Jewish English Lexicon

a long life

Used to greet a mourner after someone has died.

a nechtiker tog

Not on your life!

An impossible occurrence

Forget about it!

Whom is he trying to kid?

abi gezunt

"As long as you're healthy [you can be happy]."

acharon acharon chaviv

"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."

ad me'ah v'esrim

[may you/he/she live] "until a hundred and twenty" -- often used as a birthday wish for long life, or when mentioning a person who is getting on in years.

aderaba

certainly, by all means; I certainly don't object

on the contrary

Aibishter

God, lit. "supreme one" or "the one above"

al regel achat

lit. "on one foot"; off-the-cuff; "To answer a question or deal with a query very briefly and cursorily." (Glinert)

aleichem sholom

Peace be upon you. Response to "sholom aleichem"

almemar

the platform on which the Torah is read in synagogue; the bima

alte kaker

elderly person, old-timer [literally "old shitter"] "A crotchety, fussy, ineffectual old man." (Rosten)

alter bocher

a man that is too old not to be married

an old yeshiva student who really should have been married off by now

am haaretz

Bumpkin, ignoramus, uneducated person

Vulgar, boorish person

People of the land

amcha

the every-man, everyday people; the folk (as opposed to the elite)

apikoros

heretic, non-believer, especially one with great knowledge of Judaism

arba kosot

"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).

aroisgevorfene gelt

"a waste of money"; lit., thrown out money.

Ashkenazic

Adjectival form for 'Ashkenazim', "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France, and their descendants" (JPS)

askan

A person who is influential in working for the community

A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)

Activist

Celebration when, traditionally, the groom, and as of recently in egalitarian communities, the engaged couple is called to the Torah the Shabbat before their wedding; that aliyah itself (aufruf means literally "to call up").

avade

Of course. / Obviously!

And how!

averah

religious transgression (Glinert: "An aveirah is an infringement on the Torah, the opposite of a mitzvah.")

azoy

So, thus

Is that so? Really?

So-so

b'emet

"As a matter of fact." (Weiser); "Really?"

b'laz

Abbreviation for "B'loshn am zar", "in a foreign language"; usually used by the commentator Rashi when using a Middle French expression

baal gaavah

"conceited person" (Steinmetz)

"Arrogant person" (Glinert)

babka

"A loaf type coffee cake" (JPS)

bagel

"A leavened, firm, doughnut shaped roll" (JPS)

bageling

Inserting a Jewish phrase or concept into a conversation in order to indicate that one is Jewish or to determine whether the other person is Jewish.

Identifying another person as a Jew.

baitsim

balls, testicles, lit. 'eggs'

balaboosta

1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker

balabos

Male head of a household

Proprietor

balabotish

"Quiet; respectable; well mannered" (Rosten). "middle class"; normal

balagan

"a disorderly, confusing, and/or overwhelming situation" (Glinert)

bashert

Predicate adj. "Predestined, fated" (JPS)

N. Predestined soul mate.

batlan

"An unemployed or lazy man" (Rosten).

"One who consistently wastes time: Bum, Fainéant" (Weiser).

"Someone with intellectual pretensions and half-baked ideas" (Rosten).

"naive, impractical person" (Steinmetz)

"Someone without a trade or regular means of livelihood" (Rosten).

"A misfit, such as a Talmud student of no promise" (Rosten).

"Layabout" (Glinert)

Be well

Closing to a letter or conversation: Take care, be healthy

becher

2-handle cup for ritual washing of the hands before eating

kiddish cup (lit. "goblet")

behema

a boor, an uncouth, unmannered individual

an animal, especially a large one

bekishe

long black coat worn by Hasidic men

bekitzur

"Briefly or concisely: succinctly" (Weiser)

belfer

assistant teacher of children in a Hebrew school or cheyder

ben bayis

frequent guest at someone's home

bench

JPS: "To recite a blessing. It usually refers to Birkat ha-Mazon, the Grace after Meals... The word can also refer to the reciting of any blessing; for example, the expression bentsch licht means to light Shabbat [or Chanukah] candles."

bench gomel

to say the blessing (called Gomel) said after someone survives a life-threatening situation; often recited pro forma after surviving childbirth or trans-oceanic travel

bench licht

(light and) bless candles

bencher

prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs

berya

"Complimentary term for a talented, competent, energetic woman, especially one who gets a lot done - and does it well - around the house." (JPS Dictionary of Words)

besamim

Spices

"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).

"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).

besorot tovot

good tidings, good news

beys hakise

bathroom

bialy

A flat breakfast roll, shaped like a round wading pool, sometimes sprinkled with onion. (Rosten)

A round, crusty chewy bread roll with an indented center well, the bialy is usually topped with toasted onions—and—at its most authentic—with poppy seeds. (JPS)

biberhit

A man's black hat with beaver fur, worn on weekdays.

bichlal

in any way, entirely, in general, altogether

bikur cholim

visiting the sick

bisl

"a little bit of something, a tiny piece" (JPS)

bitachon

security

faith, trust

biz hundert un tsvantsik

[may you/he/she live] "until a hundred and twenty [years]" -- often used as a birthday wish for long life, or when mentioning a person who is getting on in years.

blat

a page of Talmud (equivalent of Hebrew דף daf)

blech

an electric hot plate or "sheet of metal that can be placed over the burners on a stove to retain heat, so that precooked food...can be kept warm during the Sabbath." (JPS)

bli neder

"Literally, 'without vowing', this is added to any casual promise to avoid it being taken as an absolute undertaking." (Glinert)

blintz

A folded thin pancake filled with cheese, fruit, or potatoes.

bochur

young unmarried male, especially a yeshiva student

bodek

also a brand of vegetables that has been checked for insects

check, especially looking for insects that would render produce non-kosher

bokser

The fruit of the carob tree, traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat.

borei nefashos

one of the blessings recited after eating food. Usually if a "Shehakol" blessing would be recited before eating.

borscht

"Borshtsh" is the Russian word for beet soup. Among Jews soup made from beets is considered Polish borshtsh, while Russian borshtsh is made from cabbage.

