Sh Yiddish Words

Hello,

I enjoyed your list of 16 Yiddish words. Is there a good reference for one not at all versed in Yiddish? Thank you.

William L A

Michael F--I read the Yiddish worts and I knew the definition of 80%. Does this make me a schmart Italyana? Anthony

I love Yiddish, too. I grew up in North Dakota, where I heard many German words that I later realized had Yiddish origins. When I was moved to San Francisco in my late teens, I worked temp jobs; I often worked with motherly older Jewish women who tended to call me (affectionately I still assume) meshuggeneh. I still think of it as a fond nickname (I prefer to absorb the crazy part of the definition, and ignore the fool part!). I also cherish the moment in the great Billy Wilder film, "The Apartment," when Jack Lemmon's neighbor lady blames the weather on "all that meshugaas going on at Cape Canaveral."