Words With Yiddish Origins

Every word in the dictionary traced back to Yiddish — a real, growing list pulled straight from each word's etymology, not hand-picked.

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12 Words

1 dreidel A small four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters, traditionally spun as part of a Hanukkah game.
2 klutz A clumsy or awkward person.
3 lox Salmon cured in brine and cold-smoked, served raw rather than cooked.
4 meh Used to express indifference, boredom, or a lack of enthusiasm.
5 noogie A playful gesture of rubbing one's knuckles roughly on someone's head, usually while holding them in a light h...
6 oy An exclamation of mild frustration, worry, or exasperation.
7 putz Slang for a foolish or clumsy person.
8 schmuck An obnoxious or foolish person; a jerk.
9 Shrek An extremely or comically ugly person (used as slang, from the animated character).
10 shtick A repeated, characteristic routine or gimmick used to attract attention or amuse an audience.
11 slapper A promiscuous or disreputable woman (British slang, derogatory).
12 Tish A festive celebratory meal for a religious occasion, especially a Sabbath gathering, in Hasidic tradition.