A
A bisel
A little
A biseleh
A very little
A breyre hob ich?
I have no alternative
A breyte deye hob’n
To do all the talking *(To have the greatest say or authority)*
A broch!
Oh hell! Damn it!! A curse!!!
A broch tzu dir!
A curse on you!
A broch tzu Columbus
A curse on Columbus
A brocheh
A blessing
A chazer bleibt a chazer
A pig remains a pig
A chorbn
Oh, what a disaster *(Oh S**T! an expletive)*
A choleryeh ahf dir!
A plague on you! *(Lit., wishing someone to get Cholera.)*
A deigeh hob ich
I don’t care. I should worry.
A farshlepteh krenk
A chronic ailment
A feier zol im trefen
He should burn up! *(Lit., A fire should meet him.)*
A finstere cholem auf dein kopf und auf dein hent und fiss
*(A horrible wish on someone)* A dark dream (nightmare) on your head, hands and feet!
A foiler tut in tsveyen
A lazy person has to do a task twice
A gesheft hob nicht
I don’t care
A gezunt ahf dein kop!
Good health to you *(lit., Good health on your head)*
A glick ahf dir!
Good luck to you *(Sometimes used sarcastically about minor good fortunes)* Big thing!
A glick hot dich getrofen!
Big deal! Sarcastic; *lit., A piece of luck happened to you.*
A groyser tzuleyger
A big shot *(sarcastically.)*
A grubber yung
A coarse young man
A kappore
A catastrophe.
A khasuren die kalleh is tsu shayn
A fault that the bride is too beautiful
A klog iz mir!
Woe is me!
A klog tzu meineh sonim!
A curse on my enemies!
A langer lucksh
A tall person *(a long noodle)*
A leben ahf dein kepele
A life on your head *(A grandparent might say to a grandchild meaning “you are SO smart!”)*
A leben ahf dir!
You should live! And be well!
A lung un leber oyf der noz
Stop talking yourself into illness! *(Lit., Don’t imagine a lung and a liver upon the nose)*
A maidel mit a vayndel
A pony-tailed nymphet.
A maidel mit a klaidel
A cutie-pie showing off her (new) dress.
A mentsh on glik is a toyter mensh
An unlucky person is a dead person.
A mentsh tracht und Gott lacht
A person plans and God laughs.
A metsieh far a ganef
It’s a steal *(Lit., A bargain for a thief.)*
A nahr bleibt a nahr
A fool remains a fool
A nechtiker tog!
Forget it! *(Lit., “A day that’s a night.”)*
A nishtikeit!
A nobody!
A pish un a fortz iz vi a khasene un a klezmer!
A pee without a fart, is like a wedding without a band!
A piste kayleh
An shallow person *(an empty barrel)*
A ritch in kop
Crazy *(in the head.)*
A schwartz yor
Bad luck. *(LIT., A black year)*
A schwartzen sof
A bad end.
A shandeh un a charpeh
A shame and a disgrace
A shittern mogn
Loose bowel movement
A shtik fleish mit tzvei eigen
A piece of meat with two eyes *(insult)*
A shtik naches
A great joy
A shtyfer mogn
Constipated
A sof! A sof!
Let’s end it ! End it!
A tuches un a halb
A person with a very large backside. *(Lit., A backside and a half.)*
A volf farlirt zayne hor, ober nit zayne natur
A wolf loses his hair but not his nature. “A leopard cannot change his spots.”
Abi gezunt!
As long as you’re healthy!
Achrahyes
Responsibility
Afn gonif brennt das hittel
“He thinks everyone knows he committed a crime.” *(a thief’s hat burns)*
Ahf mir gezogt!
I wish it could be said about me!
Ahf tsores
In trouble
Afh yenems tukhes is gut sepatchen
Someone else’s ass is easy to smack.
Ahf zu lochis
Spitefully *(Lit: Just to get (someone) angry.)*
Ahntoisht
Disappointed
Ahzes ponim
Impudent fellow
Aidel
Cultured or finicky
Aidel gepotchket
Delicately brought up
Aidim / Aydem
Son-in-law
Ainikle
Grandchild
Aitzeh
Advice
Aiver butelt
Absent minded; mixed up
Alaichem sholom
To you be peace. Used in response to the greeting Shalom aleichem.
Alef-bais
Alphabet; the first two letters of the Jewish alphabet
Alevei!
It should happen to me (to you)!
Alle ziben glicken
Not what it’s cracked up to be *(all 7 lucky things)*
Alles in einem is nisht do bei keine
All in one (person) is to be found in no one.
Alrightnik / Alrightnikeh
One who has succeeded *(Alrightnikeh is the feminine form)*
Alteh moid
Spinster, old maid
Alter bocher
Bachelor
Alter bok
Old goat
Alter Kocker
An old man or old woman.
An alteh machashaifeh
An old witch
An alter bakahnter
An old acquaintance
An alter trombenick
An old bum
An emmisse meisse
An *(absolutely)* true tale
Apikoros
An unbeliever, a skeptic, an atheist
Arbit
Work
Arein!
Come in!
Aroisgevorfen
Thrown out, wasted *(wasted opportunities)*
Aroisgevorfene gelt
Thrown out money *(Wasted money)*
Arumgeflickt!
Plucked! Milked!
Arumloifer
Street urchin; person who runs around
Ayn klaynigkeit
Ya, sure!! *(very derogatory)*
Az a yor ahf mir.
I should have such good luck.
Az di bobe volt gehat beytsim volt zi geven mayn zeyde!
If my grandmother had testicles she would be my grandfather.
