The New Yiddish Dictionary

by Marnie Winston-Macauley

I’ve heard some people say that mama-loshen, or Yiddish is making a small but mighty comeback. Halevai! Is there a language that’s more expressive, passionate, hilarious, and bawdy, with words that are so spot-on, you “feel” both the sting and the love?

I challenge you – find one English substitute for “Chutzpah!”

A test: Find one English substitute for “Chutzpah!” Ok, true, there’s “gall,” “nerve,” “courage,” but none deliver the same punch as our “chutzpah.”...

Our language is so rich, many words have become part of our Yinglish lexicon thanks in part to media. Even in Monkey Run, Missouri, a fair number will know “meshugge” means you’re one letter short of an M&M....

Fortunately, some secular schools are giving courses in Yiddish now, and there is a burst of new Yiddish theatre offerings, all of which does my soul good.

NEW YIDDISH WORDS FOR JYAS

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Text: “BShrt.” Usage: “Sorry Ruchel, I can’t go to the movies because I have to share with my blogshert that Kraft polly-o string cheese is now Kosher … and maybe we should finally meet for pizza!

“Challahveid”: You overdid last Shabbos on the so-good challah, then the challah French toast the next morning and the challah bread pudding mit the raisins. Oy the agony, oh, the ecstasy!

Text: “CVed.” Usage: “Darling, I’m so challahveid, I’ll text you … Thursday, before Shabbos. By then the swelling should go down.”

“Chaloshinations”: A combo of the Yiddish “chaloshes” (“disgusting”) and “hallucinations.” Describes people who think their underwear is out to get them.

Text: “Loshing.” Usage: “Marvin, stop with the loshing already. In the monsoon, trust me. No one noticed that zit.”

“Chutzpahooding”: The ability to “hide” chutzpah by saying it comes from love. This is a major league art and should not be practiced by amateurs.