The National Jewish Democratic Council, NJDC, has released a quick and clever video which draws a sharp line between Barack Obama and John McCain. Most of the Yiddish words spoken in the video are in common usage. But if you need a little clarification, I’ve listed the translations below, as provided by the NJDC.
Meshugener = crazy person
Meshugeneh! = It’s crazy!
Shmendrick = fool
Yutz = clueless person
Kishkes = guts
Tsores = trouble
Farblondzshet = bewildered.
Schlepping = dragging
Bupkis = nothing
Nudnick = pest
Dreck = dirt
Shonde = a shame, disgraceful
Oy gevault! = Oh for heaven’s sake!
Shtick = comic performance
Mensch = a decent person; a person of integrity and honor!
The NJDC has also released a more serious video, in which the grandchildren of Justice Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, speak about Barack Obama in relation to their grandfather’s legacy.
Friday, October 31, 2008
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4 comments:
Ok I knew schlepping and bupkis and dreck but some of those others are fantastic, I'm going to have to work a few into my vocab!
Thanks for the education and the laugh!
Hi DMM -
Oh good! I'm happy to spread the word and share the wealth of such an expressive language!
Of course then there's my favorite: "Feh!"
I even devoted a post to it:
http://pinkgranite.blogspot.com/2007/02/feh.html
;o)
- Lee
Thanks Lee. Fun and informative.
Kent
Hi Kent -
So glad you liked it!
That's one of the great things about checking in with different bloggers - we all find different tidbits to share and have different takes on things!
;o)
- Lee
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