Family … can we talk?

Zoog mir in Yiddish

By Sol Awend, GenShoah SWFL

It’s been said that everyone needs a warm loving family, in another city. Have you ever stopped to think maybe that’s why there are so many of us here in Florida from somewhere else? Taken for granted back home, we are missed down here.

Describing family terms in Yiddish provides a rich storehouse of names and titles about our loved ones. There’s the story of the young daughter coming home and telling her mom about the fellow she just met.

“Is he Jewish?,” the mom asked.

“Yes, mom, he is!” answered the toc’hter.

“…What’s wrong with him?” Mom asks again.

And down the list we go in talking and defining people in our family.

Mothers-in-law usually get a bad rap. After all, what are you going to say when you hear about the Jewish fella that comes home and introduces his sweetheart?

"I can see you two belong together,” mom says.

"Why’s that?” asks the son.

“Because I don’t like her,” comes the response.

Please understand that I mean no disrespect.

My mother-in-law, Lillian, was a wonderful person. I loved, admired and respected her. She was understated and dignified. When she spoke, you listened. In a word, she was the short arm of the law. But she also knew how to take a joke, especially when I mentioned the definition of happiness: seeing a picture of your mother-in-law on a milk carton.

Listed below are titles and descriptions of family members. It’s always nice to hear from a friendly voice, so if you’re inclined, drop a line to sdevoyle@gmail.com. Until next time, thanks for your interest and Zoog mir eppes in Yiddish ! (Tell me something in Yiddish!)

Ten words describing family members

1. Maameh (Mother, Ma!)

Dee Maameh zorg’t zec’h un varet off deeyeh. (Mother is concerned and waiting for you.)

2. Taateh (Father, Dad, Pa)

Deh Taateh varet ochet off deeyeh, mit ah paasik. (Dad is waiting for you also, with a belt.)

3. Breedeh, Shvesteh (Brother, Sister)

Mah Breedeh iz elteh, deh vaal Deh Shvesteh is yingeh. (My brother is older, while my sister is younger.)

4. KOOzeen, KooZEEneh (Male cousin, female cousin)

Mah koozeen kimpt fin Austraahlia, C’hana, mah koozeneh kimp’t oc’het. (My cousin is coming from Australia, C’hana, my cousin is also coming.)

5. SHVIggeh, SHVAYggehrin (Mother-in-Law)

Mah Shviggeh iz ah zayeh, beh kooveteh frow. (My mother-in-law is a very respectful woman.)

6. SHVAYeh (Father-in-Law)

Mah Shvayeh iz ah ohnt-lec’heh mensch. (My father-in-law is an honorable man.)

7. TAANteh (Auntie); FEHteh (Uncle)

Mah Taanteh Lubeh, un Deh Feteh Aaron voinen in Yisrool (My Aunt Luba and Uncle Aaron live in Israel.)

8. POHlehMANitzeh (Niece); POHlehMAHNyik (Nephew) Mahneh pohlehmanitzeh un polehmahnyik kriggen zec’h beideh gehseideh. (My niece and nephew are constantly arguing.)

9. C’HOOsen (Groom); Idem (Son-in-Law)

Deh Idem zayt zec’h oss ah feineh c’hoosen. (The son-in-law looks to be a fine fellow for a groom.)

10. KAAL-leh (Bride)

Dee Kaaleh is ibbeh glik-lec’h c’haasehneh t’zeh hooben. (The bride is overjoyed to become married.)