"An Eastern European soup traditionally made with beets." (JPS)

Borscht Belt

region in the Catskill Mountains with many summer resorts frequented by Jews, especially in the mid twentieth century

boychick

"A young boy...equivalent of the American expression 'buddy'" (JPS)

boydem

attic

bracha

blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)

Breslover

A follower of the Hasidic branch of Judaism that adheres to the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.

bring down

cite or reference

bris

circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.

broch

curse

broiges

a dispute (n)

angry, annoyed (adj.)

bubbale

sweetie, darling [term of endearment]

bubbe

grandmother

bubbe meise

"old wive's tale"; an untrue story, sometimes related to superstition

"Something of little importance, an inconsequential thing or minor happening." (JPS)

bulbenik

One who is inept, clumsy, all thumbs, who fouls things up (Rosten)

An actor "who talks as though he has a potato in his mouth"—that is, an actor who "blows" his lines, mixes them up, commits embarrassing spoonerisms, a malaprop

bulvan

loud mouth know-it-all; "a boorish, brutish person" (Steinmetz)

bupkis

Nothing

Something worthless

busha

"Disgrace" (Glinert), shame, embarrassment

by

at [a location], at the house of, with, among, according to the opinion of, at [an event, time of year] (in addition to Standard English near).

cement mixer

non-Jewish woman

Chabad

an outreach-oriented branch of Hasidic Judaism that follows the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Chabad has thousands of branches around the world, including at many college campuses.

chabadsker

n., a follower of Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., a Lubavitcher Hasid), often pejorative

adj., of or relating to Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., Lubavitcher), often pejorative

chacham

rabbi (Sephardi)

wiseguy

wise, learned person; genius

chalat

A man's silk robe for indoor use, usually on Shabbat or holidays.

chaleria

Plague or cholera (literal or metaphorical)

"wreck," in the phrase "nervous choleria." A person who behaves wildly or badly, such as a mischievous child.

challah

"The braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on almost every Jewish holiday and [the Sabbath]" (JPS)

chap

"to comprehend" (Weiser) (lit. "to grasp")

chas v'chalila

"heaven forbid" (Steinmetz's Yiddish and English dictionary)

chas v'sholom

"heaven forbid" (Glinert)

chashuv

Important; of high status

chassidish

Adhering to Hasidism, a mystical brand of Orthodox Judaism; having traits associated with Hasidim

chassidus

"Chasidism" (Glinert)

chatan

Bridegroom

chatuna

wedding

chaver

comrade, mister (in left-wing political organizations)

friend

chaverim

members, friends

chavruta

learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)

chayav

Guilty of transgressing. Liable.

chazan

The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song. (JPS)

chazer

"go over; review" (Weiser)

chazir

1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)

cheder

Hebrew and religious classes (often on Sundays) for elementary school children.

Chelm

from Yiddish literature/folklore, "The 'legendary' town inhabited by befuddled, stupid, foolish, but endearing people." (JPS). Also a real town in Poland (Chełmno).

cherem

"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)

chesedik

kind

chevra

"society; close-knit group" (Yiddish)

chevreman

"One of the guys" (Glinert)

chidush

innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty

chiyuv

obligation

one who is in mourning and must say Kaddish

chochmah

"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)

cholent

"A slow-cooked stew made of beef, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables. Cholent is a common Sabbath dish..." (JPS)

chrain

A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.

chrein

horseradish

chumradik

stringent, used to imply that a person is making the most strict halachic ruling, or follows additional restrictions in his or her practice

chuppah

"The Jewish wedding canopy; that is, the cloth under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted." (JPS)

wedding ceremony (not including reception)

chush

sense

flair

feeling

chutzpah

nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)

guts (positive)

chutzpahdik

impertinent

Cohen

"A made descendent of the family of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. Aaron and his descendants were consecrated to the service of God... in the Tabernacle... in the desert and later the Holy Temple" (Steinmetz). Often poorly translated as "priest," though the term "Levite" or "Aaronite" is more accurate, especially due to Christian usage (Steinmetz).

collect

gather funds or fundraise for an institution.

dan l'kaf zechus

give the benefit of the doubt

daven

pray; lead services

davka

just to annoy, just to be contrary

even; despite expectations to the contrary -- often with a slightly amused or ironic feeling of "wouldn't you know it?" or "of all things" ("of all people" ... etc.)

"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)

derech eretz

Participating in modern society.

