yotzmach

Definitions

• a fool, a clueless person, someone who doesn't know what they're doing

Languages of Origin

• Aramaic

Etymology

• Likely from the Chasidish use of the phrase וְיַצְמַח פּוּרְקָנֵהּ וִיקָרֵב מְשִׁיחֵהּ v'yatzmach purkanei vikarev meshichei 'may He (G-d) cause His redemption to flourish and hasten the coming of His mashiach' in the Kaddish.

Who Uses This

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

Regions

• North America

Alternative Spellings

yutzmach, yutsmach, yotsmach, yutzmakh, yotzmakh, yutsmakh, yotsmakh

Notes

• Originally a pejorative term for Chasidim as applied by misnagdim (Eastern European Jews who resisted the rise of Chasidism); 'yutz' may be a shortened form of 'yutzmach' .