fumfeh

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Pronunciations

fumfeh (FUM-fuh)

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Definitions

  • v. To mumble, speak unclearly.

  • v. To double-talk, bluff, cheat.

  • v. To boast.

Example Sentences

  • "He’s not used to speaking in public. I hope he doesn’t fumfeh when he gets up to the podium." (JPS)

  • "Most people who know Yiddish will fumfeh around and probably give up when asked, ‘How do you say three coins in a fountain?’… 'The answer is very simple: three coins in a fountain = ‘oysgevorfeneh gelt' (wasted money)." (source)

  • “Don’t let him fonfe on the amount.” (NJY)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • פֿאָנפֿען fonfen

      • Who Uses This

      • Jews: Jews of diverse religious backgrounds and organizational involvements

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).
      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).

      Alternative Spellings

      fumfuh, fumfe, fumfu, fumfah, fumfa, fonfen, fonfeh, fonfe

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