"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.

doikayt

hereness

diasporism

"strengthening Jewish communities wherever they live" (https://www.mycause.com.au/page/204399/hillels-bar-mitzveh)

drash

n. sermon, interpretation of text

v. give a sermon, discuss an interpretation of the text

drasha

"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)

dreck

"Trash, junk, garbage; cheap or worthlesss things." (Rosten), sh*t

dreidel

"A small, four-sided spinning top used in a game during Chanukah" (JPS); the top itself

duchen

A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.

dugma

example

dveykus

spiritual ecstasy; lit. "cleaving"

dybbuk

a spirit, "often thought to be the soul of a dead person, that wanders the earth looking for a living body to inhabit" (JPS)

einikel

grandchild

emesdik

"Truthful, genuine" (Steinmetz)

"As a matter of fact: Genuinely" (Weiser)

emunah

"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world

erlech

honest, legitimate

religious

es gezunterheyt

Eat in good health, similar to bon appétit

es shtayt geshribn

"It is written."

ess

Eat

eyer kichlech

Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.

farbissiner

n. sourpuss, mean person

adj. embittered, sullen, mean

farblondzhet

Rosten: "Lost...mixed up, wandering about without any idea of where you are." Can refer to being physically or intellectually lost.

farbrengen

Verb: to hold such a gathering or celebration.

Noun: a gathering or celebration that includes a spiritual or religious component.

farbrente

fiery, devout, fervent [lit. 'burning']

farchadat

"Dizzy, confused, dopey, 'punchy.'" (Rosten)

"Having a headache." (Rosten)

"Smitten, charmed, beguiled." (Rosten)

"Surprised, stunned, shocked." (Rosten)

"Confused, distracted, mixed up." (JPS)

"confused; dazed; stunned" (Steinmetz)

farfel

noodle pellets

a side dish including bits of noodle, often sauteed with vegetables and beef or chicken stock

farfufket

befuddled, taken aback, disoriented, confused

farher

noun: an oral examination, typically on one's understanding of Talmud

verb: examine, test, quiz

faribel

to have a grievance, to be aggrieved

grievance

farkakte

"lousy, messed up, ridiculous" (JPS) Shitty, full of crap.

farmisht

mixed up, confused, crazy

farshteyst? (farshteyt)

literally 'do you understand?'

farshtunken(e)

literally 'stinking' (Rosten); contemptible

fartootst

"The state of being bewildered, disoriented, discombobulated; slightly more intense than tsedrayt." (Rosten)

feh!

an expression of disgust; "portraying...negative feelings" (Rosten)

feigele

Gay man

fershnickered

Drunk, intoxicated, extremely drunk

FFB

Short for "frum from birth." Refers to someone who grew up in a religious home, the opposite of a BT (ba'al teshuvah) who became religious as an adult.

FFT

'Frum from Tuesday' - a satire on 'FFB'. Denotes a very recent BT, usually someone who has not mastered the rituals / social cues of Orthodox practice.

fleishig

"The general term for food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws" (JPS)

flik

pluck feathers (e.g., from a chicken)

fluden

log-shaped pastry stuffed with apricot preserves, chopped dates, walnuts, and raisins

forshpayz

"appetizers" (JPS)

forshpil

An Ashkenazi custom of entertaining the bride on the Sabbath afternoon or evening preceding the wedding.

frei

(with the particle "out") to become non-religious, "go off the derekh"

free; liberal, non-religious, the opposite of frum

freilach

adj: happy, merry

noun: (frailach or freylekhs) a lively song/dance performed at simchas

fress

To gobble up food; to gorge oneself. "To eat quickly or noisily, like an animal" (JPS)

fresser

big eater, "pig". "A heavy eater." (JPS)

from your mouth to God's ears

response to a good wish or blessing that mentions future events: I want that to happen, but I'm not sure it will.

frosk

a slap

frum

religious; observant; Orthodox

futz

waste time (usually "futz around")

tinker with; make small changes

gam zu l'toyve

"This too is for the best."

gantseh

entire, complete

gartel

belt, which varies in width, but is worn over the outside of the pants or coat and often tied in a symbolic way, as to differentiate it from a regular belt. It is primarily used by Chassidic Jews (and a growing number of Litvaks) for prayer, or may be used for everyday wear over a long frock coat. It symbolically differentiates the heart from the loins.

gayve

pride; arrogance; obnoxiousness

gebrokts

(2) People who hold by the stringency against eating wetted matzah.

(1) Matzah that is mixed with liquid during cooking; avoided by scrupulously observant because of the possibility that unbaked flour in the matzah could be exposed to the liquid and thereby become chametz, forbidden during Passover.

gedolim

Important, influential people, especially renowned rabbis of the present or recent past. Luminaries (Weiser)

Secondary usage: feces or excrement.

geferlech

Dangerous, terrible

gefilte fish

minced sweet or sour fish, cooked in balls or a log and sliced. [lit., "stuffed fish"(JPS), since the chopped fish used to be placed back in the fish for cooking.]

gefrunzled

slighted, insulted, feeling unappreciated

gelt

Money (slang usage)

"The foil wrapped chocolate coins that are a traditional Hanukkah treat for children." (JPS)

gemara

"A compilation of 300 years of rabbis' legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah...together, the Gemara and the Mishnah comprise the Talmud." (JPS)

genosn oyfn emes

Sneezed on the truth, the sneeze confirms the truth.

genug

enough

geschrei

yell, shout

gesheft

business

geshmak

delicious, delightful

Geshmir

The entirety, all.

geulah

redemption

gevald

an interjection of alarm

gey avek

"Go away!"

gey schluffen

Go to sleep!

geza

n. good lineage, adj. having good lineage. people from the right families that go back generations within a given Orthodox community

gezinta

a big healthy girl (or the adjective denoting such)

a sexy lady

gezunt

adj. healthy

n. health

gezunterheyt

lit., while in good health

"Fine, go ahead" (ironic).

ghattis

derogatory term for working-class or boorish Afrikaaner person

glatt

Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.

Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).

glitch

flaw; slight problem in a process

golem

"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)

golus

literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)

gonif

thief

good Shabbos

Literally, "Good Sabbath" (JPS); standard Sabbath greeting

good yom-tov

standard holiday greeting

gorgel

neck, throat (generally of poultry)

goy

"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)

a nation, but not the Jewish nation

goyish

"in the manner or style of a non-Jewish person" (JPS), especially something WASPy or "white bread"

goyishe kop

Someone who fails to use his/her head; a dull mind. Someone who thinks like a non-Jew. Lit. "non-Jewish head."

goyte

non-Jewish woman, especially domestic worker

gradeh

as an aside, parenthetically; "it so happens that"

in reality, as a matter of fact

grager

a noise maker used on Purim to drown out the name of Haman; something that makes a lot of noise

gramen

rhymes; especially a rhyming poem or song

gribines

Deep-fried skin of chicken or goose, often prepared with onion and schmatlz. Also called cracklings.

grizhidiker

nagging, annoying person

gurnisht

"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)

gut chodesh

"Good month!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Chodesh.

gut moed

"Good festival season!" Used by Ashkenazim on Chol Hamoed.

Gut Morgen

"Good morning!"

gut voch

"Good week!" Ashkenazi greeting at the conclusion of the Sabbath.

gut yontef

"Happy holiday!" Ashkenazi greeting used on any of the holidays, including Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur.

gut yor

"Good year!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

haftorah

"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)

Hak mir nisht keyn tshaynik

Literally, don't knock a teakettle at me

Stop annoying me

Don't bother me

halacha

"Jewish law" (JPS)

halevai

"Would that it be so" (Steinmetz, Yiddish and English)

I wish!

If only

hamentaschen

"Small, triangular-shaped cookies filled with fruit or jam that are eaten on Purim" (JPS)

handl

to bargain, do business

hashpa'ah

motivating force, source for change in one's actions, influence

influence, or effect, particularly on one's character, development, and/or behavior

Hasid

A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).

Pious person

A disciple of a rabbi, not only a member of a Hasidic group.

Adherent of a Hasidic Jewish group ("A mystical religious movement founded in Poland" (JPS)

hazarai

treyf (non-kosher) food

junk food

"Junk, trash" (Rosten)

hefker

running wild, undisciplined

ownerless

heicha kedusha

abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah

heimish

3. at home, comfortable

1. familiar, homey, informal, cozy, warm

2. Haredi Orthodox

helzel

chicken neck, poultry neck, stuffed poultry neck, the skin around the chicken's neck which is then stuffed

hock

"to bother incessantly: ANNOY" (Weiser)

hold

to be on the verge of

to opine; to act in accordance with; to be of the opinion; to believe "maintain" (Weiser)

to maintain a degree of religious observance

agree with

holishkes

Sweet-and-sour cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground meat.

hoo-ha

interjection of admiration or astonishment

vagina

hullabaloo, commotion

I wish you well to wear it

A saying uttered on seeing a friend or relative wearing a new garment or accessory. It is value-neutral, not implying that the garment is nice, just that it is new.

im yirtzeh hashem

if God wills it, God willing (used when making plans for or describing the future)

Itchy

Ashkenazi Jew

iyun

study, "examination of sources to develop a coherent, educated opinion" (Weiser)

Jewishness

Ethnic or cultural Jewish identity, as distinct from "Judaism"

The quality of being a Jew, not limited to (nor necessarily excluding) religion, ethnicity, biology, or nationality.

kaboles ponem

the reception before a wedding ceremony, consisting of a tish (for men) and a bedeken (for women). Lit. 'receiving the faces'.

kaddishl

A son who will say kaddish for a parent (literally, "little kaddish").

kaftan

A man's long black overcoat.

Kahal

(the people of) a Jewish community

Synagogue, shul, congregation

kalike

1. Cripple 2. Someone who is sickly 3. A clumsy person 4. A stupid ignorant man 5. An inept performer, a singer off-key, a pianist who hits the wrong notes, a waiter who spills the soup.

kallah

Jewish communal gathering, conference

bride

kapote

long black coat worn by Hasidic men

kasha

buckwheat groats, commonly served with bowtie noodles ('kasha varnishkes'); porridge

kasha varnishkes

kasha (buckwheat groats) with bowtie noodles

kashe

A question posing some difficulty because of apparent inconsistencies with accepted premises: problem. A tough, perplexing question.

Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.

katschke

a duck

kavanah

"Attention to the meaning, spirit, and purpose of words" (Weiser)

intent

kedai

"worth it" (Weiser)

kehillah

"A Jewish community" (JPS)

keinehora

"no evil eye" (Rosten). "An expression said to ward off the evil eye or bad luck in general; the verbal equivalent of knocking on wood." (JPS)

keppele

head (smaller or cuter, often used in child-directed speech)

keppy

head, little head (informal, diminutive, often in child-directed speech)

ketzeleh

little kitten, can be used as a term of endearment

khamer

jackass, donkey

khnyok

a mean or bigoted person

a sanctimonious, holier-than-thou religious person

an unkempt or slovenly person

khremzl

"A fried fritter or latke, made of matzah meal and eggs, that may be stuffed with ground meat, nuts, or fruit. An old-fashioned Pesach recipe." (JPS Dictionary)

khurbn

"Destruction of the Temple" (Glinert)

Destruction, generally

the Holocaust

kibbitz

"To socialize aimlessly...To carry on a running commentary" (Rosten)

kibbitzer

Someone who "gives unasked-for advice ... especially as a bystander-observer at a game (bridge, poker, checkers, chess)." (Rosten)

Someone who jokes, fools around.

