10 Yiddish Words That Went Mainstream
10 Yiddish Words That Went Mainstream Even as fewer American Jews spoke Yiddish at home, various Yiddish words and phrases were adopted into the American lexicon. BY MJL When Ashkenazi Jews immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe, they brought with them the Yiddish language . Over time, fewer of them spoke Yiddish at home, but many Yiddish words and phrases came into use by Americans generally, both Jewish and not. Klutz : A clumsy or awkward person Origin : From the Yiddish word klots, meaning “wooden beam” Usage: “I’m such a klutz I tripped over my own shoelaces.” Nosh : A light snack Origin : From the Yiddish nashn , meaning “nibble” Usage: “I’m not hungry enough for dinner, but I could go for a nosh.” Schmooze : To chat lightly Origin : From the Yiddish shmuesn , meaning “conversation” Usage: “Thanks for inviting me to Shabbat dinner, I loved schmoozing with your college friends.” Tchotchke : A small item of little val