Az mir vill schlugen a hunt, gifintmin a schtecken
If one wants to beat a dog, one finds a stick.
Az och un vai!
Tough luck! Too bad! Misfortune!
Az tzvei zuggen shiker, leigst zich der driter shloffen
If two people say you’re drunk, the third one goes to sleep. If two people confirm something, it’s true.
Azoy?
Really?
Azoy gait es!
That’s how it goes!
Azoy gich?
So soon?
Azoy vert dos kichel tzekrochen!
That’s how the cookie crumbles!
B
Babka
Coffee cake style pastry
Badchan
Jester, merry maker or master of ceremonies at a wedding; at the end of the meal he announces the presents, lifting them up and praising the giver and the gift in a humorous manner
Bagroben
To bury
Baitsim
Testicles
Balebatim
Persons of high standing
Balbatish
Quiet, respectable, well mannered
Balebatisheh yiden
Respectable Jews, people of substance and good standing in the community
Baleboosteh
Mistress of the house. A compliment to someone who is a terrific housekeeper. *“She is some baleboosteh!”*
Balegoola
Truckdriver or sloppy person of low standing.
Balmalocha
An expert *(sometimes used sarcastically- Oy, is he an expert!)*
Balnes
Miracle-worker
Bal Toyreh
Learned man, scholar
Balt
Sure
Bandit
Menace, outlaw, pain-in-the-neck
Bankes
Small suction cups, usually the size of a common shot glass, used to cure many ills in the past. Some people still swear by the effectiveness of this treatment.
Bareden yenem
To gossip
Baren *(taboo)*
Fornicate: bother, annoy
Barimer
Braggart, show-off
Bashert / Bashert zein
Fated or predestined; to be destined
Bas-yekhide
A female only child
Batampte
Tasty, delicious
Batlan
Someone without a trade or a regular means of livelihood
Baysn zikh di finger vos
Regret strongly that……..
Becher
Wine goblet
Behaimeh
Animal, cow *(when referring to a human being, means dull-witted)*
Bei mir hust du gepoylt
You’ve gotten your way with me.
Ben-yokhid
A male only child
Benken
“To yearn for” or “to long for.”
Benkshaft
Homesickness, nostalgia
Bentsh
To bless, to recite a blessing
Bentshen lecht
Recite prayer over lit candles on Sabbath eve or Holy Day candles
Beryeh
Efficient, competent housewife
Bes medresh
Synagogue
Bialy
Named for the Polish city of Bialystock, the bialy is of Jewish origin. A Bialy is a fairly large (about 6 inches) chewy round yeast roll. Somewhat similar to a bagel, it has a depression rather than a hole in the centre, and is sprinkled with chopped sauteed onion before baking.
Bikur cholem
Visiting the sick
Billik
Cheap, inexpensive
Bist meshugeh?
Are you crazy?
Biteh
Please
Blondjen
To wander, be lost
Boarderkeh
A female boarder
Boch
A punch
Bohmer / Bohmerkeh
Bum *(Bohmer is masculine, Bohmerkeh is feminine)*
Boorvisser fiss / Borviss
Barefoot
Boreke borsht
Beet borsht which the wealthy could afford.
Borekes
Pastries with cheese inside
Borsht
Beet soup
Borsht circuit
Hotels in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, with an almost entirely Jewish clientele, who are fond of borsht; term is used by entertainers
Botvenye borsht
Borsht made from beet leaves for the poor.
Boychik
Young boy *(term of endearment)*
Boykh
Stomach, abdomen
Boykhvehtig
Stomachache
Breeye / Breire
Creature, animal; choice
Bris
Circumcision
Bristen
Breasts
Broitgeber
Head of family *(Lit., Bread giver)*
Bronfen
Whiskey
Broygis
Not on speaking terms
B’suleh
Virgin
Bubbeh / Bubbee
Grandmother; or a friendly term for anybody you like
Bubbe maisse
Grandmother’s tale.
Bubeleh
Endearing term for anyone you like regardless of age
Bulvan
Man built like an ox; boorish, coarse, rude person
Bupkis
Nothing. Something totally worthless *(Lit., Beans)*
Butchke
chat, tete-a-tete, telling tales
C
Chai
Hebrew word for LIFE, comprised of the two Hebrew letters, Chet and Yod. There is a sect of Jewish mysticism that assigns a numeric value to each letter in the Hebrew alphabet and is devoted to finding hidden meanings in the numeric values of words. The letter “Chet” has the numeric value of 8, and the letter “Yod”, has the value of 10, for a total of 18.
Chaider
Religious School
Chaim Yonkel
any Tom, Dick or Harry
Chaimyankel kooternooz
The perennial cuckold
Chaleria
Evil woman. Probably derived from cholera.
Chaleshen
Faint
Challa
Ceremonial “egg” bread. Either round or shaped long. Used on Shabbat and most religious observances with the exception of Pesach (Passover)
Chaloshes
Nausea, faintness, unconsciousness
Chamoole
Donkey, jackass, numbskull, fool
Chamoyer du ainer!
You blockhead! You dope, You ass!
Chanukah
Also known as the “Festival of Lights”, commemorates the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Chanukah is celebrated for 8 days during which one additional candle is added to the menorah on each night of the holiday.
Chap a gang!
Beat it! *(Lit., Catch a way, catch a road)*
Chap ein a meesa meshina!
“May you suffer an ugly fate!”
Chap nit!
Take it easy! Not so fast! *(Lit., Don’t grab)*
Chaptsem!
Catch him!
Chassene / Chassene machen
Wedding; to plan and execute a wedding.
