in-him-el) “God in heaven.” (Said in anguish, despair, fear or frustration.)
Gottenyu!
(GOT-en-yew). excl. “Dear God!” (anguished cry) (we were happy, ~!).
Gottseliger
(got-SEL-le-ger) n. A holy person; religious person.
Goy
(goy) n. A non-Jew; outsider. Goyeh is the feminine. Goyim is the plural.
Goyim Naches
(GOY-em NAH-kes) n. Dubious pleasures; i.e., pleasure (nachat) that non-Jews (goyim) experience (the hasid showed ~ at the demolition derby).
Goyisher Kop
(GOY-ish-er Kup) n. “Gentile ways,” gentile brains; often used derogatively to refer to someone stupid or dim-witted. Pejorative.
Grepps
(grepps) v. To burb loudly and with deep meaning.
Grober
(GRAW-ber) n. Crude, unmannered person; grabby bore. Grober Yung - crude youth.
Groyseh Macher
(GROY-seh MAKH-er) n. A derogatory term for "Big Shot". That is someone who is either important or more likely thinks they are important.
Gut Shabbes!
(goot SHAB-bes) phr. Good Sabbath!
Gut Yontif!
(goot YON-tif) phr. Good holiday!
<< Return
H
Halevai!
(hal-e-VAI) “If only!” “I hope so,” “I wish!,” “It should only happen,” amen. (Next year in Jerusalem, ~.) Also spelled alivai!
Halvah
(HAL-vah) n. Sesame-seed confection; sandy-candy.
Hamentaschen
(HA-men-tah-shen) n. A triangular pastry served on Purim, said to resemble Haman's hat.
Hamsa
(HAM-seh) n. Charm; amulet; a common Middle Eastern protective talisman, often displayed by both Jews and Muslim, representing an open hand, often with an eye drawn in the palm.
Hartsvaitik
(HARTS-vie-tik) n. Heartache. Cp. Kopvaitik.
Hashgacha
(HAHSH-gah-khah) n. "supervision." Ritual supervision, most often used in terms of kashrut/dietary laws. Rabbinic supervision of a food product or facility.
Havurah
(HAV-rah) n. Fellowship group. Also spelled chavurah.
Haymish
(HAY-mish) adj. Homey; plain and unaffected; also: homely. Haim = home. Sometimes spelled as haimish or heymish.
Haymisheh Mensch
(HAY-mish-eh mensh) n. someone you feel at home with.
Haymish Ponem
(HAY-mish PAWN-em) n. A friendly face.
Hechsher
(HEKH-sher) n. A “k” symbol on food packaging that means its contents are kosher and were prepared under rabbinical supervision. A symbol or other seal (originally a seal with the Mashgiach's name) placed on a preprepared product certifying its kashrut.
Hekdish
(HEG-dish) n. A mess; a slum (clean up this ~ and come to dinner!)
Hilf
(hilf) n. A godsend; help.
Hondler
(HOND-ler) n. Someone who hondles or negotiates for a deal. Bargainer. The verb is someimes spelled handl.
Hokk
(hock) v. To pitch; ask; urge (hokking me for donations....)
Hoo-Haw
(hoo haw) excl. Hoo boy! Exclamation of excitement (often ironic).
Hotzeplotz
(HOTZ-ze-plotz) n. The middle of nowhere. Kishnev.
<< Return
I
Ibbergerblibbernis
(Ib-ber-ger-BLIB-er-ness) n. leftovers. "~ -- it’s what’s for dinner!"
Ibbledick
(IB-bel-dik) adj. Sick; nauseated; blechedic.
Ich hob dir lieb
(ikh HOB dir leeb) phr. I love you!
In mitten drinen
(in MIT-en DRINE-en) adv. phr. suddenly; the midst of; along with everything else (then, ~, we see our car being driven away by a car thief!)
<< Return
J
<< Return
K
Kaddish
(KAHD-dish) n. A mourner's prayer.
Kalamutneh
(kal-ah-MUHT-neh) adj. Gloomy; morose; glum.
Kalleh moid
(KAL-leh moyd) n. A girl of marriageable age
Kapitelech
(ka-PIT-e-lech) "Chapters"; Used for Psalms and other Scriptures.
Kapporah
(kah-PORE-eh) - Atonement sacrifice; forgiveness; Scapegoat; also: a disaster; a castastrophe (how was dinner? it was a ~ was how dinner was....)
