The online social community of the docents of the Rosenbach Museum and Library.
October 31, 2010
Help With My Yiddish Americanisms, Please?
Does anyone know how we got from tchotchke meaning "an inexpensive souvenir, trinket or ornament" to tchotchkeleh meaning "an attractive, unconventional woman?"
Is this right? Am I understanding these words correctly?
Jesse, "eleh" is a Yiddish diminutive, generally used affectionately. And 'tchotchke' can also be used to refer to a silly, brainless woman. Add the affectionate diminutive and you can turn that woman into someone cute.
I think you've got the tchotchke correct (it's kind of a nik-nak), the things that collect dust on your grandmother's tables and mantles. When my grandparents called me tchotchkeleh, it was an affectionate term, kind of like "sweetie."for a child.I can find out though
Jesse, "eleh" is a Yiddish diminutive, generally used affectionately. And 'tchotchke' can also be used to refer to a silly, brainless woman. Add the affectionate diminutive and you can turn that woman into someone cute.
ReplyDeleteI think you've got the tchotchke correct (it's kind of a nik-nak), the things that collect dust on your grandmother's tables and mantles. When my grandparents called me tchotchkeleh, it was an affectionate term, kind of like "sweetie."for a child.I can find out though
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting. I love learning about the etymologies of words! Thank you both for your comments. JRR
ReplyDelete