Chas v’cholileh!
G-d forbid!
Chavver
Friend
Chaye
Animal
Chazen / Chazenteh
Cantor; or the wife of a cantor
Chazzer
A pig *(one who eats like a pig)*
Chazzerei
Swill; pig’s feed; anything bad, unpalatable, rotten. In other words, “junk food.” This word can also be used to describe a lot of household or other kinds of junk.
Chazzershtal
Pigpen; slovenly kept room or house.
Chei kuck *(taboo)*
Nothing, infinitesimal, worthless, unimportant *(Lit., human dung)*
Chev ‘r’ mann
Buddy
Chmalyeh!
Bang, punch; Slam! Wallop!
Chochem
A wise man *(Slang: A wise guy)*
Chochmeh
Wisdom, bright saying, witticism
Choleryeh
Cholera; a curse, plague
Choshever mentsh
Man of worth and dignity; elite person; respected person
Chosid
Rabid fan
Chossen / Chossen-kalleh
Bridegroom; or the bride and groom / engaged couple
Choyzik machen
Make fun of, ridicule
Chrain
Horseradish
Chropen / Chub Rachmones
Snore; or “Have pity”
Chug / Chupah
Activity group; or the canopy under which a bride and groom stand during marriage ceremony.
Chutzpeh / Chutzpenik
Brazenness, gall, baitzim; or an impudent fellow
Chvalye / Columbus’s medina
Ocean wave; or something that’s not what it’s cracked up to be *(Columbus’s country)*.
D
Danken Got!
Thank G-d!
Darf min gehn in kolledj?
For this I went to college? Usually said when describing a menial task.
Davenen / Deigeh nisht!
Pray; or Don’t worry!
Der mensch trakht un Gott lahkht
Man thinks (plans) and God laughs
Der oyg / Der oylam is a goylem
Eye; or The world is stupid.
Der tate oysn oyg / Der universitet / Der zokn
Just like his father; or University; or Old man.
Derech erets / Derlebn / Der oysdruk
Respect; or To live to see; or Expression.
Dershtikt zolstu veren! / Di khemye
You should choke on it!; or Chemistry.
Di skeyne / Di Skeynes / Di skeynim
Old woman; or Old women; or Old men.
Die goldene medina / Die untershte sheereh
The golden country; or the bottom line.
Dine Essen teg
Yeshiva students would arrange to be fed by various householders on a daily basis in different houses. *(Lit., Eat days)*
Dingen
Bargain, hire, engage, lease, rent
Dis fayntin shneg / Dis fayntin zoraiganin
It’s starting to snow; or It’s starting to rain.
Dos gefelt mir / Dos hartz hot mir gezogt
This pleases me; or My heart told me (I predicted it).
Dos iz alts / Dos zelbeh
That’s all; or The same.
Drai mir nit kain kop! / Drai zich! / Draikop
Don’t bother me! *(Lit., Don’t twist my head)*; or Keep moving!; or Scatterbrain.
Dreidal
Spinning top used in a game that is associated with the holiday of Chanukah.
Drek
Human dung, feces, manure or excrement; inferior merchandise or work; insincere talk or excessive flattery
Drek auf dem teller / Drek mit Leber
Mean spirited, valueless *(Lit. crap on a plate)*; or Absolutely nothing (it’s not worth anything).
Druchus / Du fangst shoyn on?
The sticks *(way out in the wild)*; or Are you starting up again?
Du kannst nicht auf meinem rucken pishen unt mir sagen class es regen ist.
You can’t pee on my back and tell me that it’s rain!
Dumkop / Durkhfall / Dybbuk
Dumbbell, dunce *(Lit., Dumb head)*; or A flop or failure; or a soul condemned to wander for a time in this world because of its sins.
E
Ech / Ech mir (eppes)
A groan, a disparaging exclamation; or a humorous, disparaging remark about anything *(e.g. “American Pie ech mir a movie?”)*.
Efsher / Ei! Ei!
Maybe, could be; or a Yiddish exclamation equivalent to the English “Oh!”.
Eingeshpahrt / Eingetunken / Einhoreh
Stubborn; or Dipped, dunked; or The evil eye.
Eizel / Ek velt / Emes / Emitzer
Fool, dope; or End of the world; or The truth; or Someone.
Enschultig meir / Entoisht / Eppes
“Well excuuuuuuse ME!”; or Disappointed; or Something.
Er bolbet narishkeiten / Er drayt sich arum vie a fortz in russell
He talks nonsense; or He wanders around like a fart in a barrel *(aimless)*.
Er est vi noch a krenk. / Er frest vi a ferd.
He eats as if he just recovered from a sickness; or He eats like a horse.
Er hot a makeh. / Er hot nit zorg. / Er iz a niderrechtiker kerl!
He has nothing at all *(Lit., He has a boil or a minor hurt.)*; or He hasn’t got a worry; or He’s a low down good-for-nothing.
Er iz shoyn du, der nudnik! / Er macht a tel fun dem.
The nuisance is here already!; or He ruins it.
Er macht zack nisht visindicht / Er toig (taig) nit
He pretends he doesn’t know he is doing something wrong *(Example: Sneaking into a theatre or front of a line)*; or He’s no good, worthless.
Er varved zakh / Er zitst oyf shpilkes.
*Lit: He’s throwing himself.* Example: He’s getting angry, agitated; or He’s restless *(Lit., He sits on pins and needles.)*
Er zol vaksen vi a tsibeleh, mit dem kop in drerd! / Eretz Yisroel
He should grow like an onion, with his head in the ground!; or Land of Israel.