Karger
(KAR-ger) n. Cheapskate; miser; tightwad.
Kasheh
(KAH-sheh) n. a question (a ~ about keeping kosher).
Kasher
(KA-sher) v. "to make kosher." To make of meat or utensils to meet the requirements of being kosher (often by boiling or ritual immersion). Have you ~ed the goblets yet?
Kaynahorah
(kane-ah-HOW-rah) “No evil eye!” (from kein, no; ayin, eye; and ha-rah, evil). An incantation to ward off evil influences (my child? in perfect health, ~). (Some say this as "don't give me a canary.") Pronounced in order to ward off the evil eye, especially when speaking of one's good fortune. "Everyone is the family is happy and healthy, ~." "He'll be 86 in three weeks, ~." Another way to ward off the evil eye is to quickly spit three times (We're not talking hawking a big loogie. This is more like lightly spitting a hair off the tongue.)
Kemfer
(KEM-fer) n. fighter; activist
Kezatzkeh
(ke-ZAHTZ-keh) n. Russian dance involving kicks from a squatting position.
Khap
(khap) v. grab, snatch; understand; n. insight
Khazzer
(KHAZ-er) n. pig; glutton; adj. khozzerish.
Kibbitz
(KI-bitz) v. to chat; gab; mindlessly talk; to socialize in a chatty way. Also to comment upon during a show or game; to needlessly interfere. To butt in and offer to remedy other people’s business.
Kibosh
(KIE-bosh) n. 1) nonsense; bosh; 2) v. to put an end to something; veto; squelch.
Kiddish
(KID-dish) n. The blessing over wine on the eve of the Sabbath or Festivals.
Kinahora
(KINE-ah-HOAR-ah) excl. “No evil eye!” (from kein, no; ayin, eye; and ha-rah, evil). Superstitious “knock on wood!” phrase to avoid the “evil eye.” (Don’t go without your coat or you’ll die of a brain fever, ~). Same listing as Kaynahorah.
Kishkas
(KISH-kahs) literally, guts, intestines, literally and figuratively. "I was so upset, I was eating my ~ out!" "Also, a sort of thick "sausage" made with matzo meal and spices, which is sliced and fried.
Kish mir in tuchas
(kish meer en TUH-kiss) phr. “kiss me in the...” well, you know. kish mir means “kiss me.” Pejorative (or teasing, depending on context).
Kishnev
(KISH-nev) n. A remote city in Russia; hence any place so far away you don’t know how to get there (took some job in ~).
Kitsel
(kitz-el) tickle (also spelled kitzel).
Klippeh
(KLIP-eh) n. Female demon; shrew; vixen; relentless nag.
Klutz
(klutz) n. Clumsy person: The ~ spilled wine all over the tablecloth.
K’nadle
(k’nay-del) n. dumpling; matzo ball; term of affection for a child or sweet chubby woman.
K’nocker
(ke-nock-er) n. Big shot. Show-off.
Kockeputzi
(ka-ka-POOT-sie) n. A mishmash, a bunch of stuff thrown together. "For dinner, I just opened a bunch of cans and made a ~."
Kolboynik
(kol-BOY-nik) n. A know-it-all.
Kokh-lefel
(KOKH-lef-el). n. “Cooking ladle” - hence someone who stirs up trouble; gossip; yenta. Someone who "stirs the pot" with rumors or gossip.
Kolikeh (or Kalyekeh)
(KOL-e-keh) n. Cripple; sickly person; also: an inept performer; someone not so good at their craft.
Koonts
(koontz) n. An accomplishment (quite a ~!).
Kopf
(kop) n. Head, brain; pejorative adds sheish in front... Loch in kop is a “hole in the head.” Yiddishe kop is “Jewish brains” or “Jewish smarts”; smart; savvy; astute.
Kopvaitik
(kop-VYE-tik) n. headache; pain in the head.
Kosher Gelt
(koh-shure gelt) n. legally acquired money
Kosher Khozzer Fisl
(ko-sher kha-zer fiz’l) , “Kosher Pig’s Feet” -- used to describe someone who tries to be “holier than thou.”
Koved
(KO-ved) n. Honor; respect (show some ~ to the rabbi).
Krekhts
(krekhts) v. To croak; to caw; to grunt; to wheeze a monor pain or discomfort; to fuss or complain; to “oy.” n. krekhtzer.
Krenk
(krenk) n. Illness. General malaise. adj. sick.