kichel

small cookie or biscuit

cookies (plural)

kimat

"almost or nearly" (Weiser)

kimmel

"kimmel bread" is rye bread with caraway seeds on top

kinder

"children" (Rosten)

kishka

"Stuffed derma: a sausagelike comestible of meat, flour, and spices stuffed into intestine casing and baked" (Rosten) Also, "guts," literally, Slavic. (Wikipedia)

kishkas

Intestines, gut

kitke

braided egg-bread eaten on the Sabbath (known as challah elsewhere)

kittel

hite robe that is worn by religious Jews on Yom Kippur, when leading High Holiday services, when leading a Passover seder, by grooms at weddings, and as a burial shroud

kivyakhol

Substitute or euphemism for God's name, similar to Hashem

"As if", "so to speak," can be used to refer to anthropomorphic language about God

klafte

a naughty or nasty woman; a bitch

klezmer

"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)

klug

curse, but not a severe one

klutz

"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)

knaidel

matzah ball; "a dumpling made of matzah meal meal and beaten eggs, usually served in chicken broth, often at the Pesach seder" (JPS)

knish

Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients

kochleffel

A cooking spoon, as for soup. By extension, a person who stirs up trouble; meddler, busybody.

koppel

skullcap, kippah, yarmulke

kosher

"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws

kosher chazer fissel

One who appears to be religious, but is in fact, not, either wholly or in part; religious in appearance, non-religious in essence.

koved

"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)

Kratsmach

Tongue-in-cheek way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ.

kreplach

(meat-) stuffed dumplings usually served in soup; Jewish wontons

krotzer

One who is confused, literally "scratching their head"

krovim

relatives

krum

lit. "crooked"; used by Yeshivish speakers to denote views ("hashkafos") that do not fall entirely within the bounds of traditional Orthodox thought

kugel

Baked pudding or casserole made with eggs and various ingredients, including noodles, potatoes, or spinach

The South African equivalent of a "Jewish American Princess"

kumzits

sing-along; campfire gathering with singing

kuntz

feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity

peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)

strategy (Weiser)

kurveh

(profane) whore, slut, bitch

kvater

one of the people honored to hold the baby at a circumcision ceremony; godfather

kvell

feel or express pride, "to be extraordinarily pleased" (JPS)

kvetch

"to chronically complain or gripe to others over minor issues" (JPS)

l'chaim

traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]

l'hachis

spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"

l'havdil

to make a distinction (between two very different things)

lamden

a proficient Talmudic scholar

landsman

Someone who comes from the same or nearby hometown, especially if one or both of you no longer lives there and all the more so if one or both now live far away from home, in which case an entire region (e.g., metro NY) or country e.g., Poland) may be the point of connection.

lapa

An animal's paw, dirty hands, especially that of a child or a lascivious man.

lashon hara

"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)

latka

"a potato pancake [fried in oil traditionally eaten on Chanukah]" (Rosten)

learn

"To be involved in the acquisition of Torah knowledge through reading and reflection, or to do so as an occupation: STUDY" (Weiser)

leibedik

lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt

leichter

a small candle holder used to light the Sabbath candles, or the candelabrum itself

lekech

"Honey cake, traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah... made with honey, eggs, cinnamon, and, often, coffee" (JPS).

levaye

funeral

leyn

to chant torah, haftarah or megillah

ligner

liar

linker

leftist, socialist, secularist

Litvish

"Lithuanian"; associated with the rational, intellectual culture of Lithuanian Jewry; Yeshivish

lobbus

a young mischievous person with a lot of chutzpah

a rascal, mischievous or cheeky child (usually a boy)

lokh in cup

"hole in the head" (Rosten)

lokshen

noodles

loshn

language; jargon

lox

smoked salmon

luftmensch

"an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income" (Merriam-Webster)

maarich

to extend, talk/write at length

mabul

the Biblical Flood

a deluge; a torrent of rain

macher

"1. Someone who arranges, fixes, has connections...someone who is [very] active in an organization" (Rosten) "important person", "hot shot"

machloket

disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue

machmir

stringent, "taking the stricter position on an issue" (Weiser)

meticulous

madrega

level, especially spiritual level

maidel

girl

make

To urinate or defecate

malshin

noun: One who slanders, especially one who turns over a Jew to non-Jewish authorities; informer, stool pigeon, snitch

verb: To slander, malign, speak loshon hara about somebody.

mamaleh

diminutive term for a young girl [lit. 'little mama']

mamaliga

A Romanian-Jewish dish of thick cornmeal mush.

mame-loshn

"mother tongue", usually refers to Yiddish

mamish

"1. As though true to fact...2. Surely or certainly...3. Actually, genuinely...4. To a high degree...5. Enthusiastic response: WOW." (Weiser)

mamzer

bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)

mandelbrot

"Literally, 'almond bread.' A crunchy, dry cookie, similar to biscotti" (JPS).

Manischewitz

sweet brand of wine often used by American Jews for ritual purposes

matzah brei

fried matzah pieces mixed with eggs, usually eaten on Passover

matzav

situation

political, military situation in Israel/the Middle East

matzeivah

headstone

matzliach

"To thrive: Prosper" (Weiser)

"Accomplishing a mission or an attempt: Successful" (Weiser)

maven

"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)

mayim achronim

ritual hand-washing before saying the prayer after a meal

mayofes

a servile person (see note below)

mazel

congratulations

luck (good)

mazel tov

congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]

mazik

a mischievous person, often a child

(with verb "to be") to ruin partially; damage (Yeshivish usage)

mazume

"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).