Es brent mir ahfen hartz. / Es gait nit! / Es gefelt mir.
I have heartburn; or It doesn’t work! It isn’t running smoothly!; or I like it *(Lit., It pleases me.)*
Es hot zich oysgelohzen a boydem!
Nothing came of it! *(Lit., There’s nothing up there but a small attic.)*
Es iz a shandeh far di kinder! / Es iz (tsu) shpet. / Es ken gemolt zein.
It’s a shame for the children!; or It is (too) late; or It is conceivable / imaginable.
Es macht mir nit oys. / Es iz nit dayn gesheft / Es past nit.
It doesn’t matter to me; or It’s none of your business; or It is not becoming / fitting.
Es tut mir a groisseh hanoeh! / Es tut mir bahng. / Es tut mir vai
It gives me great pleasure! *(often said sarcastically)*; or I’m sorry *(Lit., It sorrows me)*; or It hurts me.
Es vert mir finster in di oygen. / Es vet gornit helfen!!
A response to receiving extremely upsetting information *(Lit., It’s getting dark in my eyes.)*; or Nothing will help!!
Es vet helfen vi a toiten bahnkes! / Ess vie ein foygl sheise vie ein feirt!
It won’t help (any)! *(Lit., It will help like blood-cupping on a dead body.)*; or Eat like a bird, shit like a horse!
Ess, bench, sei a mensch / Ess gezunterhait / Essen / Essen mitik
Eat, pray, don’t act like a jerk!; or Eat in good health; or To eat; or Eating midday / having dinner.
F
Fahrshvindn / Faigelah
Disappeared; or Bird *(also used as a derogatory reference to a gay person)*.
Fantazyor / Farbissener / Farblondzhet
Man who builds castles in the air; or Embittered/bitter person; or Lost, bewildered, confused.
Farblujet / Farbrecher / Fardeiget
Bending your ear; or Crook, conman; or Distressed, worried, full of care, anxiety.
Fardinen a mitzveh / Fardrai zich dem kop! / Fardross
Earn a blessing or a merit *(by doing a good deed)*; or Go drive yourself crazy!; or Resentment, disappointment, sorrow.
Farfolen / Farfoylt / Farfroyren / Fargessen
Lost; or Mildewed, rotten, decayed; or Frozen; or Forgot.
Farklempt / Farklempt fis / Far Knaft
Too emotional to talk. Ready to cry *(See “Verklempt”)*; or Clumsy feet; or Engaged.
Farkakte *(taboo)* / Farmach dos moyl! / Farmatert
Dungy, shitty; or Shut up! Quiet *(Lit., Shut your mouth)*; or Tired.
Farmisht / Farmutshet / Farpitzed / Farschimmelt
Befuddled; or Worn out, fatigued, exhausted; or To get all dressed up to the “nines”; or Moldy/rotten *(senile)*.
Farshlepteh krenk / Farshlugginer / Farshmeieter
Fruitless, endless matter *(Lit., A sickness that hangs on)*; or Shaken/mixed-up item of little value; or Highly excitable person.
Farshnickert / Farshnoshket / Farshtaist?
Drunk, high as a kite; or Loaded, drunk; or You understand?
Farshtopt / Farshtunken / Farshvitst / Fartik
Stuffed; or Smells bad, stinks; or Sweaty; or Finished, ready, complete.
Far-tshadikt / Far zikher / Fayeke / Fayeker
Confused, bewildered *(as if by fumes/gas)*; or For sure; or Capable *(Fayeke is feminine, Fayeker is masculine)*.
Feh! / Feinkochen / Feinshmeker / Fendel
Fooey, it stinks!; or Omelet/scrambled eggs; or Hi falutin’; or Pan.
Ferd / Ferkrimpter ponim / Ferprishte punim / Fet
Horse *(slang: a fool)*; or Twisted-up, scowling face; or Pimple-face; or Fat, obese.
Fetter / Finster un glitshik / Fisfinger
Uncle *(also onkel)*; or Miserable *(Lit., Dark and slippery)*; or Toes.
Fisslach / Fliegel / Focha / Foigel
Feet *(chickens’/duck’s)*; or Fowl’s wing; or Fan; or Smart guy *(Lit: bird)*.
Foiler / Foilishtik / Folg mikh! / Folg mikh a gang!
Lazy man; or Foolishness; or Obey me!; or Quite a distance! / Hardly worth the trouble!
Fonfen / For gezunterhait! / Forshpeiz
Speak through the nose; or Bon voyage! Travel in good health!; or Appetizer.
Fortz / Fortz n’ zovver / Frageh / Frailech
Fart; or A foul, soul-smelling fart; or Question; or Happy.
Frassk in pisk / Freint / Fremder
Slap in the face; or Friend / Mr.; or Stranger.
Fress / Fressen / Fressing
Eat… pig out; or Eat like a pig, devour; or Gourmandizing.
Froy / Frum (frimer) / Funfeh
Woman / Mrs.; or Pious, religious, devout; or Speaker’s fluff / error.
N
N’vayle
Shroud; inept person
Na!
Here! Take it. There you have it.
Naches
Joy: Gratification, especially from children.
Nacht falt tsu.
Night is falling; twilight
Nadan
Dowry
Nafkeh
Prostitute
Nafkeh bay-is
Whorehouse
Naidlechech
Rare thing
Nar
Fool
Nar ainer!
You fool, you!
Narish
Foolish
Narishkeit
Foolishness
Narvez
Nervous
Nebach
It’s a pity. Unlucky, pitiable person.
