For some people, like myself, Yiddish is a normal part of their daily conversation. We often forget that a lot of people have either never heard any Yiddish in their life, or just don't understand what some of the basic terms mean. So here, for your enjoyment, are 20 Yiddish terms deemed important enough for you to know.
1. Bupkes: nothing of value. AKA you got nuthin'.
2. Chutzpah: daring, bravery, nerve. AKA you on the weekend at the bars.
3. Fercockt: screwed up, messed up, confused. AKA you at the bars witnessing those girls fighting over that random guy on the dance floor.
4. Goy: a non-Jew. AKA not a member of the clan.
5. Klutz: clumsy. AKA you walking home from the bars.
6. Kvetch: whining. AKA that friend you have that won't stop complaining about their ex.
7. Mazel Tov: congratulations. AKA the universal phrase for anything fantastic that occurs in life.
8. Mensch: an upstanding, honorable person. AKA your mother when she cooks your favorite meal the first night home for break.
9. Nosh: snacking. AKA the perfect little finger foods at parties.
10. Oy vey: a phrase of exasperation. AKA what you repeat when you realize it's only Monday and the weekend is four days away.
11. Plotz: extreme excitement or surprise, not always in a good way. AKA when you find your friends at the bar after being separated.
12. Shlep: to carry or drag something heavy. AKA carrying all of your notebooks to the dumpster when your semester is OVER.
13. Schmooze: sucking up, interesting small talk. AKA what you do to your professor when you're trying to get them to bump your grade up a letter grade.
14. Shpiel: a long story or excuse. AKA your mom reading you the riot act in high school when you missed curfew.
15. Shikse: a non-Jewish woman who chases after Jewish men. AKA a Jewish mother's worst nightmare.
16. Shmutz: dirt or trash. AKA when you eat chocolate ice cream and the leftovers get stuck on your face.
17. Shtick: a routine. AKA your plans with your friends every weekend without change.
18. Tchotchke: a trinket. AKA all the useless things you absolutely must have from Disney, Six Flags, etc.
19. Tuches: a butt. AKA that thing that soccer and baseball players are known for.
20. Shvitz: sweating, panicking. AKA what happens when you step in the gym.
Well, there you have it, folks. Please feel free to incorporate all of these words into your everyday conversations. Mazel Tov on the new knowledge!