Kup
(kup) n. head. Brains (use your ~) Also kop.
Kush mir in tuchas
(kush meer in TOO-khus) phr. “Kiss my tuchas” (see above for kish mir in tuchas).
Kvell
(kvell) v.To gush with pride; swell with naches. Gloat or brag.
Kvetch
(kvetch) to gripe; complain; to bemoan one’s fate.
Kvitch
(k’vitch) v. to squeal; to scream or yelp (as in surprise or delight). n. a squeal
(she let out a ~).
Kvitlekh
(KVIT-lekh) n. A kvitl (pl. kvitlekh) is a note with the name of the petitioner (using the person's Hebrew name (the son/daughter of one's mother's Hebrew name, such as Shimon ben Rivkah)) and a short request for which the rebbe is asked to pray. Hasidim believe that rebbes read supernaturally "between the lines" of a kvitl, seeing things that were not written in the kvitl. Often a "pidyon" (in this case, a tip or gratuity of cash) is handed to the rebbe under the kvitl.
<< Return
Kh
Khas vesholem!
(KHAS v’SHO-lem) excl. “God forbid!” (pity and peace). (Be careful or you’ll break your neck, ~). - Used as a sort of incantation to ward off evil.
Khaver
(KHA-ver) n. friend.
Kholileh!
(kho-LEE-leh) God forbid! It should never happen. Don’t even think about it! (I hope you don’t get sick, ~).
<< Return
L
Lamden
(LHAM-den) lit.=learned one: scholar
Lamed Vovnik
(lah-med VOHV-nik) n. One of the 36 hidden righteous persons who often labors in anonymity. According to Jewish tradition, the world continues to exist due to the merits of these hidden 36 individuals. (What? You think he’s ~?)
Lantzman
(LANTS-man) n. Fellow countryman; someone from your same neighborhood; fellow Jew.
Lebedickeh Mensch
(leb-e-DIK-e mensh) n. Lively, spirited person.
Leiben ahf dein kop
(LAY-ben ahf dayn kop) phr. "life on your head." "Good job! Nice work!" Yiddish kudos.
Lemishkeh
(LE-mish-keh) n. A drag; wishy-washy person; someone you invite to a party and then wonder why you did.
Likhticheh
(LIKH-tich-eh) adj. literally, "lit up." Happy, shining, radiant, beaming. A big smiling face is a "~ punim."
Loch in kop
(LUKH-in-kup) n. literally, "a hole in the head." (I need this like I need a ~!)
<< Return
M
Maidel
(MAY’dl) n. a young girl.
Macher
(MAKH-er) n. Big-shot; mogul; boss; one who is always wheeling and dealing.
Makhashaifeh
(makh-ah-SHAFE-eh) n. Witch; mean woman; spiteful woman. In jokes - a mother-in-law.
Makhatunim
(makh-ah-TOON-im) n. the in-laws.
Makhen a gevalt
(MA-khen a geh-valt) To make a scene; to scream or shout for help.
Malodyets
(mal-OH-dyets) n. Clever fellow; rascal.
Mama loshen
(ma-ma-LOW-shen) Literally: "mother tongue"; an affectionate term for Yiddish.
Mamash
(mam-mash) adv. definitive(ly); really! (exclamatory utterance)
Mamzer
(MAHM-zer) n. A bastard, used in the same literal and figurately senses as it is used in English. "My boss is such a ~!"
Mashgiah
(mash-GEE-ah) n. "overseer." The person who supervises the preparation and serving of Kosher food. Their responsibility is to prevent violations of Jewish dietary laws by inspection of slaughterhouses, meat markets, and restaurants where food claimed to be kosher is prepared for the public. (Who’s the ~?)
Maven
(MAY-ven) n. Expert; authority. Often used sarcastically.
Mazel tov!
(MAH-zel tawv) (interj.) Congratulations! Mazel tov on the new baby! (mazel = luck + tov = good). Mazel can be used as a general synonym for “luck.”
Mazik
(MAH-zik) n. Impish person, esp. a child; coquette
Mechitza
(me-KHEETZ-ah) n. partition between men and women in shul.
Mechuleh
(me-KHOO-leh) adj./n. Bankrupt; wasted; ruined; kaputz (Oy, is he now ~?)
Meeskeit
(MEES-kite) adj./n. so ugly it hurts the eyes.