Nebbish
A nobody, simpleton, weakling, awkward person
Nebechel
Nothing, a pitiful person; or playing role of being one
(A) Nechtiker tog!
He’s (it’s) gone! Forget it! Nonsense! (Lit., a yesterday’s day)
Nechuma
Consolation
Nechvenin
To masturbate
Nem zich a vaneh!
Go take a bath! Go jump in the lake!
Neshomeh
Soul, spirit
Neshomeleh
Sweetheart, sweet soul
Nisht geshtoygen, nisht gefloygen
neither here nor there
Nifter-shmifter, a leben macht er?
What difference does it make as long as he makes a living? (Lit., nifter means deceased.)
Nishkosheh
Not so bad, satisfactory. (This has nothing to do with the word “kosher”, but comes from the Hebrew and means “hard, heavy,” thus “not bad.”
Nisht araynton keyn finger in kalt vaser
Loaf, not do a thing, be completely inactive
Nisht fur dich gedacht!
It shouldn’t happen! G-d forbid! (Lit., May we be saved from it! [sad event] )
Nishtgedeiget
Don’t worry; doesn’t worry
Nisht geferlech
Not so bad, not too shabby (Lit. not dangerous.)
Nishtkefelecht
No big deal!
Nisht gefloygen, nisht getoygen
It doesn’t matter
Nisht gefonfit!
Don’t hedge. Don’t fool around. Don’t double-talk.
Nisht getoygen, nisht gefloygen
It doesn’t fly, it doesn’t fit
Nisht getrofen!
So I guessed wrong!
Nisht gut
Not good, lousy
Nisht naitik
Not necessary
Nishtgutnick
No-good person
Nishtikeit!
A nobody!
Nishtu gedacht!
It shouldn’t happen! G-d forbid!
Nit kain farshloffener
A lively person
Nit ahin, nit aher
Neither here nor there
Nit gidacht!
It shouldn’t happen! (Same as nishtu gedacht)
Nit gidacht gevorn.
It shouldn’t come to pass.
Nit kosher
Impure food. Also, slang, anything not good
Nit heint, nit morgen!
Not today, not tomorrow!
Nito farvos!
You’re welcome!
Nitsn
To use
Noch a mool
One more time
Noch nisht
Not yet
Nochshlepper
Hanger-on, unwanted follower
Nor Got vaist
Only G-d knows.
Nosh
Snack
Nosherie
Snack food
Nu?
So? Well?
Nu, dahf men huben kinder?
Does one have children? (When a child does something bad)
Nu, shoyn!
Move, already! Hurry up! Let’s go! Aren’t you finished?
Nudnik
Pesty nagger, nuisance, a bore, obnoxious person
Nudje
Annoying person, badgerer (Americanism)
Nudjen
Badger, annoy persistently
O
Ober yetzt?
So now? (Yetzt is also spelled itzt)
Obtshepen
Get rid of
Och un vai!
Alas and alack: woe be to it!
Oder a klop, oder a fortz (taboo)
Either too much or not enough (Lit., either a wallop or a fart)
Oder gor oder gornisht
All or nothing
Ohmain
Amen
Oi!!
Yiddish exclamation to denote disgust, pain, astonishment or rapture
Oi, a shkandal!
Oh, what a scandal!
Oi, gevald
Cry of anguish, suffering, frustration or for help
Oi, Vai!
Dear me! Expression of dismay or hurt
Oi vai iz mir!
Woe is me!
Oif tsalooches
For spite
Oisgeshtrobelt!
Overdressed woman.
Oisgeshtrozelt
Decorated (beautiful)
Oisgevapt
Flat (as in “the fizz has gone out of it.”)
Ois-shteler
Braggart
Oiver botel
Absentminded: getting senile
Okurat
That’s right! Ok! Absolutely! (Sarcastically: Ya’ sure!)
Okuratner mentsh
Orderly person
Olreitnik!
Nouveau riche!
On langeh hakdomes!
Cut it short! (Lit., without long introductions.)
Ongeblozzen
Conceited: peevish, sulky, pouting
Ongeblozzener
Stuffed shirt
Ongematert
Tired out
Ongepatshket
Cluttered, disordered, scribbled, sloppy, muddled, overly-done
Ongeshtopt
Very wealthy
Ongeshtopt mit gelt
Very wealthy; (Lit., stuffed with money)
Ongetrunken
Drunk
Ongetshepter
Bothersome hanger-on
Ongevarfen
Cluttered, disordered
Onshikenish (Hanger-on)
Hanger-on
Onshikenish (Nagger)
Pesty nagger
Onzaltsen
Giving you the business; bribe; soft-soap; sweet-talk (Lit., to salt)
Opgeflickt!
Done in! Suckered! Milked!
Opgehitener
Pious person
Opgekrochen
Shoddy
Opgekrocheneh schoireh
Shoddy merchandise
Opgelozen(er)
Careless dresser
Opgenart
Cheated, fooled
Opnarer
Trickster, shady operator
Opnarerei
Deception
Orehman
Poor man, without means
Oremkeit
Poverty
Ot azaih
That’s how, just like that
Ot kimm ich
Here I come!
Ot gaist du
There you go (again)
Oy mi nisht gut gevorn
“Oh my, I’m growing weary.”
Oy vey tsu meina baina
Woe is me (down to my toes)
Oybershter in himmel
G-d in heaven
Oych a bashefenish
Also a V.I.P.! A big person! (said derogatorily, sarcastically, or in pity)
Oych mir a leben!
This too is a living! This you call a living?
Oyfen himmel a yarid!
