Thursday, February 20, 2020
Yiddish-Turned-English in the Oxford Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary recently includes a selection of Yiddish terms and words, the Times of Israel reported, with some entries not particularly complimentary, such as bagel – 'a derogatory and offensive word in the US for a Jew.'
"We reflect, rather than dictate, how language is used which means we include words which may be considered sensitive and derogatory. These are always labelled as such," the OED said in a statement.
The following is a sampling of the dictionary's latest additions:
bochur, n.: "A boy or young man; spec. a student of Talmudic and rabbinical writings at a yeshiva (yeshiva n.). Cf. yeshiva bochur n."
chrain [Yiddish], n.: "Horseradish; spec. a piquant sauce made with grated horseradish, vinegar, and (sometimes) beetroot, used as a condiment and traditionally served with…"
chutzpadik [Yiddish], adj.: "Esp. in Jewish usage: showing chutzpah; impudent, impertinent; audacious, very self-confident."
farbrengen, n.: "A Hasidic gathering, usually with eating, drinking, singing, and discussion of Hasidic teachings, held especially on the Sabbath and other festivals…"
kvetchy [Yiddish], adj.: "Given to or characterized by complaining or criticizing; ill-tempered, irritable."
shaliach, n.: "An emissary or agent; a representative or proxy. Also (in Jewish worship): a person responsible for leading the communal worship of a synagogue; =…"
unterfirer, n.: "In Jewish usage: (at a Jewish wedding) a person who leads or accompanies the bride or groom to the chuppah (chuppah n.).
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