Inspiring twists and turns of language

Which borrowed word from Yiddish means to converse or chat informally?

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In modern English, around half of all words are borrowed from other languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and even Yiddish. A few terms from this Germanic language, written in the Hebrew alphabet, have made their way into the American vocabulary by descendants of Yiddish-speaking immigrants who couldn’t find any English words to better describe what they were trying to express. Did you know that maven, glitch, and lox have Yiddish origins? Join us to discover 10 amazing words derived from Yiddish!

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Quite a few words that start with schm– have been adopted into English from Yiddish, and schmooze is one of the most popular. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, schmooze means to converse or chat informally. The term comes from the Yiddish word schmues ("talk") which in turn derives from the Hebrew shěmu’ōth ("news" or "rumor").

Although originally this Americanism dating back to 1895-1900 only meant to chat idly or to gossip, over time it acquired a new, somewhat more negative meaning. Today, when we say that someone is schmoozing, we mean that they are engaging in conversation in a persuasive manner to gain something in return.

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Well, this one is a no-brainer. Of course, the word bagel comes from Yiddish! Originally spelled beigel in the earliest written English records, the term derives from the Yiddish term beygl or beygel. In turn, this word originates from the Old German bēag ("ring or bracelet").

The exact origin of this exquisite ring-shaped bread roll is unknown, but it is believed to have its roots in central Europe. In a document from 1610, which contains the rules of the Jewish community of Cracow, they are mentioned in Yiddish. Although today bagels are a staple of New York cuisine, the truth is that we have Jewish immigrants to thank for introducing them to our country in the late 19th century.

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There's no bagel without some cured or smoked fish to go with it. As expected, the word lox also derives from Yiddish, specifically from the term laks, which in turn comes from the old German lahs, meaning "salmon."

The earliest known use of the noun lox in English dates back to the 1930s. Interestingly, other languages use a similar variant of lox that is also pronounced the same way. This is because the meaning and pronunciation of the word have remained unaltered for over 8,000 years. In fact, lox is one of the terms that has helped linguists discover where the Proto-Indo-Europeans —a prehistoric ethnolinguistic group of Eurasia from which most languages originate— lived.

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Do you consider yourself a maven? You probably are! A maven is an experienced or knowledgeable person, in other words, an expert. It's true, you don't become a maven overnight, but we are all experts at something, even if it's just a hobby.

What you may not know is that the English word maven, first recorded in writing in 1907 according to the Oxford English Dictionary, derives from the Yiddish meyvn. This word, in turn, comes from the Late Hebrew mēbhīn, which literally means "one who understands." While for many years the word was used only in Jewish circles, by the early 1960s, maven finally joined other Yiddishisms in mainstream American culture. Today we have "media mavens," "literary mavens," and even "computer mavens."

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This article may not have the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but it's been pretty interesting so far, don't you think? And so, now it's the turn of the word glitz, which as you can imagine, derives from Yiddish, even though it was only incorporated into our everyday language in the 1970s.

Glitz and glitzy are Yiddish for "glitter" or "glittery," and originate from the German term glitzern meaning "sparkle." Today, however, the meaning of this word has broadened. It is now used to refer to something ostentatious, flashy, or extravagant in appearance.

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You have probably used this word thousands of times to refer to someone's buttocks in a cute, polite, and humorous way, most likely about a baby or a child. The truth is that the term tush began to be used more frequently in the English language as recently as the 1970s and if we analyze the etymology, it makes perfect sense.

The word tush, meaning the part of the body that you sit on, is almost certainly a modification of the Yiddish tokhes, which originates from the Hebrew taḥath meaning "under, beneath." So, next time you fall on your tush you'll know exactly what it means!

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Here we have another schm- word derived from Yiddish. Maybe this one is not so common and you don't use it regularly in your daily vocabulary, but according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it means "extremely or excessively sentimental," usually related to art or music.

In its literal sense, schmaltz comes from Yiddish shmalts, which means "liquid animal fat." Did you know that once upon a time schmaltz was spread on toast and eaten as if it were butter? You only had to visit a Jewish restaurant to find a bottle filled with chicken fat on your table! Why did we add the -y in America to refer to a piece of entertainment that is exaggerated or even tacky? That, my friends, is just one more linguistic mystery!

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This word is probably derived from Yiddish, although, as is usually the case, we cannot be a hundred percent certain. It apparently comes from glitsh, a Yiddish word for "slippery place," and from glitshn, meaning "to slide," or "glide."

According to Merriam-Webster, the term glitch today means "a malfunction" or "a minor problem that causes a temporary setback." However, in its original sense, it was "a sudden surge of current" and was mostly used in radio and television in the 1940s and 1950s to refer to technical problems.

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If you want to avoid an accident, never give something valuable to a klutz to carry. A klutz is, simply put, a clumsy person, someone who often drops things and is probably not very good at sports. The word is an Americanization of the Yiddish term klots, which means "wooden beam."

It came into use in the United States in the mid-1920s. At first, it was a derogatory slang term, but now it has a slightly more humorous and affectionate connotation.

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Do you know any machers? Once you understand the meaning of this word borrowed from Yiddish, one or two people will come to mind. In English, a macher is a powerful and influential person and the earliest known use of this noun is from 1911. In Yiddish, the term makher means exactly the same thing.

But this word, in turn, has its origin in Middle High German macher, which means "maker, creator," and derives from machen "to make, do." Aren't the twists and turns of language wonderful?

WORDPLAY PARADOX

Double Take: Explore the Two-Faced World of Contronyms

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The English language is a fascinating tapestry woven with countless quirks and nuances. Among its many delights are contronyms, words that have two contradictory meanings.

