P

arlez vous Francais?
Hablas Espanol? Du
redst Yiddish?
Your answer to any of the
above is proba-
bly “no” or per-
haps “a bissel.”
Actually, you
do know more
than you think
since so many
English words
have come to us
from other languages and are
now in common parlance.
Yiddish is a prime example,
especially since the forms of
the words have not been
changed since they were
“adopted.” Let’s examine
some.
If you invested in some-
thing and got no return, you
may say you have bupkis
(literally goat droppings). The
investment was probably
dreck (rubbish — a more PC
translation). The guy who sold
you on it was most likely a

gonif (thief).
Have you tried some new
technology and had trouble
employing it? No doubt you
encountered a glitch (mal-
function). Of course, you had
suggestions from friends who
love to kibbitz (give unwanted
advice). Do not kvetch (com-
plain); it will do no good.
Each of us knows some-
one who is a self-proclaimed
maven (expert).
His boasting could drive
you meshuggah (crazy).
It is late at night and you

just must have a nosh (snack).
OY! (exclamation of distress).
Well, make sure it does not
contain shmaltz (chicken fat)
or you are going to regret it.
Does your house need a
thorough cleaning to get rid
of built-up shmutz (dirt)? Just
wait; Pesach cannot be far off.



If you get complaints about
your housework, tell the
busybody to get their shnoz
out of your business. Tell
them to remain shtum (quiet).
Every tchotchke (knickknack),
by the way, does not have to

be dusted every time!
You deserve me-time: Sit
on your tush (bottom); watch
soap operas, starring a zaf-
tig (buxom) actress playing
a yenta (gossip), that make
you verklempt (choked with
emotion). Just do not get into
drinking; no one likes a shik-
ker (drunk).
Note to Yiddish speakers: I
do not wish to hear from you
about my transliterations or
translations: That is verboten
(forbidden). Just leave me to
my shtick (“comic” actions).

Sy Manello
Editorial
Assistant

Jewish Inventors

Can you unscramble the names of these Jewish inventors?

1. Think favors synods

2. Hey Mr lard

3. Aces arising

4. Archy ink mover

5. Ravels suits

See answers in next week’s issue. For answers to the Feb. 29 puzzle, see page 47.

Universal Usage

JUST FOR FUN

54 | MARCH 7 • 2024
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