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17 Yiddish Words That Should Be In Your Vocabulary

Oy vey!

Hannah Plantowsky

Feb 01, 2016

University of Texas

32710

17 Yiddish Words That Should Be In Your Vocabulary

Attention to all my JAP's and NJB's: If Yiddish words are not yet used in your everyday life, you're doing it wrong. Whether you've heard these words from your Bubbee, your Safta, your Zaydeh... I know you know them. You know you know them. So why not use 'em? Here are the top 17 words you know Granny will kvell over.

1. “Oy”

Pronunciation: \oi\

Definition: Pretty much the Yiddish equivalent for "ugh," "oh no," and/or "oh my"

Oy, how did I eat that entire bin of Mandel Bread already?

2. “Shvitz”

Pronunciation: \sh-vits\

Definition: To sweat

What's this winter? I wanted to wear my new Hanukkah sweater! I'm shvitzing!

3. “Bupkes”

Pronunciation: \bub-kiss\

Definition: Nothing, but with a little oomph.

I invited her to my Bat Mitzvah, and what did I get? Bupkes!

4. “Chazerei”

Pronunciation: \khaz-eh-rayh\

Definition: Junk, worthless, something terrible. Primarily food.

These store bought latkes are chazerei.

5. “Chutzpah”

Pronunciation: \khutz-puh\

Definition: Nerve.

I can't believe she told me I'm a JAP! I mean, I am, but she sure has some chutzpah.

6. “Fercockt”

Pronunciation: \fuh-cok-ta\

Definition: To be all screwed up.

She doesn't like kugel... that's just fercockt.

7. “Fermisht”

Pronunciation: \fe-mish-ed\

Definition: Frazzled, overwhelmed.

Do I go to Hillel or Chabad for Shabbat? I am so fermisht!

8. “Klutz”

Pronunciation: \klu-ts\

Definition: An awkward, uncoordinated person.

She tripped while walking up to the bimah. What a klutz.

9. “Mensch”

Pronunciation: \men-sh\

Definition: Someone of good character; does a lot of mitzvot.

My boyfriend is such a mensch; he always brings me Matzoh ball soup when I'm sick.

10. “Meshuginna”

Pronunciation: \mesh-oog-en-uh\

Definition: Crazy.

He doesn't like challah french toast. That is just meshuginna.

11. “Nosh”

Pronunciation: \nah-sh\

Definition: To snack; or a snack.

I'm just going to nosh on some leftover brisket.

12. “Plotz”

Pronunciation: \pl-ah-ts\

Definition: To be aggravated; to (emotionally) burst.

I am just plotzing over the fact my roommate ate my Matzah toffee.

13. "Shayna Punim"

Pronunciation: \shay-nuh poon-em\

Definition: A pretty face; a cutie patootie.

*Every Granny ever* Just look at that shayna punim!

14. “Shlep”

Pronunciation: \sh-lep\

Definition: To carry; to exert effort moving something(s).

Will you help me shlep these bags upstairs? Just some light shopping.

15. “Shmooz”

Pronunciation: \sh-moo-z\

Definition: To gossip; small talk.

Dad, can you stop shmoozing with Rabbi? I'm going to miss "Grey's Anatomy."

16. "Shmuck"

Pronunciation: \sh-muh-k\

Definition: A foolish person.

He dumped you?! What a shmuck.

17. “Tuches”

Pronunciation: \tuh-kh-iss\

Definition: A better term for butt.

Cyc was rough today. Really killed my tuches.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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17 Yiddish Words That Should Be In Your Vocabulary

Oy vey!

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

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11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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