"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)

meaty

Food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws

mechaye

"Pleasure, enjoyment, a real joy" (Rosten); something that gives great joy

mechula

broke, bust, bankrupt, spoiled

mechuten

the father of one's child's spouse, though can sometimes be used to refer to the grandfather of one's grandchild's spouse.

In laws, more generally (http://www.pass.to/glossary/gloz2.htm#letm).

mechuteneste

the mother of one's child's spouse

megillah

one of the five books that compose kethuvim--writings--in Tanakh; can also refer to the physical scroll on which one is written; a long, engrossing story or description

mekarev

Literally "bring closer", used in the sense of bringing closer to traditional Judaism A noun for one who brings people closer to traditional Judaism.

mekayam

to fulfill an obligation

mekayim

to fulfill, perform, carry out, realize (e.g., a great mitzvah, prophecy, goal)

mekhuleh

bankrupt

mensch

"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)

meorer

to arouse an inappropriate impulse

mesameach

to gladden another person

meshichist

someone who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe of Chabad Hasidism, is the Messiah

meshuga

crazy

mevater

to nullify one's desires for the good of others

mezakeh

to acquire; strengthen

middos

character traits (singular: "middah")

mieskeit

someone/something ugly

ugliness

milchig

"...food in the "dairy" category, according to the Jewish dietary laws...also refers to the utensils and dishes used for cooking, eating, and serving milk products." (JPS)

milky

Dairy

mishegoss

"Foolishness, nonsense, craziness." (JPS)

mishpacha

"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)

moserim

informers

moshl

parable, example

mutche

harass, torment, bother, annoy, nag

(obsolete) to struggle financially

naches

"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)

nafke mine

practical difference

narishkeit

"1. Foolishness 2. A triviality" (Rosten)

nebach

interjection, adverb: "unfortunately"; noun: an unfortunate person

nebbish

noun: nerdy, clumsy, awkward person. "An innocuous, ineffectual, weak, helpless, or hapless unfortunate" (Rosten)

negel vasser

literally "nail water"; refers to the practice of washing ones hands immediately after waking

neshama

soul

nicht shabbos geret

Not to speak of on Shabbat (used when a subject is not suitable for the Holy Shabbat, primarily business and money manners, to indicate that one shouldn't discuss it). Usually followed by a short comment about the "forbidden" subject.

nifter

deceased

nigun

"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)

nisayon

trial and tribulation; a test of faith

Nisht do gedacht

Exclamation, It shouldn't happen.

nishtikeit

a nobody

nittel nacht

Christmas Eve

no-goodnik

bad person, scoundrel (sometimes humorous or affectionate)

noch

still, yet, moreover

noodge

verb: bore, pester, nag

noun: pest, whiner

nosh

to snack or eat; a snack

nosherai

snacks

nu

so what?; so?; hurry up already

nudnik

"A pest, a nag, an annoyer, a monumental bore." (Rosten)

oilam

the world; the public

a group of people

oirik

Derogatory reference to a non-Jewish male, especially a common labourer

okh un vey

"a pity on him"

an unenviable position

olav ha-sholom

"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased

on one foot

translation of Hebrew "al regel achat" or Yiddish "af eyn fus": off-the-cuff; quick, quickly, quick answer (from a Talmudic story about Rabbi Hillel summarizing the Torah to a potential convert while standing on one foot)

ongeblozzen

puffed-up; haughty; conceited

pouting (can have a sense of about to cry)

ongepotchket

overly elaborate, excessively decorated, slapped together senselessly, overdone, tacky, ostentatious, overcomplicated.

"Excessively and unaesthetically decorated; overly baroque." (Rosten)

ongeshnosket

inebriated, drunk

orel

non-Jew (contemptuous, pejorative).

oso ha-Ish

literally "that man", an irreverent/euphemistic reference to Jesus of Nazereth

oy

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

oy vey

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

oy vey iz mir

woe is me

oysgeputst

dressed-up, decked out in finery (Steinmetz), overembellished.

pachech

a complainer

parnasa

livelihood, income

parve

1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic

pasken

to rule halachically

pastrami

Smoked, seasoned deli meat

patsh

a smack (playful)

to give a light slap

patshke

"1. To fuss or "mess around" inefficiently and inexpertly. 2. To dawdle, to waste time." (Rosten)

patur

not liable, exempt

payos

Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.

pekel

little bundle

Peruvian

an unsavoury character

pesadik

"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for Passover.

petcha

Calves' foot jelly or jellied chicken served with garlic and spices as an appetizer.

pintele yid

"essential Jewishness"

pirog

(pl. pirogen, pirogn) A small dumpling filed with meat or vegetables.

pish

urinate

urine

pishachs

(vulgar) urine, piss

pisher, little pisher

a diminutive that combines amusement, admiration and annoyance

pisk

(vulgar) snout, grimace (Steinmetz)

Colloquialism: an eloquent or garrulous speaker. (Rosten)

mouth, loud-mouth, similar to English slang "trap" for mouth.

pitseleh

little one, dear

pizza bagel

A person of (non-Jewish) Italian and Jewish descent.