These linguistic anomalies add a delightful twist to communication, and they often require context to avoid misunderstandings. Read on as we go through a list of contronyms, explore their duality, and uncover their origins.

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Let’s kick off this list with a word that evokes images of both separation and unity at the same time. On one hand, it can mean to adhere firmly to something, as in "to cleave to tradition."

In the context of adherence, it is all about sticking together like peanut butter and jelly.

But here is the twist, this word can also mean to split apart, as in "to cleave through the dense underwood." A lumberjack wielding an axe is ready to "cleave through a mighty oak."

How did this linguistic paradox come to be? Well, "cleave" originates from two separate Old English words, "cleofian" meaning "to adhere" and "cleofan" meaning "to split." Over time, these two divergent meanings merged into one delightful linguistic enigma.

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Now, here’s a word that will keep you on your toes. Depending on the context, it can either mean to approve or to penalize. How’s that for a linguistic rollercoaster?

Originating from the Latin word "sanction," meaning "law" or "decree," sanction has managed to maintain its dual personality throughout its journey into the English language. When used for approval, "sanction" is like a stamp of authority, giving the green light to proceed. For example, "The committee voted to sanction the new project, signaling their full support."

However, it can morph into its alter ego, meaning punishment or penalty. For example, you might say, "The regulatory body decided to sanction the company for violating environmental regulations."

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Prepare to have your cleaning routine turned upside down with the contradictory nature of "dust." This deceptive little word can mean both to remove dust and to sprinkle with fine particles. It’s like a linguistic magic trick, leaving you wondering which way is up.

In the context of cleaning, "dust" means to rid surfaces of pesky particles that accumulate over time. You might say, "I need to dust the shelves before guests arrive for dinner."

But hold on to your feather dusters, because this word can also mean to sprinkle with fine particles and, in that context, you might find yourself saying, "The baker carefully dusted the freshly baked pastries with cocoa powder."

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If you thought bolts were just for locking doors, think again. "Bolt" is another word that defies expectations meaning both to secure tightly and to make a swift gateway. It’s like having a trusty tool and a daring escape plan all rolled into one.

In the context of securing, "bolt" is all about fastening something firmly in place. In this case, an example would be, "Be sure to bolt the gate shut to keep the livestock from wandering off."

But don’t get too comfortable because "bolt" also means to dash away at lightning speed, leaving others in the dust. You might use it in a sentence like, "When the alarm sounded, the thief made a desperate attempt to bolt from the scene."

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In the world of gardening, the word "seed" is a vital component of growth. But did you know it can also mean the opposite? That’s right, "seed" can both mean to sow seeds for planting and to remove seeds from fruits or vegetables. It’s like playing chef and gardener at the same time!

When used in the context of planting, "seed" is all about laying the groundwork for future growth. An example of this meaning could be: "It’s time to seed the garden with tomatoes and cucumbers for a summer full of fresh produce."

At the same time, "seed" can also mean to remove seeds, like when preparing a delicious meal. In a sentence, it could go: "After slicing the peppers, be sure to seed them to reduce the heat."

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When it comes to giving something a makeover, the word "trim" seems straightforward enough. But in the world of contronyms, nothing is as it seems. "Trim" can mean both adding decorative elements and removing excess material. It’s like being both an interior designer and a tailor, all in one fell swoop.

In the context of adding, "trim" means embellishing or decorating something to enhance its appearance. You can "add a lace trim to a dress" or "adorn a tree with colorful trimmings."

On the other hand, "trim" can also mean removing excess material or parts of something to improve efficiency or aesthetics. You can "trim back overgrown bushes," or "trim any excess of fat from the meat."

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When you think of a screen, you might envision a movie theater or a computer monitor. But did you know that "screen" can also mean both to display and to conceal?

According to the first definition, "screen" is to showcase or present something for everyone to see. For example, "The art gallery screened a documentary highlighting the artist’s creative process."

As for the second definition, "screen" also refers to shielding or hiding from view. In this case, you can use it in a sentence like, "The curtains were drawn to screen the room from the harsh afternoon sun."

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In the world of business, you have probably overlooked a project. But you have probably overlooked a detail that unleashed hell too, isn’t that so? "Overlook" is a fascinating contronym as it can mean both to supervise and to neglect.

In the context of supervising, "overlook" is a synonym for "monitoring", that is, it means to watch something over with care and attention. For example, "As the project manager, it’s my job to overlook the progress of the team."

However, it can also be a synonym for failing to pay attention, quite ironic, isn’t it? In this context, overlooking something might end in unintended consequences, like, "Don’t overlook the details, or you might miss an important opportunity."

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In the natural world, "weather" stands as a true anomaly. It’s a word that plays with our perceptions, veering between resilience and erosion. Like a cliff facing the relentless pounding of waves, "weather" embodies both strength and vulnerability.

When the tempests rage and the skies darken, "weather" becomes a symbol of resilience. In the face of adversity, we say a person or thing can "weather the storm," emerging stronger on the other side.

Yet, there’s another facet to this polysemic word. "Weather" can also mean the slow erosion of time’s touch. In this sense, to "weather" is to bear witness to the ceaseless march of time, where even the mightiest structures yield to its embrace.

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In the dance of presence and absence, the word "left" takes center stage, twirling between what remains and what has departed. It’s like having one foot in the past and one foot in the present, never quite sure where you stand.

Amidst the flow of comings and goings, "left" refers to what remains or is still available after others have departed. You might say, "I’ll take the last slice of pizza since no one else is left to claim it."

However, "left" can also mean having departed or gone away, leaving behind an empty space or a sense of loss. You might use it in a sentence like, "She felt a pang of sadness as she realized her friends had all left the party without saying goodbye."