“Schmooze” derives from the Yiddish shmuesn, which in turn derives from Hebrew shemuah, meaning “rumor.” Its earliest written reference dates to 1897. When the term was borrowed into American English, it originally meant to have a warm conversation—to shoot the breeze—to pass the time chatting.
Is schmooze a real word?
Schmooze (also spelled shmooze) is one of a small, but significant, number of words borrowed from Yiddish that have become relatively common parts of the English language. It was the Hebrew shěmuōth (news, rumor) that provided Yiddish with the noun shmues (talk) and the verb shmuesn (to talk or chat).
What is Smoosher?
noun ; Takes on the meaning of anything the speaker wants it to. In the bus example it is the pull chord.
What does Shpilkes mean in Yiddish?
Agitated Shpilkes Agitated (as in waiting for exam results) 3. Kvetch Complain, complainer.
Is dolt a bad word?
Dolt. A dolt is a “dull person”—quite literally so. Its first found in the form doltish in the 1540s and appears to be related to dull and dold (“stupid, inert”), an obsolete past participial form of the verb to dull that might also be responsible for doldrums.
What does tête à tête mean in English?
1 : a private conversation between two persons. 2 : a short piece of furniture (such as a sofa) intended to seat two persons especially facing each other. tête-à-tête.
What is a ninny baby?
Ninnynoun. a fool; a simpleton. Etymology: [Cf. It. ninno, ninna, a baby, Sp.
What does powwow mean in English?
English Language Learners Definition of powwow : a social gathering of Native Americans that usually includes dancing. : a meeting for people to discuss something. See the full definition for powwow in the English Language Learners Dictionary. powwow. noun.
How is tete tete pronounced?
0:051:01How To Say Tete-A-Tete - YouTubeYouTube
Who is a schmoozer person?
Definitions of schmoozer. someone skilled at conversation. synonyms: conversationalist, conversationist. types: deipnosophist. someone skilled at informal chitchat.
What is a Schmendrick in Yiddish?
Schmendrick (שמענדריק) is Yiddish for an ineffectual, foolish, or contemptible person (OED), and may refer to: Shmendrik oder Die komishe Chaseneh (Schmendrik or The Comical Wedding), an 1877 play by Abraham Goldfaden.