shaina maidel

Alternative Spellings

sheina meidala, sheynah meydeleh, shana madel, sheyne meydl, sheina meidel, shayna maydel

Definitions

• pretty girl
• well-behaved girl (female equivalent of mensch, which is sometimes used just for males but is often used for males and females)

Example Sentences

• My grandma used to pinch my cheeks and call me shaina maidel.

Languages of Origin

Yiddish

Etymology

שײנע מײדעלע / שײנע מײדל sheyne meydl / sheyne meydele (Standard Yiddish שײן מײדל sheyn meydl, because the grammatical gender of meydl is neuter)

Who Uses This

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

Regions

North America

Dictionaries

None