Word origins

• dragResistance of a fluid to something moving through it.
• nuThe letter of the Greek alphabet Ν (N) and ν (n).
• aptSuitable; appropriate; fit or fitted; suited.
• kosherFit for use or consumption, in accordance with Jewish law (especially relating to food).
• saltsA surname from Yiddish.
• ShapiroA surname from Yiddish.
• mavenAn expert in a given field; also, a person who is interested in and knowledgeable about a particular activity or thing; an aficionado.
• oyAn exclamation typically expressing mild frustration or expressing feelings of uncertainty or concern.
• YiddishOf or pertaining to the Yiddish language.
• GreenspanA surname from Yiddish.
• rebShortened form of Rebbe.
• glitchA problem affecting function.
• MarantzA surname.
• rava rabbi
• HershA surname.
• SpectorA surname from Yiddish.
• GarfunkelA surname.
• berylA mineral of pegmatite deposits, often used as a gemstone (molecular formula Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈).
• FinkelsteinA surname from Yiddish.
• hockA Rhenish wine, of a light yellow color, either sparkling or still, from the Hochheim region; often applied to all Rhenish wines.
• klezmerA Jewish folk musician.
• KushnerA surname.
• rebbeThe spiritual leader of a Hasidic Jewish community.
• menschA person of strength, integrity, and honor or compassion; a gentleman.
• bundA league or confederacy; especially the confederation of German states.
• tishA festive meal for a religious event, especially Shabbat.
• dermaThe inner layer of the skin.
• loxSalmon that is cured in brine and then smoked at a low temperature so that the flesh remains uncooked.
• frumPious, observant; committed to obeying all the laws of Judaism.
• shandaShame; disgrace.
• shabbosShabbat or shabbat (the biblical seventh-day Sabbath).
• brisRitual male circumcision; the ceremony in which this is performed.
• ShmuelA male given name from Hebrew, variant of Samuel.
• tashA diminutive of the female given name Natasha.
• autemA church.
• shulAn Ashkenazi synagogue.
• fehAn expression of disgust or contempt.
• TeitelbaumA surname from Yiddish.
• becherA kiddush cup
• GarfinkelA surname.
• chutzpahNearly arrogant courage; utter audacity, effrontery or impudence; supreme self-confidence; exaggerated self-opinion.
• TabakA surname from Yiddish.
• blechAn imitation of the sound of gagging, used to express disgust or disdain.
• bortThe shards or fragments removed from diamonds during cutting, used for industrial purposes such as abrasives in cutting, drilling or grinding tools; a poorly crystallized diamond.
• schlockAny commodity that is shoddy or inferior; now, usually, writing or audiovisual content that is shoddy or inferior.
• ShaynaA female given name from Yiddish.
• tanteA Jewish aunt.
• shtickA generally humorous routine.
• borschtA beetroot soup that can be served hot or cold, usually with sour cream, called borsch in its countries of origin.
• pastramiA seasoned smoked cut of beef, traditionally made from a navel cut.
• schtickThe stick used to play schlockey.
• pogromA riot aimed at persecution or massacre of a particular ethnic or religious group (usually Jews).
• phooeyAn expression of disgust, rejection, or disappointment.
• dreidelA four-sided spinning top, inscribed with the four Hebrew letters נ (nun), ג (gimel), ה (hey), and ש (shin) (or פ (pey)) on each side, often used to play a traditional game during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
• glattHaving none of a particular kind of adhesion on the outside of its lungs; only meat from a glatt animal can be kosher.
• amolonce, formerly, back in the day, once upon a time
• HershelA male given name from Yiddish.
• kittelA white linen or cotton robe worn by religious Ashkenazi Jews on holidays, in the synagogue, or at home when leading the Passover seder.
• nachesA feeling of contentment at another person's successes.
• dreckTrash; rubbish; useless or worthless stuff.
• KailaA female given name.
• brachaBlessing.
• kvetchTo whine or complain, often needlessly and incessantly.
• KirschenbaumA surname from Yiddish.
• schmoozeTo talk casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.
• davento recite the Jewish liturgy; to pray
• yentaA woman who meddles in the business of others; a busybody; a female gossipmonger.
• vortA short Torah lesson, thought, or insightful saying, often shared at a wedding, gathering, or celebration.
• shtetlA Jewish village or small town, especially one in Eastern Europe.
• HelfandA surname from Yiddish.
• MoisheA male given name from Yiddish.
• pareveOf food: that has no meat or milk in any form as an ingredient.
• schnorrto scrounge, sponge, cadge
• yarmulkeA skullcap worn by religious Jewish males (especially during prayer).
• YIVOInstitute for Jewish Research
• GingoldA surname from Yiddish.
• potchTo thrust.
• rebbetzinThe wife of a rabbi.
• AltschulerA surname from Yiddish.
• bisselA small amount; a bit.
• GewirtzA surname from Yiddish.
• macherAn important person, often in the negative sense of self-important; a bigwig.
• kasherto remove excess blood from by washing and salting
• BronfenbrennerA surname from Yiddish or German.
• yahrzeitThe anniversary of a person's death, usually a parent's, often marked by the lighting of a memorial candle and other rituals.
• bankescupping
• magillaSomething large or elaborate.
• bubbeA grandmother.
• knishAn Eastern European Jewish, or Yiddish, snack food consisting of a dumpling covered with a shell of baked or fried dough
• neitzA surname from German.
• bialyA flat bread roll topped with onion flakes. Instead of a hole like a bagel, it has a depression in the middle.
• funtAn old Russian unit of weight, approximately 410 grams.
• vitzjoke
• latkeA pancake fried in oil, usually made from potatoes and sometimes also onions, traditionally served on Hanukkah.
• zaftigHaving a plump and sexually attractive figure; voluptuous, well-proportioned; large.
• ZilbersteinA surname from Yiddish
• shailaA question, especially a religious or legal one posed to a rabbi regarding Jewish law (halacha).
• aufrufAn aliyah (Torah reading) made by the bridegroom, typically on the Shabbat before the wedding; a gathering at which this occurs.
• kibitzTo make small talk or idle chatter.
• dybbukA malicious possessing spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person.