Much ado about nothing! Impossible! (Lit., In heaven there’s a big fair!)
Oyfgekumener
Come upper, upstart
Oyfn oyg
Roughly, approximately
Oyg oyf oyg
In private, face-to-face
Oys shiddech
The marriage is off!
Oysznoygn fun finger
Concoct, invent (a story)
Oysergeveynlekh
Unusual (sometimes used as “great.”)
Oysgedart
Skinny, emaciated
Oysgehorevet
Exhausted
Oysgematert
Tired out, worn out
Oysgemutshet
Worked to death, tired out
Oysgeposhet
“Well grazed,” in the sense of being fat.
Oysgeputst
Dressed up, overdressed; over decorated
Oysgeshprait
Spread out
Oysgevapt
A bubbly drink that has lost its fizz.
Oysvurf
Outcast, bad person
P
Paigeren
To die (animal)
Paigeren zol er!
He should drop dead!
Pamelech
Slow, slowly
Parech
Low-life, a bad man
Parnosseh
Livelihood
Parshiveh
Mean, cheap
Parshoin
He-man
Partatshnek
Inferior merchandise or work
Parveh
Neutral food, neither milchidik (dairy) nor flaishidik (meat)
Paskidnye
Rotten, terrible
Paskudnik, paskudnyak
Ugly, revolting, evil person; nasty fellow
Past nit.
It isn’t proper.
Patsh
Slap, smack on the cheek
Patsh zich in tuchis und schrei “hooray”
Said to a child who complains he/she has nothing to do (slap your backside and yell “hooray”)
Patshkies around
Anglicized characterization of one who wastes time.
Patteren tseit
To lounge around; waste time
Pavolyeh
Slow (derived from Polish)
Payess
Long side-curls worn by Hasidic and other ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.
Payets
Clowns
Petseleh
Little penis
Phooey! fooey, pfui
Designates disbelief, distaste, contempt
Pinkt kahpoyer
Upside down; just the opposite
Pipek
Navel, belly button
Pishechtz
Urine
Pisher
Male infant, a little squirt, a nobody
Pisk
Slang for mouth; insultingly, it means a big mouth, loudmouth
Pisk-Malocheh
Big talker-little doer! (man who talks a good line but does nothing)
Pitseler
Toddler, small child
Pitshetsh
Chronic complainer
Pitsel
Wee, tiny
Pitsvinik
Little nothing
Plagen
Work hard, sweat out a job, suffer
Plagen zich
To suffer
Plaplen
Chatter
Plats!
Burst! Bust your guts out! Split your guts!!
Platsin zuls du
May you explode
Plimenik
Nephew
Plimenitse
Niece
Plotz
To burst
Pluchet
Heavy rain (from Polish “Plucha”)
Plyoot
Bull-shitter; Loudmouth
Plyotkenitzeh
A gossip
Ponem
Face
Poo, poo, poo
Simulate spitting three times to avoid the evil eye
Pooter veren
Getting rid of (Lit: making butter)
Pooter veren fon emitzer
Getting rid of someone; eg: “ich geh’ veren pooter fon ihr” – “I’m going to be getting rid of her!”
Poseyakh
Rolling out dough
Potchke
Fool around or “mess” with
Potzevateh
Dimwit, someone who is “out of it.”
Praven
Celebrate
Preplen
To mutter, mumble
Prezhinitse
Scrambled eggs with milk added.
Prietzteh
Princess; finicky girl; (having airs, giving airs; being snooty) prima donna!
Pripitchok
Long, narrow wood-burning stove
Prost
Coarse, common, vulgar
Prostaches
Low class people
Prostak
Ignorant boor, coarse person, vulgar man
Proster chamoole
Low-class shithead
Prosteh leit
Simple people, common people; vulgar, ignorant, “low class” people
Proster mentsh
Vulgar man, common man
Ptsha
Cows feet in jelly
Pulke
The upper thigh
Pupik
Navel, belly button, gizzard, chicken stomachs
Pupiklech
Dish of chicken gizzards
Pushkeh
Little box for coins
Pustunpasnik
Loaffer, idler
Putz
Slang word for “penis.” Also used when describing someone as being “a jerk.”
Pyesseh
A play, drama
R
Rachmones
Compassions, mercy, pity
Rav
Rabbi, religious leader of the community
Reb
Mr., Rabbi; title given to a learned and respected man
Rebbe fon Stutz
A phrase used to explain the unexplainable. Similar to blaming something on the fairies or a mystical being.
Rebiniu
“Rabbi dear!” Term of endearment for a rabbi
Rebitsin
Literally, the rabbi’s wife (often sarcastically applied to a woman who gives herself airs, or acts excessively pious) ; pompous woman
Rechielesnitseh
Dowdy, gossipy woman
Reden on a moss
To chatter without end
Redn tzu der vant
Talk in vain or to talk and receive no answer (Lit. , talk to the wall for all the good it will do you)
Redlshtul
Wheelchair
Redt zich ayn a kreynk!
Imaginary sickness
Redt zich ayn a kind in boich
Imaginary pregnancy (Imaginary anything)
Reich
Rich, wealthy
Reisen di hoit
Skin someone alive (Lit., to tear the skin)
Reissen
To tear
Retsiche
Murder
Ribi-fish, gelt oyfen tish!
Don’t ask for credit! Pay in cash in advance! Cash on the barrel-head!
Riboynoy-shel-oylom! (Hebrew)
God in heaven, Master of the Universe
Richtiker chaifetz
The real article! The real McCoy!
