Yiddish is the historical language of the Ashkenazi Jews. My parents spoke it when they did not want me to know what they were saying. My parents were first generation and they
leaned Yiddish because it was their parent’s primary language. I did not learn it but know many words. It is a rich and colorful language. Many of the words have crept into English and people are not aware of their origin. I thought it would be interesting to list some Yiddish words which have an application in divorce and mediation.
A BI GEZUNT: So long as you’re healthy. Expression means, “Don’t worry so much about a problem, whatever it is. You’ve still got your health.”
BISSEL: A little.
BUPKES: Something worthless or absurd.
CHUTZPAH: Nerve; gall.
FERBLUNJIT: Lost, mixed up.
FERMISHT: All shook up, as in an acute disturbance.
GELT: Money.
GONIF: A thief, a tricky clever person, a shady character.
GORNISHT: Nothing. Often used in a sarcastic manner, as in what did you get from her? Gunisht.
KVELL: To beam with pride and pleasure, Jewish parents are prone to kvell over their children’s achievements.
KVETCH: To annoy or to be an annoying person, to complain.
MESHUGGINA: Crazy, refers to a more chronic disturbance
MISHPOCHA: Family, usually extended family.
MOMZER: A bastard, an untrustworthy person.
RACHMONES: Compassion.
SCHLOCK: A shoddy, cheaply made article, something thats been knocked around.
SHANDA: A shame, a scandal.
SHNORRER: A beggar, a moocher, a cheapskate, a chiseler.
SHTUP: An expression for sexual intercourse.
TCHOTCHKA: An inexpensive trinket, a toy.
TSORISS: Suffering, woes.
TUMMEL: Noise, commotion, disorder.
VER CLEMPT: All choked up.
I think their relationship to divorce and mediation is obvious but you can draw your own conclusions.
Learn more about mediation at https://www.center-divorce-mediation.com/ CDM (331) 6/1/17