biz hundert un tsvantsik
Pronunciations
biz hundert un tsvantsik | (biz HOON-dert un TSVAN-tsik) | listen |
Definitions
interj. [May you/he/she live] "until a hundred and twenty [years]" -- often used as a birthday wish for long life, or when mentioning a person who is getting on in years.
Example Sentences
"I'd also like to extend warmest wishes to Hasia on the occasion of her reaching her 90th year, as we say 'alevay biz hundert un tsvantsik', with hopefully many more productive years ahead on the radio." (source)
Languages of Origin
- Yiddish
Etymology
ביז הונדערט און צװאַנציק
- Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
- Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage
- Yiddishists
- North America
- Great Britain
- South Africa
- Yiddish and English: A Century of Yiddish in America, by Sol Steinmetz (Tuscaloosa, 1986).
Who Uses This
Regions
Dictionaries
Alternative Spellings
biz hundred and tsvansik
Notes
Refers to the length of Moses' life. The parallel Hebrew expression - ad me'ah v'esrim - is also used in Jewish English. Also sometimes said as "biz hundert un tsvantsik yor" (until 120 years)
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