G
In a message dated 12/13/99 11:54:07 AM Eastern Standard Time, rst@ai.mit.edu
writes:
<< Rohit Khare writes:
> http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Yiddish/English/comwor.html
>
>
> Yiddish Words
> Found in English
There's no standard for anglicization, but the anglicizations here are
unusual --- particularly since the ones in the definition don't always
agree with the sample use. A few standouts:
> Definition Sample Use
> bob(kes) beans, nothing He gave me babkes.
More often "bupkes".
> khutspe unmitigated gall Oy, you have got a lot of khutspe!
More often "chutzpah", as in the example repeated the second time this
word shows up in the list.
> farkatk(e) lousy, ridiculous That's a facacta idea.
The one on the right is missing the "r"
> goyish(e) mind of a goyim He's got a real goyishke kup.
That's "goyishe kopf" --- for head. (Yiddish is actually an old
German dialect with a smattering of Hebrew mixed in; this "kopf" is
the same word you can find in occasional English imports from modern
German like "dummkopf").
> mazl-tov congratulations Mazel tov on the new baby.
Actually Hebrew, literally "good stars". The ancient Hebrews
believed in heavenly portents as much as anyone.
> mitsve a good deed That was a real mitzvah you did.
Again, Hebrew.
> kibitz to meddle She likes to kibbutz with everyone at the office
Just as often "gossip".
> meyvin connoisseur She's quite the mavin when it comes to wine.
More often "maven".
rst
>>