By Philologos
Is there a link between the word ‘macabre’ and the Maccabees? Could be. The word was coined in medieval days when Maccabees were revered as martyrs.
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By Philologos
Jews often say goodbye by bursting into a Yiddish song called ‘Yoshke Fort Avek.’ It was made famous by a character dubbed ‘the Jewish Maurice Chevallier.’
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By Philologos
It’s not easy to train a dog, let alone doing so in Hebrew, which has plenty of rules for female nouns. Philologos is too polite to use the B-word, but no such luck with us.
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By Philologos
A reader questions the common translations of a line in ‘The Ethics of the Fathers.’ Philologos says he’s got a point, if you look at the scales of justice.
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By Philologos
There are plenty of ways to tell a Jewish boy to get a haircut. In Yiddish, a mom uses three languages to send a mop-haired son to the barber, Philologos writes.
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By Philologos
Should Yiddish have been the national language of Israel? Philologos says emphatically ‘no,’ because Hebrew is the eternal language of the Jewish people.
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By Philologos
A soccer game and Israel’s national anthem are the subjects of this week’s column.Read More
By Philologos
Is the newly uncovered tomb in Jerusalem one of the earliest known Christian burial sites? The language used in an inscription offers important clues to Philologos.
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By Philologos
The Yiddish word for witch is a nasty word to use about your mother. It also provides sca-a-a-a-ry case study in the changing face of linguistics for Philologos.
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By Philologos
Philologos’ columns on the possible origins of the famed Jewish toast has drawn sacks of mail from linguistically inclined readers. Drink up and read his final verdict!
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Reconsider Decision on Rabbis and Intermarriage
Is Steven Hawking’s Decision To Boycott Israel a Boon to BDS?
Forced Out by Nazis, Grandmother Returns With Family to Germany
Tracing the Jewish Origins of the Holy Ghost
Mother of Jewish Teen Killed on Brooklyn Bridge Speaks Out
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