Middle School English Words Derived from...: English Words Derived from Yiddish

English has borrowed many words from Yiddish, which is itself an amalgam of German, Russian, Hebrew and many other languages. Here some of which are very common, and some of which might be less familiar to you.
18 words 3 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. pastrami
    a highly seasoned cut of smoked beef
  2. glitch
    a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
  3. kvetch
    express complaints, displeasure, or unhappiness
  4. schlep
    pull along heavily, like a heavy load against a resistance
  5. glitz
    extravagant showiness that is tasteless or superficial
  6. schmooze
    talk in a friendly way, especially to gain an advantage
  7. bagel
    a yeast-raised, doughnut-shaped roll with hard crust
  8. blintz
    a thin pancake folded around a filling and fried or baked
  9. chutzpah
    unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity
  10. golem
    an artificial human that is given life by supernatural means
  11. klutz
    someone who is clumsy
  12. kosher
    conforming to the dietary laws of Judaism
  13. latke
    a pancake made of grated potato
  14. lox
    brine-cured salmon that is lightly smoked
  15. maven
    one who is very skilled in or knowledgeable about a field
  16. spiel
    artful or slick talk used to persuade
  17. tchotchke
    an inexpensive showy trinket
  18. yarmulke
    a skullcap worn by religious Jews, especially at prayer
Created on Wed May 14 13:20:56 EDT 2025 (updated Wed May 14 13:24:47 EDT 2025)

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