Talking Dirty—In Yiddish?

A “breezy, engaging book” on Yiddish language and culture, featuring Yiddish slang and the etymology of words that are now a part of English conversation (The Forward).

Finally a book to teach you all the Yiddish your parents—or your rabbi—never told you. Written with humor and accuracy, this accessible and engaging book will explain why “glitch” is a Yiddish word but “kitsch” is not. You’ll learn the proper spelling of tchotchkes, and other vibrant words that have become a part of conversational English.

A compendium of useful—and sometimes offensive—words and phrases and how to use them, Talking Dirty—in Yiddish? reveals aspects of the language never taught in Temple. More than a dictionary, this reference goes beyond listing words and phrases by also giving humorous examples of how to use them in conversation. This book also contains trivia and historical and cultural facts about Jewish people and Judaism, including Yiddish literature, music, theater, and movies. So complete your Jewish cultural education with this witty and informative guide to one of the world’s most colorful and storied language.