By Philologos
A noodge is constantly nudging you to do something. The nudnik may simply want a listener. Thanks for clearing that up, Philologos!
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By Philologos
The catchy Yiddish song ‘Di Ban’ depicts the reaction of Jews to the arrival of the railroads. Philologos says not everyone was happy with the technological advance.
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By Philologos
The Hebrew letter daled comes from the word for door. But its name has changed in a linguistically unusual way. Our intrepid Philologos slams shut the debate.
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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
Jews have been toasting with the expression ‘L’chaim’ for centuries. Philologos investigates a reader’s complaint that we may have been wrong for just as long.
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By Philologos
Our language columnist answers a reader who wants to know the nuance of ‘potchkie’ — a slap, a dawdle or a waste of time.Read More
By Philologos
Is it a cliche to call Amy Winehouse a ‘nice Jewish girl’? No, says Philologos, who argues that the term actually has a special meaning imported from the Yiddish word
sheyne.
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By Philologos
The widespread integration of Yiddish words (especially those related to the world of petty crime) into the Dutch language is the subject of this week’s language column.
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By Philologos
The vice president recently used the word “shtick” incorrectly. Philologos wonders if we should be sad that Yiddish words are slipping from our grasp.
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By Philologos
Philologos, our language columnist, uncovers the French, German and Latin roots of
sheytl,
paruk and other Yiddish words for wigs.
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