Megillah
(ma-GIL-lah) literally, the story of Esther, told at Purim, which goes on and on and on. A long-winded story. "Just give me the facts. I don't need the whole ~." A long, tedious story, often filled with a thousand details.
Mekhaye
(me-KHY-ye) n. Joy; delight; particularly delicious; great enjoyment; real joy; (dinner was a great ~); rapture; also: a great feeling, a relief, like taking off your shoes after
an all-day hike.
Mensch
(mensh) n. One who does good deeds; a good guy; (he's a real ~, the kind of guy you can always count on). The plural is menschen.
Menschlach
(MENSH-lakh) adj. decent, morally upright, polite.
Meshuggeneh
(me-SHUG-en-eh) adj. crazy; insane. Bist meshugeh? = Are you crazy?
Meshuggener
(me-SHOO-ge-ner) n./adj. (A) crazy; crazy person.
Meshumad
(me-SHOO-med) n. Apostate; Infidel; a willing defector from Judasim (well, only if a Jew turns to Jesus for salvation -- a Jew can easily be a Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Wiccan, mystic, socialist, etc., and still be a Jew-- but if a Jew accepts Jesus as Adonai -- they are “meshumad” - and generally ostracized from the company of other Jews.
Metziah
met-SEE-ah) n. bargain; lucky find; a break (a ~ on shoes!); often used sarcastically
Midrash
(MID-rash) n. Commentary; interpretation; drash
Milchig
(MILL-khik) adj. "of milk." Made of milk or dairy products. Describing food that contain milk products, or the equipment that is used with milchig food.
Minyan
(MIN-yan) n. A group of at least l0 bar mitzvot gathered to pray.
Mishegoss
(MISH-e-goss) n. madness; craziness; insanity.
Mishmash
n. Hodgepodge; mixed-up mess.
Mishpokhe
(MISH-poh-kha) n. Family.
Mittendrinen
(mitten-DRIN-nin) adv. in the middle of everything. "We're having a serious conversation about our relationship, and, ~, he starts to talk about baseball!"
Mitzvah
(MITS-vah) n. Commandment; good deed.
Mizrach
(meez-rakh) n. east, dir. American Jews face when praying. Mizrachi are Zionists.
Mogen Dovid
(moh-gen DO-ved) n. Star of David.
Mommellah
(MOM-me-lah) literally, "little mother." An affectionate way of referring to a little girl. Term of endearment, esp. for children.
Moser
(MA-ser) n. "betrayer." An informer who denounces fellow Jews. One who exploited the hatred of the non-Jews in order to undermine other Jews. This is considered the lowest level of impurity that a Jew can sink. The plural of this is mosrim.
Moshe Kapoyer
(MOH-sheh ke-POY-er) n. One who does everything backward (from a fictional character)
Muktzah
(MOOK-tzah) adj. forbidden on Shabbat, said esp. of an object.
<< Return
N
Naches
(NAKH-es) n. proud pleasure; special joy - especially over the acheivements of a child; gratification (esp, from grandparents).
Narishkeit
(NAHR-ish-kite) n. foolishness (a nar is a fool) "Nu, a guitarist you want to be? Never mind this ~! Better you should go to college and get a real job!"
Nazir
(NAH-zer) n. Ascetic abstainer from wine, haircuts, and contact with death. Hence, holy roller; fanatic.
Nebech
(NE-bekh) Colorless person; a nobody; the sort of person who enters a room and creates the impression that someone just left.
Nebbish
(NEB-bish) n. Loser. Incompetent nerd. Pitiful person.
Nechtiker Tog
(NEKK-tik-er tog) n. "a night-like day"; Hence, yesterday's news, "Forget it! It's history." Fuggetaboutit.
Nes
(NACS) n. Miracle.
Nifter-schmifeter, a leben macht er
(NIF-ter SHMIF-ter ah LAY-ben MAKHT-er) Phr. “What difference does it make? - so long as he makes a living.” (Your son’s a criminal? ~!)
Niggun
(nee-GOON) n. Traditional musical theme for a given service or festival. Also, Bim-Bam improvisational singing (zemirot). A Chassidic melody, often repeated several times, which is intended to express and stir one’s soul.
Nisht duggehdakht
(nisht DOO-geh dakht) Phr. literally, "May in never happen here!" Said after speaking of the misfortune of others. "Did you hear? She got her car stolen! ~"
Nisht gefehrlach
(nisht ge-FAR-lakh) “Not so terrible.” “I’ve seen worse.” "Don't worry about it; it's nothing" (~, you should hear what a day I’ve had!) Also spelled nisht gerferlich.