Rirevdiker
A lively person
Rolleh
Role in a play
Rooshisher
Definitely NOT a Litvak; coming from Ukraine, White Russia; the Crimea, Russia itself.
Roseh
Mean, evil person
Rossel flaysh
Yiddish refritos
(A) Ruach in dein taten’s taten arein!
Go to the devil! (Lit., A devil (curse) should enter your father’s father!)
Ruf mich k’nak-nissel!
I did wrong? So call me a nut!
Ruktish
Portable table
S
S’vet helfen azoy vie a toytn baynkes
Lit: It will help as much as applying cups to a dead person.
S’art eich?
What does it matter to you? Does it matter to you?
Saykhel
Common sense
Schochet
A ritual slaughterer of animals and fowl.
Se brent nit!
Don’t get excited! (Lit., It’s not on fire!)
Se shtinkt!
It stinks!
Se zol dir grihmen in boych!
You should get a stomach cramp!
Sh’ gootzim
Plural of shaigetz
Sha! (gently said)
Please keep quiet.
Shabbes goy
Someone doing the dirty work for others (Lit;, gentile doing work for a Jew on Sabbath)
Shabbes klopper
A resident of a neighbourhood who’s job it was to “klop” or bang on the shutters of Jewish homes to announce the hour of sundown on Friday
Shadchen
Matchmaker or marriage broker. There is the professional type who derives his or her living from it, but many Jewish people engage in matchmaking without compensation.
Shaigetz
Non-Jewish boy; wild Jewish boy
Shaigetz ainer!
Berating term for irreligious Jewish boy, one who flouts Jewish law
Shaile
A question
Shain vi der lavoone
As pretty as the moon
Shain vi di zibben velten
Beautiful as the seven worlds
Shaineh maidel
pretty girl
Shaineh raaineh keporah
Beautiful, clean sacrifice. Nothing to regret.
Shainer gelechter
Hearty laugh (sarcastically, Some laughter!)
Shainkeit
Beauty
Shaitel, (sheitel)
Wig (Ultra-orthodox married women cover their hair. Some use a shaitel)
Shalach mohnes
Customary gifts exchanges on Purim, usually goodies
Shalom
Peace (a watchword and a greeting)
Shamus
Sexton, beadle of the synagogue, also, the lighter taper used to light other candles on a menorah, a policeman (slang)
Shandeh
Shame or disgrace
Shandhoiz
Brothel, whorehouse
Shpatzir
A walk without a particular destination
Shat, shat! Hust!
Quiet! Don’t get excited
Shatnes
Proscription against wearing clothes that are mixed of wool and linen
Shav
Cold spinach soup, sorrel grass soup, sour leaves soup
Shayneh kepeleh
Pretty head (lit) Good looking, good thoughts
Shemevdik
Bashful, shy
Shepen naches
Enjoy; gather pleasure, draw pleasure, especially from children
Shidech (pl., shiduchim)
Match, marriage, betrothal
Shihi-pihi
Mere nothings
Shik-yingel
Messenger
Shikker
Drunkard
Shikseh
Non-Jewish girl
Shitteryne
To cook without a recipe. Add a little of this, a little of that, a little of something else, without measuring.
Shlissel
A key
Shissel
A basin or bowl
Shitter
Sparse, lean, meager
Shiva
Mourning period of seven days observed by family and friends of deceased
Shkapeh
A hag, a mare; worthless
Shkotz
Berating term for mischievous Jewish boy
Shlak
Apoplexy; a wretch, a miserable person; shoddy; shoddy merchandise
Shlang
Snake, serpent; a troublesome wife; penis (taboo)
Shlatten shammes
Communal busybody, tale bearer; messenger
Shlecht
Bad
Shlecht veib
Shrew (Lit., a bad wife)
Shlemiel
Clumsy bungler, an inept person, butter-fingered; dopey person
Shlep
Drag, carry or haul, particularly unnecessary things, parcels or baggage; to go somewhere unwillingly or where you may be unwanted
Shleppen
To drag, pull, carry, haul
Shlepper
Sponger, panhandler, hanger-on; dowdy, gossipy woman, free-loader
Shlimazel
Luckless person. Unlucky person; one with perpetual bad luck (it is said that the shlemiel spills the soup on the shlimazel!)
Shlog zich kop in vant.
Break your own head! (Lit., bang your head on the wall)
Shlog zich mit Got arum!
Go fight City Hall! (Lit., Go fight with God.)
Shlogen
To beat up
Shlok
A curse; apoplexy
Shlooche
Slut
Shloof
Sleep, nap
Shlosser
Mechanic
Shlub
A jerk; a foolish, stupid or unknowing person, second rate, inferior.
Shlump
Careless dresser, untidy person; as a verb, to idle or lounge around
Shlumperdik
Unkempt, sloppy
Shmaltz
Grease or fat; (slang) flattery; to sweet talk, overly praise, dramatic
Shmaltzy
Sentimental, corny
Shmatteh
Rag, anything worthless
Shmeis
Bang, wallop
Shmek tabik
Nothing of value (Lit., a pinch of snuff)
Shmeer
The business; the whole works; to bribe, to coat like butter
Shmegegi
Buffoon, idiot, fool
Shmeichel
To butter up
Schmeikel
To swindle, con, fast-talk.
Shmendrik
nincompoop; an inept or indifferent person; same as shlemiel
Shmo(e)
Naive person, easy to deceive; a goof (Americanism)
Shmontses
Trifles, folly
Shmouz; (shmuess)
Chat, talk
Shmuck (tabboo)
Self-made fool; obscene for penis: derisive term for a man
Shmulky!
