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31 Yiddish Words and Phrases in English and Hebrew

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There are a number of Yiddish words that have made their way into both modern Hebrew and English. Often speakers are unaware of the Yiddish origin of these terms. Below is a glossary of the most commonly used Yiddish words and phrases in both English and Hebrew. See how many you already know!

Glossary of Yiddish Words and Phrases in English and Hebrew

Balaboosta

בעל־הביתטע

a term of endearment which literally means “good homemaker.”

Bubbe

באבע

A grandmother

chotchkeh

טשאטשקע

bauble, Knick-knack, little toy
Chutzpah

חוצפה

Brash, opinionated
Drek

דרעק

Worthless thing
Ichseh

איכצע

Yuck
Klip

קליפ

Talkative woman
Klutz 

קלאָץ

A clumsy person
Kolboynick

כלביוניק

Know-it-all
Kvell

קוועל

To experience pride in someone else, typically one’s children,
Kvetch

קוועטש

To complain, whine or fret
Mammale

מאמעלע

Term of endearment to a female
Mensch

מענטש

Good person
Meshugena

משוגענא

Crazy woman
Meshugener

משוגענער

Crazy man
Nosh 

נאש

A snack, also To eat or nibble

Putz

פּאץ

A foolish, stupid person

Schlep

שלעפ

To drag something heavy or to go somewhere with great effort or reluctantly
Schmoe

שמו

Naive, a little stupid
Schtick

שטיק

A routine or gimmick
Shaigetz

שײגעץ

Non-Jewish Male; use as insult
Shande

שאנדע

A scandal, embarrassment
Shiksa

שיקסע

Non-Jewish Female; used as insult
Shmatte

שמאטע

A rag or old garment
Shmendrik

שמענדריק

Jerk

Shmuck

שמאק

A jerk

Shushkeh

שושקע

A whisper
Yenta

יענטע

a woman who loves to gossip; a busybody
Yutzi

יוצי

Stupid

Zaide

זיידע

Gandfather

Zissele

זיסאלע

 term of endearment; literally sweetie

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