Chelm

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Pronunciations

chelm (KHELM) listen

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Definitions

  • n. (Yiddish folklore) A town inhabited by foolish but endearing people.

  • n. A real town in Poland; Chelmno.

Example Sentences

  • "One Jewish Chelm resident bought a fish on Friday to serve on the Sabbath. He put the live fish underneath his coat and the fish slapped his face with his tail. He went to the Chelm court to submit a charge, and the court sentenced the fish to death by drowning."

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • כעלם khelm

      • Who Uses This

      • Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
      • Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage

      Regions

      • North America
      • Australia / New Zealand
      • Great Britain

      Dictionaries

      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).

      Alternative Spellings

      Khelm

Notes

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