Leo Rosten - The Joys of Yiddish

Question 1

What are the 4 things to know about the context of this dictionary?

Answer 1

Written during 1968

Contains the lexicon of common words and phrases in the Yiddish language.

Especially used by speakers of American English due to the influence of American Ashkenazi Jews.

During the period American and Jewish-American culture underwent changes.

Question 2

What were the 2 reasons Rosten created this dictionary?

Answer 2

To record the development of Yiddish words and phrases imprinted into the English language in late 20th century America

• Additionally, to serve as a ‘treasured collection’ of Jewish humour. Most of the entries in the dictionary are illustrated by a joke.

Question 3

Is Rosten’s dictionary hold descrptivist or prescrpitvist attitude?

Answer 3

It is a descriptivist attitude as…Inevitably the book became dated due to the change in American culture and Jewish-American culture.

Leo Rosten then published revised versions of the book with different titles: ‘Hooray for Yiddish!’ (1982) and ‘The Joys of Yinglish’ (1989).

As he published new versions of his book, this shows willingness to accept change in language. Documenting and spreading new forms to readers.

Question 4

Examples of recognisable word 1.

Answer 4

Shmuck – a term of contempt derived from the German word ‘Schmuck’’ to derive “an ornament, “jewellery”. It has 2 denotations. 1. Penis (literal and offensive) 2. Someone who is a jerk or a clumsy. I’s used between friends.
Seen in popular culture such as film ‘Dinner for Shmucks’ (although argued that it was used incorrectly)

Question 5

Examples of recognisable word 2.

Answer 5

Schmooz – denotes a friendly, gossipy, prolonged, heart-heart talk. Used as both a verb and an noun. “She shmoozed with her father until dinner. “ “How about a walk and a shmooz?”
We felt this this word is popular in American culture. It is not as frequently used in British culture.

Question 6

Examples of obscure/obsolete words?

Answer 6

Chutzpa denotes behaviour that insolent, impudent and arrogant.
*E.g. “There’s black bread, too,” the woman hinted.
“I prefer challa.”
“But challa is much more expensive!”
“Lady,” said the beggar, “it’s worth it.”
That, I think, is chutzpa.

Chutzpanik – Same denotation to Chutzpa but referring to the person who has that behaviour.