Did you know that the word “bagel” is taken from Yiddish?
How about the origin of the word “glitch”?
Did you ever use the word “schlep”? Also from Yiddish!
Continue reading to learn about Common Yiddish Idioms in English: words that were originally Yiddish before they became part of the English language.
1. Kosher
The word “kosher” is an adjective. It is derived from the Yiddish word “casher” and refers to food that has conformed to the directives of the Talmud and has been deemed clear or pure, thus lawful.
In the English language, “kosher” means something that is correct and acceptable, something suitable.
For example: “It isn’t kosher to eat lunch while the professor is talking.”
Synonyms include authentic, permitted, allowed.
2. Schlep
The word “schlep” is a verb. It is derived from the Yiddish word “shlepn” which means to drag, to haul.
In the English language, the verb “schlep” means to carry, to lug, to drag.
For example: “It is so tiring to schlep all these heavy books around school.”
The word “schlepped” can also mean carrying out an unwanted task or doing something in a lazy way.
For example: “I schlepped down to the basement to bring up the laundry.” “I schlepped around the house and didn’t do a thing all day.”
Synonyms include tote, heave, lift, hoist, and shoulder.
The word “schlep” can also be a noun, referring to a difficult journey.
For example: “It was my second schlep to the coffee machine this afternoon.”
Synonyms include a trek, a hike, and a walk.
3. Chutzpah
The word “chutzpah” is a noun. It is derived from the Yiddish word “khutspe” which means incredible audacity.
In the English language, “chutzpah” means ultimate self-confidence, appalling nerve.
For example: “It took such chutzpah to demand a meeting with the accuser’s attorney.”
Synonyms include cheekiness, guts, and boldness.
4. Glitch
The word “glitch” is noun. Many dictionaries agree that it is derived from the Yiddish word “glitsh” which means a place that is slippery.
In the English language, the word “glitch” means a minor setback or malfunction.
For example: “The main computer was experiencing a small glitch and was temporarily shut down.”
Synonyms include a breakdown, a defect, and a failure.
5. Klutz
The word “klutz” is a noun. It is derived from the Yiddish word “klots” which means a beam made of wood.
In the English language, the word “klutz” was first used in the mid-1900s, and describes a person who is clumsy, who might easily trip or drop things.
For example: “The clown was a typical klutz who couldn’t walk across the stage without slipping on his own feet.”
Synonyms include an oaf, a blunderer, and a blockhead.
6. Bagel
The word “bagel” is a noun. It is derived from the Yiddish word “beygl” and refers to a roll that is shaped in a round, donut fashion.
In the English language, the word “bagel” refers to a type of roll that is round and is made by boiling and then by baking.
For example: “The bagel was delicious when served toasted with cream cheese and lox.”
There are no synonyms for the word “bagel.” There is only one such type of bread.
7. Nosh
The word “nosh” is both a verb and a noun. It is derived from the Yiddish word “nashn” which evolved from the Middle High German word “naschen,” which means both to nibble and to eat secretly or on the sly.
In the English language, the verb "nosh” means to have a quick snack.
For example: “I noshed on some leftover cheese before we went out to eat dinner.”
Synonyms include to eat lightly, to browse, or to graze.
As a noun, a “nosh” refers to a light meal.
For example: “Let’s have a nosh Friday night before the movie.”
Synonyms include a snack or a bite of food.
Final Thoughts
Every modern language is built from a veritable salad of cultures that have generously donated their words. In this article, I have defined 7 English words that were originally part of the Yiddish language and have, over time, joined everyday English usage.
Feel free to continue searching the Web and you will see that the actual list is much longer. You will be surprised by the words that have come to us from Yiddish.
Have a discussion about this article with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In