Zaidy’s Little Yiddish Dictionary
Because half the flavour is in the words
Yiddish? What’s that?
So, you’re noshing your way through our site and suddenly—oy gevalt!—you hit a word that makes you plotz. Don’t worry, you’re not meshuggeh (well, maybe just a little). Yiddish is a historical Jewish language combining German, Hebrew, and Slavic elements. It’s the beautifully expressive, occasionally kvetchy, always flavorful language of our ancestors, and it’s got more chutzpah than a pastrami sandwich at a vegan picnic.
Here, we’ve put together a little glossary of terms to help you navigate the delicious world of Jewish food, culture, and the occasional well-meaning insult. Think of it like Google Translate, if Google had a Jewish mother.
Balabusta (bah-lah-BOOS-tah)
A woman who runs a perfect home, whips up a feast for thirty without breaking a sweat, and still finds time to ask why you never call.
Bissel (BISS-el)
A little bit. Just a smidge. The amount of pastrami you say you’ll eat... before you go back for a second sandwich.
Blintz (blintz)
A thin crepe stuffed with cheese, rolled like a little edible Torah scroll, and fried until golden. Served with sour cream and the quiet shame of knowing you’ll eat four more.
Bubbe (BOO-beh)
Your grandmother. Also: your biggest fan, your personal chef, and the original human lie detector. She’ll feed you even when you’re full and guilt you when you’re not.
Chutzpah (KHOOTZ-pah)
Audacity, nerve, boldness. Like asking for a discount after eating half the pastrami sandwich. Legendary when used for good. Annoying when used by your in-laws.
Fress (fress)
To eat like you mean it. With gusto. With enthusiasm. With both hands. Usually while standing over the sink, even though there’s a whole dining table right there.
Geshmak (guh-SHMAHK)
Delicious. Delectable. The sound you make after taking a bite of a proper pastrami on rye.
Kvetch (kvehch)
To complain, whine, or grumble—often about perfectly normal things like the weather, the traffic, or your cousin’s new nose job.
Lokshen (LOK-shen)
Noodles. Usually floating in a chicken soup so healing it should be covered by Medicare.
Meshuggeh (meh-SHOO-geh)
Crazy, but in a lovable way. Think eccentric aunt energy, or your friend who quit their job to become a full-time pickler.
Nosh (nawsh)
A little snack. Not a meal. Not quite nothing. Just enough to ruin your appetite for dinner, which is exactly what you were told not to do.
Oy (oy)
One syllable, a thousand emotions: frustration, exhaustion, sympathy, or just realizing you forgot to order extra pickles.
Oy Gevalt! (oy geh-VALT)
An all-purpose expression of shock, frustration, or disbelief. Like “oh no!” but with 40% more heartburn.
Plotz (plawtz)
To collapse—physically, emotionally, or from sheer excitement. “When she saw how much pastrami we sent her, she plotzed. Right there in the kitchen.”
Schlep (shlep)
To drag, carry, or haul something somewhere—usually with great effort and greater complaining. “I had to schlep three bags of pastrami across town. My back hasn't been the same since.”
Schmaltz (shmahlts)
Rendered chicken fat. Liquid gold. Used in cooking, spreading, and occasionally cardiology referrals. Adds flavour, richness, and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
Schmeck (shmek)
To taste, especially by “just taking a little piece” with your fingers when no one’s looking.
Schmutz (shmootz)
A little dirt, a crumb, a mysterious spot on your shirt after lunch. Always pointed out loudly by your mother in public.
Yente (YEN-teh)
A gossip, a matchmaker, or just your nosy neighbour who knows what time you got home last night.
Zaide (ZAY-dee)
Grandfather. Wise, stubborn, soft-hearted (but don’t tell him we said that). The keeper of stories, bad jokes, and the secret to perfect pastrami.