I saw a fascinating TV programme, fascinating, which traced the history of the American musical (theatre and film) directly from Yiddish theatre in Manhattan Lower East Side.
Most interestingly, the "Immigration Restriction Act" of 1924 was designed to halt the immigration of supposedly "dysgenic" [Italians and] Eastern European Jews - those, who predominatingly spoke Yiddish as first language.
Eugenics Archive
Maybe it's because you and I are of an age, Phoenix, but my understanding of the etymology of 'shmuck' is exactly the same as yours. It's a nasty word, not to be bandied about lightly. I think the reason that it seems to have gone into mainstream American English with very little of the original pejorative meaning clinging to it is because so many goyim started to use it, unaware of its ultimate derivation, which is penis. If you wouldn't call someone a prick in English, don't call him a shmuck in Yiddish.
Just wondering: what is exactly the use of poll, paleobarbie?
Prick is not all that horrible an insult either... I don't know, maybe it's just me.
Rick d'Israeli wrote:Just wondering: what is exactly the use of poll, paleobarbie?
my friends and I were curious. It was a huge discussion in my office.
sorry that I did not respond sooner. I have been very busy.
I am enjoying the conversations my posting has elicited though.
: )
