August 2010
15 posts
Dekn - דעקן
Dekn - דעקן \DEK-en\ Verb:
To cover, coat; to span.
Pronunciation: Click here to hear a native Yiddish speaker use this word in conversation.
Synonyms: baleygn (באלייגן); bashlogn (באשלאגן); bashteln (באשטעלן); ibertsien (איבערציען).
German equivalents: auslegen, decken, erfassen.
Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German “decken,” from Old High German “dekken,...
Gilgulim Magazine!
For those interested, Gilgulim (גילגולים) is a Yiddish-language literary magazine based in Paris (French name: “Gilgulim: Métamorphoses Littéraires”) which publishes contemporary Yiddish authors’ poems, short stories, and even plays about once a year (so far, between Spring 2008 and now, there have only been 2 issues). They also try to republish in each issue a selection of...
Anonymous asked: At Jewiish Summer resorts, and other Jewish Functions, there would be member of the resort staff, who would 'keep the party going'. That is take young people and introduce them to 'each other, so the danced, etc.., a ?mixer upper'
sort of a Master of Ceremonies, but he would add life to the party by spurring the guests to participate, etc.
What is the...
sort of a Master of Ceremonies, but he would add life to the party by spurring the guests to participate, etc.
What is the...
Gas - גאס
Gas - גאס \GAS\ Noun \ Feminine \ Pl. Gasn:
A street.
Pronunciation: Click here to hear a native Yiddish speaker use this word in conversation.
Synonyms: ali (אלי).
German equivalents: die Allee, die Gasse, die Straße, der Weg.
Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German “gazze,” from Old HIgh German “gazza,” originally “gatta,” which ultimately...
Yiddish Song of the Week Blog!
For those interested, the Yiddish Song of the Week blog (דאס יידישע ליד פון דער וואך) (gee, I wonder where they got the idea from…), supported by the An-sky Institute for Jewish Culture and edited by Dr. Itzik Gottesman, has been offering since February of this year a recording of a different Yiddish song sung by male and female vocalists every week, accompanied by notes on the content and...
Heybn - הייבן
Heybn - הייבן \HEYB-en\ Verb:
1. To raise, lift, heave 2. To enhance, advance, progress, exalt.
Pronunciation: Click here to hear a native Yiddish speaker use this word in conversation.
Synonyms: farraysn (פאררייסן), hekhern (העכערן).
German equivalents: abheben, anheben, aufbringen, aufheben, aufwinden, aufwerfen, ausheben, erheben.
Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German...
Tayer - טייער
Tayer - טייער \TAY-er\ Adjective:
Expensive, valuable; dear, adorable, beloved, precious.
Pronunciation: Click here to hear a native Yiddish speaker use this word in conversation.
Synonyms: balibt (באליבט), eydl (איידל), kostik (קאסטיק), liber (ליבער), vertik (ווערטיק), vertful(ווערטפול).
German equivalents: aufwendig, edel, kostbar, kostspielig, teuer, wertvoll.
Etymology: The word...
Australian Yiddish!
For those interested, and continuing on the Australian theme from a couple weeks back, it turns out that Australia, particularly Melbourne, has a huge Yiddish presence, including a Yiddish National Library and secular Yiddish cultural center (“Kadimah”) which publishes its own Yiddish periodical Melburner Bleter (מעלבורנער בלעטער), a Yiddish choir (“Mir Kumen On”), and a...
Hengen - הענגען
Hengen - הענגען \HENG-en\ Verb:
(Intransitive:) To hang, hinge upon; be poised. (Transitive:) To hang (something/someone).
Pronunciation: Click here to hear a native Yiddish speaker use this word in conversation.
German equivalent: hängen, henken (in the sense of execution, especially crucification).
Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German “hangen,” from Old High...
Di Yunge Gvardiye and IBS
For those interested, Di Yunge Gvardiye (די יונגע גווארדיע) - The Young Guard - was a monthly Yiddish-language online publication put together by students of Yiddish at The King David School in Victoria, Australia. It ran only for a short time, from May 2002 to December 2006 with a one-year hiatus (2005), but during it was the only Yiddish magazine published exclusively by students.
In other...