pletzl

"A thin, flat, crisp roll, often garnished with poppy seeds or onion" (Rosten)

plotz

"1. To split, to burst, to explode. 2. " To be aggravated beyond bearing" (Rosten) [lit. "to explode"]

polkeys

thighs (esp. of a chicken or baby)

poshet

simple

posl

invalid

prakes

Stuffed cabbage, also known by holiptshes, goluptshes, and golomkes, among other names

pritse

an immodest woman

pritsus

immoral behavior

prost

coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common

pshetl

subtle or hair-splitting argument about a Jewish text

dvar torah (Orthodox)

pshh

exclamation of respect

punim

face

pupik

Navel, belly button

pushke

"The little container...in which money to be donated to charity is accumulated." (Rosten)

putz

"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]

putzing, putzed

wasting time [offensive]

rachmones

mercy, pity, empathy

reb

"sir"; "mister"

rebbe

the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect

rebbeyish

pertaining to the Hasidic rebbe

rebetzin

wife of a rabbi

reckel

long black coat worn by Yeshivish men

refua shlema

"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"

reid

n. "unofficial information spread through the grapevine" (Weiser), especially information related to Talmud study

v. refer someone for a marriage match; pronounce a match

n. speech, talk

rugelach

"Bite-size crescent-shaped pastries, rolled around a variety of fillings, including chopped raisins and walnuts, apple, raspberry, [chocolate] or mun, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar" (JPS)

savtadik

(1) something that reminds one favorably of one's savfta (grandmother); (2) something that meets with savta's approval

schav

A cold cream-of-sorrel soup.

schlemiel

idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)

schlep

To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to

An annoyingly long journey

"To carry, lug" (JPS)

schlimazel

Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings

schlissel

key

schlong

a penis

schmaltz

"Rendered chicken fat." (JPS)

schmaltzy

"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)

schmatta

rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment

schmear

to spread; cream cheese

schmegege

"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)

"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)

"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).

schmo

a fool; a jerk

schmonzes

small pieces of valueless decorative bric-a-brac

idle talk

schmooze

to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up

schnapps

"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)

schnoder

"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).

schnorr

to beg, to request money

to get something for free, to mooch

schnorrer

a begger, a parasite. "A moocher" (JPS)

schvitz

sweat (v., n.)

steam bath (n.)

sechel

"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence

sefer

"A literary composition written particularly of, on, or about the Torah" (Weiser)

Hebrew or Aramaic book

seforim

Religious books written in Hebrew or Aramaic.

segula

Folk remedy, safeguard, superstitious action, talisman

divinely bestowed reward as a result of an individual's participation in a minhag or mitzvah

"procedure that is not based on medical or scientific logic yet is efficacious in improving a situation or protecting a person from harm" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segula_(Kabbalah))

Shabbos

the Jewish Sabbath

Shabbos goy

"A non-Jew who by prearrangement performs chores [that are forbidden] for a Jew on the Sabbath or holidays." (Steinmetz)

shadchen

matchmaker

shaila

a question, usually while looking for a halachic ruling

shaina maidel

pretty girl

well-behaved girl (female equivalent of mensch, which is sometimes used just for males but is often used for males and females)

shalech manes

Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.

shaloshudes

the traditional third meal of the sabbath, eaten saturday afternoon or evening beginning before the sabbath has ended. [lit. "three meals"]

shamash

2. the caretaker of a synagogue.

3. personal assistant / aide / gofer, especially to a rabbi or in the Hollywood entertainment industry

1. candle lit first and then used to light other hanukah candles

shanda

"Scandal, shame." (JPS)

Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.

Shayach

Pertinent, relevant (Steinmetz).

1. Capable of being true or believable: Conceivable. / 2. Capable of being done: Surmountable / 3. Practical, reasonable, or possible: Feasible. (Weiser)

shayna punim

pretty face

shecht

to slaughter meat according to the rituals of kashrut

shefele

sweety, Lit. "lamb"

sheitel

wig; worn by some observant jewish women after marriage. "A wig worn by strictly Orthodox...women as a [hair] covering." (Steinberg)

Shemoneh Esrei

another name for the Amida, the central prayer during Jewish services. [lit. 'eighteen', the number of blessings it originally had]

sheygets

"1. A non-Jewish boy. 2. An impudent youth or man. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jew. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)

sheymes

n., such content

adj., of or relating to printed material, such as a book or even an audio recording, that contains the name of God, and therefore must not be erased, put on the floor, etc., out of respect for the Divine Name

shicker

tipsy/drunk

shidduch

a date or match, often leading to marriage. "The matching up of a man and a woman for purposes of marriage; a match. In popular usage, any match or alliance, as in The shidduch between the two organization was a success." (Steinberg)

shidduch

a date in the process of finding one's spouse

mate

arranged spousal match

match

shiksa

"1. A non-Jewish girl. 2. A housemaid. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jewish girl. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)

shissel

A large bowl, especially for mixing

A small washtub.

shkotz

berating term for a mischievous Jewish boy

shleger

Bully, violent person

shlock

something cheap or inferior. "A shoddy, cheaply made article." (Rosten)

shlogn kapores

to make oneself feel guilty.

the custom of symbolically transferring one's sins to a chicken (or coins) before Yom Kippur, done by moving the chicken (or coins) in a circle around one's head.

