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Pastimes : SI Grammar and Spelling Lab

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To: Wizzer who wrote (1208)	4/19/1998 5:16:00 PM
From: Jack Clarke	Read Replies (2) of 4710

Wissam, what words are "borrowed" from Yiddish also. I can't think of any right now, What Yiddish words you hear depends on where you are. I worked with a number of Jewish surgeons and physicians, most of them from New York, while I was in the military. They used a lot more Yiddish expressions in their everyday speech that the Jewish kids I grew up with in Virginia. Yiddish is derived from German (80% of the words are recognizable to a German speaker). I had studied German and found it fascinating that I could understand many of the Yiddish expressions my friends used. Here are some I remember, to add to Chuzzlewit's list: Schmuck: In German, a jewel, but in Yiddish the foreskin. Used in a derogatory manner. "Don't be a shmuck". Schlep: Literally "drag", but used for an arduous task or trip. "I'm not gonna schlep all the way over there." Also a schlepper is another derogatory term for one who is poorly dressed or does menial tasks. Schmutz: Dirt or dust. Zaftig: Juicy. Used especially in regard to a female with a good figure. (German Apfelsaft= applejuice) Mensch: Lit. "a man" but carries broader connotation. "You have to be a Mensch and do what is required of you." Or a term of praise. "He was a mensch." Fressen: To eat a lot (as opposed to essen) As I recall, German uses essen for people and fressen for animals. These are just a few that jump to mind. Unfortunately, Yiddish seems to be a dying language, although there is a department of Yiddish at Yale and in some New York schools as well. The last full length film in Yiddish was in the 60's as I recall. I know where to rent it and have been meaning to (Home Box Office). I don't guarantee any of the above. Remember, this is coming from a "goy" (gentile).<G> Jack

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