by Wex | Jul 27, 2010 | FAQs
So where does the word zhlob come from? What is the translation of the Yiddish word “Zlob” . When my father used it on me I understood it to mean something like slob. However the accompanying intonation and facial expression made it seem worse than simply...
by Wex | Jul 20, 2010 | FAQs
Every wondered where the express Moishe Kapoyr comes from? You’re not alone. Would you be able to explain the origin of the Yiddish expression, Moishe Kapoyer, used, to the best of my knowledge, to describe someone who always appears to do things in a way...
by Wex | Jul 13, 2010 | FAQs
Here’s an interesting query about Jewish surnames: I’m interested in the origin of European Jewish surnames, such as “Bloom” meaning flower, and Shecter which I learned from your book is shechet. Is Kaufman a buyer, or merchant? Zukeo is sugar...
by Wex | Jul 8, 2010 | FAQs
Here’s an interesting query we had recently about a Yiddish expression a reader remembered from a Mickey Katz song. My friend uses the expression (excuse the transliteration): “its good for the maugen” whenever we are eating celery which he got from...
by Marilla | Jun 30, 2010 | FAQs, Pictures
We were recently contacted with a comment on Micah Mushmelon: The little Micah Mushmelon graphics are sooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!! I love him already. (From Mrs. Wex) Thanks! I’ll let you in on a little secret – my Dad drew him. He’s a graphic...
by Wex | Jun 23, 2010 | FAQs
We get a lot of mail. We get a lot of questions. You would think that the most obvious one would be: “How did you ever come to write Born to Kvetch?” You’d be wrong. The question I get asked the most is: Is that you (Michael Wex) on the front cover...