shluffy

[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)

shlug up

to "shlug (someone) up" is to annihilate his argument, typically in such fashion as to demonstrate a superiority of knowledge

shlump

an unkempt person, a loser

shmais

a Lubavitch news website: http://shmais.com/

Whack, wallop, smack

shmeckel

irritating, or contemptible behavior

little penis

shmecky

affectionate term used to describe a child, often connoting silly or slightly naughty behavior

child-appropriate word for penis

shmendrik

jerk, stupid person

shmuck

annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)

shmutz

"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)

shnook

"An incompetent person who is deserving of pity but also likable" (JPS); "A customer easily persuaded, a sucker." (H.L. Mencken, American Language)

shnoz

"A nose, especially a large, unattractive one." (JPS)

shomer

a camp counselor on duty

one who keeps vigil over a dead body before it is buried

adj. observant, observing the laws of kosher, shabbat, or negiya (not touching members of the opposite gender outside of family)

a member of Hashomer Hatzair or a camper or counselor at a Hashomer Hatzair camp

a chaperone, protector, or guard

shpatzir

literally 'to walk, take a stroll'; figuratively 'to delay, tarry, procrastinate'

shpilkes

nervous energy, anxiousness, restlessness. Lit. 'pins'

shpitz

top or extreme part

the ultimate, the best of, "cool"

typical, classic, a perfect example of; definitively

shpritz

(n., v.) spray; squirt

soda drink

shtadlan

an elected or self-appointed Jewish emissary pleading the cause of his people before the authorities

an intercessor

shtark

Adj: religiously intense. Literally "strong," generally used in reference to someone more religious than the speaker

Verb: "shtark out" - to identify oneself closer to the Black Hat end of the Modern Orthodox to Black Hat continuum, in comparison to one's previous location on that continuum.

shtarker

a strong, stout fellow

thug

big shot, an arrogant person

Shtati

Cool, modern, cosmopolitan.

shteig

strive; study; lit. "rise"

shtender

lectern

shtetl

"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)

shtick

"Overused actions or behavior." (JPS)

Comedy routine.

Performances and silly behavior at weddings, intended to entertain the bride and groom.

Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.

shtickle

designation of second-class status, when applied to rabbis or other professionals.

a small amount; a little; a bit of (a)

shtim

(often with preposition "with") to jibe, gel, concur, harmonize; without prep., equivalent to colloquial English "to add up; make sense"

shtrayml

A hat trimmed with fur pieces, typically worn by Hassidim on Shabbat.

shtum

quiet, voiceless, mute

shtummer

quiet person, not much to say for themselves

shtunk

stinker, nasty person, smelly person, nickname for a smelly baby.

shtup

verb, have sexual intercourse

noun, the act of sexual intercourse

shtus

nonsense

shuckle

Literally, "to shake", to sway back and forth during prayer

shul

synagogue

shvach

weak, pathetic, (a place or gathering that is) lacking in activity

shvantz

tail

very rude man, lowlife, snitch

penis, dick

shvartsa

black person, [lit. "black"]. Often considered offensive in English.

shver

difficult, onerous, complex

sidra

weekly Torah portion

simcha

"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event

slivovitz

plum brandy, often consumed on passover because it doesn't contain fermented grains.

snag

Misnaged (non-Hasidic Orthodox Jew)

spiel

play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)

spodik

fur hat, similar to but taller (more cylindrical) than a shtreimel, worn by certain Chassidic groups

stam

Just kidding!

That's it!

only, simply, just for fun, not for a specific purpose

strudel

A pastry made by rolling up a thin sheet of dough with a fruit or cheese filling and baking it.

svara

guess, hypothesis

justification, reason, plausible explanation

svive

environment, surroundings

group or get-together

tachlis

purpose, aim

practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")

taka

(can also be used ironically)

Is that so? Really, actually, indeed, "in consideration of all the information available" (Weiser)

tam

taste

tatala

"'Little papa.' A term of endearment for a little boy. Old-fashioned usage." (Eisenberg)

tate

dad

tchotchke

trinket, knicknack

teiglach

a confection of dough balls dipped in honey/syrup and eaten at Rosh Hashanah

teiku

An unanswered question.

The question remains unanswered.

tell over

to repeat or teach a story heard elsewhere

tepple

a pot or a pan

a bedpan

teva

nature

character (quality of a person or thing)

tichel

headscarf worn by Orthodox women

tisch

a festive friday night gathering, often involving alcohol and singing [lit. "table"]. in hasidic circles, the rebbe often hosts a tisch with hundreds of hasidim at which he shares his teachings.

toivel

to immerse dishes in a ritual bath (mikvah) to render them usable in a kosher kitchen

treif

(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws

trop

Series of traditional chanting/melodic patterns used in reading the Torah and other books of the Tanakh in communal prayer services.

Diacritic-like marks in printed editions of the Tanakh (and the tikkun, a book that enables people to learn to chant from the Torah, haftarah, etc.) that indicate the chanting/melodic pattern to be used with each word.

truntor

old broken down car/ jalopy

tsedreyt

mixed up, twisted, distorted, turned around

tsekrochen

slovenly, [feeling] feeble or fragile, usually owing to minor illness or a night of excess.

tseloznik

a cute, mischievous child

a spoiled child

tsemisht

mixed-up, confused

tsibur

The public.

The (Jewish) community.

A prayer group.

tsniusdik

modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction

tsorris

"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)

tsu gezunt

a response after another person sneezes (analogous to "bless you")

tsvuak

hypocrite

tuches

buttocks

tuches afn tisch

lay your cards on the table [lit. "backside on the table"]

tumler

"A funmaker, a 'live wire,' a clown, a prankster, the 'life of the party." (Rosten)

tuna bagel

a person (usually a young, Hasidic man) who appears to be religious but is in part or in whole not observant; OR who is observant and wears Hasidic garb, but otherwise behaves like non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews

tush

buttocks

tzadik

Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).

Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.

A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).

tzimmes

"Troubles, difficulties, a contretemps" (Rosten).

"A prolonged procedure, and involved business, a mix-up" (Rosten).

"A sweet, baked dish of vegetables or fruit. Carrot tzimmes, a popular version, includes carrots, sweet potatoes, dried apricots, raisins, sugar, and cinnamon" (JPS).