Kratsmach

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Pronunciations

Kratsmach (KRATS-mach) listen

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Definitions

  • n. Christmas.

Example Sentences

  • "This leads to the obvious question at this time of year as to whether there is a heter to pronounce the name of Xmas, as opposed to Kratzmach or some other such corruption. It is exceedingly difficult to function in the modern workplace without uttering this word."

  • "What’s next, kratsmach decorations in order to make goyim pat you on the shoulder and say attaboy?!" (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish
  • English

Etymology

  • קראַץ מיך krats mikh 'scratch me,' based on similar sound to English "Christmas"

      • Who Uses This

      • Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)
      • Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older

      Regions

      • North America
      • Australia / New Zealand
      • Great Britain
      • South Africa

      Dictionaries

      • None

      Alternative Spellings

      Kratsmakh, Kratzmach, Kritzmach, Chritzmach, Kratsmikh, Kratzmech

Notes

  • This is an in-group, often tongue-in-cheek, way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ. It was likely coined by a bilingual Yiddish-English speaker in the United States, and today it is common among Orthodox Jews.

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