Back when I worked for the Strand Bookstore (circa early 1970s) one of my favorite Strand characters was the obsessive book maven Joe Kupic. In his world there were only two kinds of people: Putz's and Schmucks.
beautiful essay, Bret...I spoke Yiddish with my parents till Mom passed 5 years ago...I have a friend with whom I can speak a bit...seems to be a bit of a revival, like film and vinyl...Adankh!
Two of my favorite words are Putz and Schmuck...
Back when I worked for the Strand Bookstore (circa early 1970s) one of my favorite Strand characters was the obsessive book maven Joe Kupic. In his world there were only two kinds of people: Putz's and Schmucks.
I kvetch, therefore I am!
beautiful essay, Bret...I spoke Yiddish with my parents till Mom passed 5 years ago...I have a friend with whom I can speak a bit...seems to be a bit of a revival, like film and vinyl...Adankh!
IBS is kvelling. As soon as he gets off today’s shiksa I’m sure you’ll hear from him.
Wonderful piece. Took me right back to the Catskills. Made me realize how lucky I am that my shiksa goddess knows plenty of Yiddish!
And it continues on in English—the New Yorker now freely uses ‘bubkes..’
Oy
Shver tsu zein a yid.. more so today than any time I’ve been alive..
Yiddish embraces and includes humor. It works for Jews and gentiles and any others to laugh. Without humor we lose our humanity. I think.