luftgescheft

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Pronunciations

luftgescheft (LUUFT-guh-SHEHFT)

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Definitions

  • n. An unstable business; an unproductive profession.

Example Sentences

  • "He does luftgescheft since he does art for work."

  • "The bus he drives is luftgescheft; it runs on air."

  • "From an ideological perspective, rural productive life was glorified, while the urban luftgescheft (a derogatory Yiddish designation for ‘non-productive’ livelihoods, such as commerce) was constantly criticized." (Of Other Cinematic Spaces: Urban Zionism in Early Hebrew Cinema by Hizky Shoham)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • לופטגעשעפט luftgescheft, lit. 'air business'

      • Who Uses This

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

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • None

      Alternative Spellings

      luftgeschaeft, luftgescheft, luftgesheft, luftgeshaeft

Notes

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