folks-mentsh

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Pronunciations

folks-mentsh (FOHKS-mentsh) listen

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Definitions

  • n. A simple, unpretentious person.

  • n. One who could be a snob but chooses not to.

  • n. Someone who cares about Jewish values and tradition.

  • n. Someone with an interest in popular culture.

  • n. Someone with a strong social conscience.

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Example Sentences

  • “Franklin D. Roosevelt, my mother says, was at heart a folks-mentsh.” (NJY)

  • “I know a folks-mentsh who wants the cabin notices in all El Al aircraft to read: FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS - NO SMOKING - EAT FRUIT." (NJY)

  • "He was a rare folks–mentsh, despite the fact that he did not take part in any community affairs." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • פֿאָלקס־מענטש folksmentsh

      • Who Uses This

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

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).

      Alternative Spellings

      folks-mensh, folks-mentsch, folksmentsh, folksmensh, folksmentsch, folks mentsh, folks mensh, folks mentsch

Notes

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