Nisht gut
(nisht GUT) adj. “No good”; hence bad.
Nishtikeit
(NISHT-te-kite) n. A nobody; a piece of nothing.
Nit gedeiget
(neet ge-DAY-get) "not to worry"; hence, "No worries! Everything's great."
Noch
(NOKH) adv. Moreover, even (used ironically). So you asked her out on a date and she accepted your offer, noch?
Nochshlepper
(NOKH-shlep-er) n. A tag-along; a hanger-on; unwanted person. (Don’t be a ~).
No-goodnick
(no good-nik) n. (Yinglish) A good-for-nothing person.
Nosh
(nosh) n. snack; bite; (let’s sit and have a ~); v. to snack; noshen; nibble (noshing on a cookie). Khap a nosh!
Nosherai
(NOSH-e-rye) n. Snack foods; silly, time-wasting stuff.
Nu?
(noo) Huh? Well? So? So tell me already!! What’s New? Also - “Are you so surprised?”
Nudjedik
(NOOJ-eh-dik or noo-JEH-dik) adj. antsy; nervous; worried.
Nudnik
(NOOD-nik) n. pest; nudge; nag; someone who is annoying and persistent. Nishtgudnik. Nogoodnik. An unthinking, inconsiderate person.
<< Return
O
Ongehblozzen
(on-ge-BLOY-zen) adj. Conceited; puffed-up; full of pride.
Ongepatshket
(on-ge-PACH-ket) adj. Slapped-together; overdone; messed up; garish.
Ongeshtopt mit gelt
(ON-ge-SHTOP meet GELT) adj. Stuffed with money; filthy rich; wealthy (he and all his ~ buddies love to meet there).
Ootz
(oots) v. to needle; vex; torment; annoy; (stop ~ing me already!)
Oy!
(OIY) excl. Denotes disgust, pain, astonishment or rapture.
Oy Gevalt!
(OIY GE-VALT) phr. “Oh my G-d!” An exclamation of fear, panic, astonishment, etc. A cry for help; “May a great Power intervene!” (also as a noun: made an ~).
Oy Gotenyu!
(OIY GAWT-en-yoo) phr. “G-d help us!” An exclamation panic to G-d.
Oysgeshpilt
(OYS-geh-shpilt) adj. Exhausted; worn out; also out of date (~ fashion).
Oy Vay!
Phr. How terrible! That’s horrible! Also spelled Oy Vey!
Oysvorf
(OYS-vorf) n. An outcast; a pariah; a throwaway.
<< Return
P
Pager
(PAY-ger) v. to die a martyr’s death (the weather is so hot you could ~)
Pareve
(PAR-veh) adj. Yiddish - "neutral." Describing food that contains neither milk or meat, or equipment used with such food. Prepared without meat, milk, or their derivatives and therefore permissible to be eaten with both meat and dairy dishes according to kashrut laws.
Paskudnik
(pas-KOOD-nik) n. A nasty, deceiving low-life.
Payess
(PAY-ess) Long curling sidelocks worn by some Orthodox Jewish men; ear-ringlets; long sideburns. (plural: Payot).
Pintele
(PIN-te-leh) n. the point of a Jew. The "spark" of Jewishness within all Jews.
Pisha Paysha
(PISH-ah PAY-sha) n. A simple card game (are you playing bridge or ~?)
Pisk
(pisk) n. Mouth. Big mouth. Loudmouth.
Pitzl
(PITS-zel) n. A tiny bit; a little thing; also: small child.
Plotz
(plotz) v. To explode (as with joy or food). (laugh until you ~!; eat until you ~!)
Potch
(pawtch) n. a painless, light, cup-handed slap. "If you don't stop whining, I'm going to give you a ~ on your tuchis!"
Potchki
(PAWTCH-key) v. experiment, dabble, mess around, play around with. "I don't really paint. I just ~."
Potchkied
(PAWTCH-key'd) adj. overdone, overwrought (It’s a bit ~, don’t you think?)
Pritzeh
(PREET-zeh) n. A princess.
Prost
(prost) adj. Plain; simple; boorish; unrefined; also proster (as in a ~ Jew).
Punim
(POO-num) n. face (what’s with the long ~?)
Pupik
(POO-pik) n. Navel; belly b |
