Yiddish
UK: ˈjɪd.ɪʃ | US: ˈjɪd.ɪʃ
n. a High German language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, written in the Hebrew alphabet and incorporating elements of Hebrew, Slavic, and Romance languages.
Yiddish = Yid<Jew> + ish<language suffix>
- Yid: Derived from Middle High German Jude (Jew), ultimately from Hebrew Yehudah (Judah).
- ish: A Germanic suffix denoting "pertaining to" or "language of," as in English (-ish) or German (-isch).
Etymology Origin:
Yiddish emerged around the 9th–10th centuries among Jewish communities in the Rhineland, blending Middle High German with Hebrew and Aramaic vocabulary. The term Yiddish itself reflects its identity as the "Jewish language" (Yid + ish). Over time, it absorbed Slavic and Romance influences as Ashkenazi Jews migrated eastward. Despite historical stigmatization, it flourished as a vibrant vernacular and literary language.
My grandmother told stories in Yiddish, mixing humor and wisdom.
Yiddish theater was a cornerstone of Jewish cultural life in early 20th-century New York.
Many English words, like "klutz" and "schmooze," are borrowed from Yiddish.
Scholars study Yiddish to preserve Ashkenazi heritage.
He greeted his relatives with a warm "Shalom aleichem" in Yiddish.