A sad sack!
Shmuts
Dirt, slime
Shmutzik
Dirty, soiled
Shnapps
Whiskey, same as bronfen
Shnecken
Little fruit and nut coffee rolls
Shneider
Tailor; in gin rummy card game, to win game without opponent scoring
Shnell
Quick, quickly
Shnook
A patsy, a sucker, a sap, easy-going, person easy to impose upon, gullible
Shnorrer
A beggar who makes pretensions to respectability; sponger, a parasite
Shnur
Daughter-in-law
Shokklen
To shake
Shoymer
Watchman; historically refers also to the armed Jewish watchman in the early agricultural settlements in the Holy Land
Shoymer mitzves
Pious person
Shoyn ainmol a’ metsei-eh!
Really a bargain
Shoyn fargessen?
You have already forgotten?
Shoyn genug!
That’s enough!
Shpiel
Play
Shpilkes
Pins and needles
Shpits
end, the heel of the bread
Shpitsfinger
Toes
Shpitzik
Pointed sense of humour, witty, sarcastic, caustic
Shpogel nei
Brand-new
Shreklecheh zach
A terrible thing
Shtarben
To die
Shtark, shtarker
Strong, brave
Shtark gehert
Smelled bad (used only in reference to food; Lit., strongly heard)
Shtark vi a ferd
Strong as a horse
Shteln zikh oyg oyf oyg mit….
To confront
Shtetl
Village or small town (in the “old country”)
Shtik
Piece, bit: a special bit of acting
Shtik drek (taboo)
Piece of shit; shit-head
Shtik goy
Idiomatic expression for one inclined to heretical views, or ignorance of Jewish religious values
Shtik naches
Grandchild, child, or relative who gives you pleasure; a great joy
Shtikel
Small bit or piece; a morsel
Shtiklech
Tricks; small pieces
Shtilinkerait
Quietly
Shtimm zich
Shut up!
Shtoltz
Pride; unreasonably and stubbornly proud, excessive self-esteem
Shtrafeeren
To threaten
Shtrudel
Sweet cake made of paper-thin dough rolled up with various fillings
Shtuk
Trouble
Shtum
Quiet
(A) Shtunk
A guy who doesn’t smell too good; a stink (bad odor) a lousy human
Shtup
Push, shove; vulgarism for sexual intercourse
Shtup es in toches! (taboo)
Shove (or stick) it up your rectum (ass)!
Shtuss
A minor annoyance that arises from nonsense
Shudden
A big mess
Shul
Colloquial Yiddish for synagogue
Shule
School
Shushkeh
A whisper; an aside
Shutfim
Associates
Shvach
Weak, pale
Shvachkeit
Weakness
Shvantz
tail, penis
Shvartz
Black
Shvegerin
Sister-in-law
Shvengern
Be pregnant
Shver
Father-in-law; heavy, hard, difficult
Shvertz azayan Yid
It’s hard to be a Jew
Shviger
Mother-in-law
Shvindel
Fraud, deception, swindle
Shvindeldik
Dizzy, unsteady
Shvitz
Sweat, sweating
Shvitz bod
Steam bath
Shvoger
Brother-in-law
Sidder
Jewish prayer book for weekdays and Saturday
Simantov
A good sign (lit) Often used with mazel tov to wish someone good luck or to express congratulations
Simcheh
Joy; also refers to a joyous occasion
Sitzfleish
Patience that can endure sitting (Lit., sitting flesh)
Smetteneh
Sour cream; Cream
Sobaka killev
Very doggy dog
Sof kol sof
Finally
Sonem
Enemy, or someone who thwarts your success.
S’teitsh!
Listen! Hold on! How is that? How is that possible? How come?
Strasheh mich nit!
Don’t threaten me!
Strashen net de genz
Lit., Do not disturb the geese. (You are full of yourself and making too much noise)
T
Ta’am
Taste, flavor; good taste
Ta’am gan eyden
Fabulous (Lit: A taste of the Garden of Eden)
Tachlis
Practical purpose, result
Tahkeh
Really! Is that so? Certainly!
Tahkeh a metsieh
Really a bargain! (usually said with sarcasm)
Taiglech
Small pieces of baked dough or little cakes dipped in honey
Tallis
Rectangular prayer-shawl to whose four corners, fringes are attached
Talmud
The complete treasury of Jewish law interpreting the Torah into livable law
Talmud Torah
The commandment to study the Law; an educational institution for orphans and poor children, supported by the community; in the United States, a Hebrew school for children
Tamavate
Feebleminded
Tamaveter
Feebleminded person
Tandaitneh
Inferior
Tararam
Big noise, big deal
Tashlich
Ceremony of the casting off of sins on the Jewish New Year (crumbs of bread symbolizing one’s sins are cast away into a stream of water in the afternoon of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashoneh)
Tateh, tatteh, tatteh, tatteleh, tatinka, tatteniu
Father, papa, daddy, pop
Tateh-mameh, papa-mama
Parents
Tatenui
Father dear (The suffix “niu” in Yiddish is added for endearing intimacy; also, G-d is addressed this way by the pious; Tateniu-Foter means G-d, our Father)
Tchotchkes
Little playthings, ornaments, bric-a-brac, toys
Teier
Dear, costly, expensive
Tei-yerinkeh!
Sweetheart, dearest
Temp
Dolt
Temper kop
Dullard
Ti mir nit kayn toyves
“Don’t do me any favours” (sarcastic)
Tinef
Junk, poorly made
T’noim
Betrothal, engagement
Toches
Buttocks, behind, fanny (ass)
