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20 Words All Jewish Kids Grew Up Hearing

The Jewish vernacular.

Antonia Braun

Jul 01, 2020

Montclair State University

96346

20 Words All Jewish Kids Grew Up Hearing

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1. Verklempt

Definition: when you have no words because you are filled with much emotion

Sentence: Your grandma was verklempt after seeing you in your bar/bat mitzvah attire.

2. Schpilkes

Definition: when one is overwhelmed and/or nervous

Sentence: She has schpilkes before going up to read the torah in front of the congregation.

3. Oy Gevalt

Definition: the act of being stunned by something you hear

Sentence: "OY GEVALT" she cried out once she heard how much the party would cost.

4. Shmutz

Definition: dirt or stain on ones face, body or clothing

Sentence: She wiped the piece of shmutz off her daughter with a wet paper towel.

5. Fakakta

Definition: something silly or ridiculous

Sentence: Grandma Rosalie didn't like the fakakta rap music that was playing at the wedding.

6. Bubbala

Definition:  endearing term, from grandma to grandkids

Sentence: "Bubbala, can you fetch me my reading glasses" yelled grandma Judy.

7. Shana Punum

Definition: beautiful face

Sentence: Aunt Shirley pinched her cheeks and exclaimed "What a Shana Punum!!"

8. Mishpucha

Definition: you are extended family

Sentence: Matthew was basically mishpucha for he went to all of his best friends family events.

9. Shiksa

Definition: non-Jewish girl

Sentence: His mother almost fainted when she heard her son was dating a shiksa.

10. Plotz

Definition: to freak out with excitement

Sentence: I could plotz from the beautiful view of the mountains.

11. Schtick

Definition: a persons actions or act

Sentence: The magician's schtick was sawing a women in half.

12. Spiel

Definition: a long and detailed story, speech, or plot

Sentence: He asked her for the whole spiel on the fight between uncle Marvin and grandpa Murray.

13. Tchatchke

Definition: a toy or an item

Sentence: Stacey has so many tchatchkes in the house there is hardly room for the family.

14. Tuches

Definition: ones rear end

Sentence: "Don't you talk back to me young lady, I wiped your tuches" her mother yelled.

15. Nosh

Definition: a snack before, after or with a meal or when  grandma wants to stuff food in your face

Sentence: “What can we nosh on today? How about some cookies!" said grandma Rita.

16. Chutzpah

Definition: courage and/or bravery

Sentence: Stewart had a lot of chutzpah for standing up to his older brother Kevin.

17. Kvetshed

Definition: to complain or whine about something

Sentence: Trevor kvetshed because he didn't want to go to temple.

18. Shlep

Definition: to drag someone unwillingly along

Sentence: Jodi was tired of shleping her son on his earns.

19. Mench

Definition: a hero or a person who does good deeds

Sentence: Andrew was a mench for helping the old women cross the street.

20. Mazel Tov

Definition: good luck

Sentence: She wished her nephew and his wife Mazel Tov on the birth of their first child.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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20 Words All Jewish Kids Grew Up Hearing

The Jewish vernacular.

1. Verklempt

2. Schpilkes

3. Oy Gevalt

4. Shmutz

5. Fakakta

6. Bubbala

7. Shana Punum

8. Mishpucha

9. Shiksa

10. Plotz

11. Schtick

12. Spiel

13. Tchatchke

14. Tuches

15. Nosh

16. Chutzpah

17. Kvetshed

18. Shlep

19. Mench

20. Mazel Tov

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We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

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