you know...those really useful words that have a humourous quality to them. i dont know if this counts as slang...but whatever you'd call it, i'd love a dictionary that has them all in.
ive never mixed with jews, so apart from spending time in new york..or combing through old films...how am i going to find them, and know the correct meaning and context.
2007-07-30 22:59:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Of all the many books on the topic available on Amazon, I like
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It In Yiddish:
http://www.amazon.com/You-Cant-Anything-Nice-Yiddish/dp/0806527315/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-7685038-8411660?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185879618&sr=8-2
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Yiddish:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Learning-Yiddish/dp/0028633873/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4/105-7685038-8411660?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185879618&sr=8-4
2007-07-31 00:03:31 · answer #1 · answered by Steve R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A useful website has already been mentioned.
However the definitive reference work you need is that excellent tome "THE FOUR BY TWO". It covers all you need to know. i.e. Slang and reverse slang. The history of various Jewish words and phrases. Every page is a byword to the language.
It is also laced with humour - just one example is .......
"The Grand Canyon was dug by a Jew. He was walking along - dropped his purse......... and started looking for it" !!
I know you will enjoy the read. Hope this has been helpful
2007-07-31 06:28:11 · answer #2 · answered by tonyflair2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're looking for yiddish words
Look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiddish
Read I B Singer (30s-40s) and Michael Chabon (contemporary)
2007-07-31 06:16:20 · answer #3 · answered by Skidoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've got one for sale. Retail price...£10 but to you, £6.99.
2007-07-31 11:48:41 · answer #4 · answered by brainyandy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.koshernosh.com/uncompli.htm
2007-07-31 06:44:10 · answer #5 · answered by Chariotmender 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