Actually, there are a lot more nowadays, I just noticed
Interesting links:
Yiddish Typewriter
Yiddish transscritor
Jewish Language Research Site
jespah wrote:I also recall the set of Yahrtzeit glasses that were used for tea. And for teeth, too. Fortunately, not at the same time.
ROFLMTO (changed from ROFLMAO; changed a = ass to t = tuchus)
Thanks for the info, Walter. I'm glad to know that all will not be lost. I have a feeling that there are probably small pockets in big cities where Yiddish is still alive. I could be wrong.
Danke, Walter. I'm glad to see this.
Very interesting links, Walter. Viel Danke.
Love this thread. Just caught up after being away from my computer for most of the last two weeks.
georgeob's stories of Detroit reminded me of my teenage years at school in London - I was good friends of two boys who were going through barmitzvah and therefore talking with each other a lot about their community, etc.
There I learned some words which I put to use many years later in Delhi, walking through the airport with a meydele from London and, because of the heat and annoyance of the whole thing said:
"This is a real schlepp!"
to which she replied, laughing:
"How dare you use my language"
quick as a flash, before you could say "oy vey", I replied:
"It just takes a little chutzpah"...at which she really laughed out loud.
(Hope I haven't told that one here before...
)
kitchenpete, Good to see you back. Think this story is a new one. But if it isn't, it wouldn't be the only repeat. We're supposed to remember everything we said from the year one?
TALK YIDDISH TO ME
A few years ago I came across an article about the countless Yiddishisms that are among the most vivid words now considered part of the English language. I perused the list and tried to use some of them in a silly short story. The list of words follows my story. How many can you use in a piece of your own. Have fun!
TALK YIDDISH TO ME
By BumbleBeeBoogie
The Kvetch held her audience of Yentas spellbound as she related her tale of the antics of Murray, the Nebbish Shnorer, at the bakery Maven's Mazal Tov Bagel and Knish shop.
"That Murray," she said, "where he gets all his Chutzpah considering he's such a Gonif, I don't know, already."
"What did he do? What did he do?" anguished the Yentas.
"That no-good Shmeggegi Murray, he tried to sneak Bagels from the rack, but such a Klutz, he was, the Shlemiel knocked the glass of hot tea right out of the Mensch Ruben's hands and it spilled all over the poor Shelmazal's trousers."
"Aach!" the Yenta continued, "Murray though he could Shmooze his way out of that fine mess. He smiled his Schmaltzy smirk at Ruben and wiggled his Tushie just like the Shmendrick he is and said Oy Vey! No problem, Nu, weren't you going to take your suit to the cleaners this week, already?
LIST OF YIDDISH WORDS:
Bagel and knish are among Yiddish-termed foods that have become popular American favorites.
Chutzpah is amazing nerve or guts, sometimes bordering on arrogance. The "ch" is correctly pronounced by making a sound similar to clearing one's throat.
Gonif, literally a thief, describes anyone engaging in dishonest practices.
Klutz is a clumsy person.
Kvetch is a perpetual complainer; also used as a verb, as in "Stop your kvetching."
Maven is a specialist or expert.
Mazal tov, which literally means good luck, is the traditional Jewish way to say "Congratulations."
Mensch, Yiddish for man, is used to describe a person exhibiting high moral values, consideration for others and kindness. It's the ultimate compliment for a son-in-law, as in "He's a real mensch."
Oy vey literally means "Oh woe." It's the all-purpose Yiddish lament.
Nebbish or nebbich is a pathetic person, loser or nerd.
Nu is used similarly to well or so in English. It is the Yiddish way to nudge---or offer pushy encouragement---to another person. For example, "Nu, when are you gtting married, already?"
Shmeggegi means a person who can't do anything right.
Shlemiel is an unlucky, bungling person who, for example, spills his soup. A shlemazal is the person on whom the soup lands.
Shmaltz, literally fat, is used to describe something overly sentimental. For example, "Aach! That movie is so schmaltzy."
Shmendrick means an insignificant person. It often is used to describe a child as a rascal or "little devil." For example, "My grandson, the shmendrick, has me wrapped around his little finger."
Shmooze is another way to say chat or mingle.
Shnorer, or freeloader, is the person who always stops by during dinner and brings an appetite.
Tuchas, tush or tushie comes from the Yiddish for derriere.
Yenta is used to describe a gossip.
Bubbeles, Come in, setzichavec. Relax. take a load off. The chicken soup is simmering. The liver is chopped--I'll add the schmaltz later. I'm making a nice flanken with horse radish sauce. I got two bobkas for dessert--one with cinnamon, one with chocolate. There's plenty of seltzer--for slurping and grepsing.
I tell ya, between the meshuginas and the mumzas lately, I'm fuhchadit and fuhblungit. Such mishigas.
Some come, have a gless of tea. We'll schmooze.
I'd even throw in a tsimis if I knew how to make one.
What do I look like here? Julia Child?
I'll find out how to make a tsimmes. You start schlepping. I'll start cooking.
Oy, that's worse. You think I'm an experimental animal, like a rat? You think I should have to go to the doctor? Maybe you should eat it first.
A poisoner she thinks I am. I make a nice spread. I offer to try the tsimmes. This is the thanks I get. Make your own tsimmes and bring it along. Heating up I can do without killing anybody.
A broch! First she invites me, and then she expects me to bring my own food. You want me to clean your house too?
You bet your sweet ass I do. Don't worry. I'll provide the cleaning supplies.
You two done kvetching yet?
You got some lox, 'Boita? I could use a bagel mit right about now. It's time for Sunday brunch.
Andele, Speaking for myself I gotta say that I'll be done kvetching when I'm done breathing.
I offer a four-course meal. Not good enough. You gotta have lox. The sacrifices I make. Of course you can have lox. I'll go get some. It's cold and with my knee. But I'll go. Not kvetching.
