tsitser

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Definitions

  • n. A habitual bystander or sympathizer, as opposed to a participant.

  • n. Someone who gives unsolicited advice, especially when accompanied by a "tsk" sound.

Example Sentences

  • "A tsitser, they say, is of the lower class who must sit begind the kibitzers and are not permitted to speak out with criticism. They may, however, voice their disapproval with ts, ts, ts, ts." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish
  • English

Etymology

  • ציצער tsitser, onomatopoetic, based on the sound 'tsk' + Yiddish suffix ־ער '-er' meaning 'one who does something'

      • 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

      tzitzer

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