Which alphabet is Yiddish traditionally written in?
AnswerHebrew alphabet
Yiddish is written right to left using the Hebrew alphabet.
Society · Facts & stats
Mensch facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about being a mensch and Yiddish words, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
Which of these English words was borrowed from Yiddish?
AnswerKlutz
Klutz comes from Yiddish; robot is from Czech, kayak from Inuit and tycoon from Japanese.
Going deeper
Yiddish developed mainly from medieval dialects of which language?
AnswerGerman
Yiddish grew from medieval German dialects, with Hebrew, Aramaic and Slavic influences.
What does the Yiddish word 'chutzpah' describe?
AnswerBold nerve or audacity
Chutzpah means boldness or nerve, sometimes admired and sometimes shocking.
What does the Yiddish word 'kvetch' mean?
AnswerTo complain
To kvetch is to complain or gripe, often about small things.
Expert level
What does it mean to 'kibitz'?
AnswerTo chat or offer unasked-for advice while watching
A kibitzer watches others, like at a card game, and chimes in with comments or advice.
What is a 'maven', a word English borrowed from Yiddish?
AnswerAn expert
A maven is someone with deep knowledge of a subject, from Yiddish meyvn.
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