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Putz —A jerk, or a self-made fool, but this word literally means penis. Schlep — To carry or travel with difficulty, as in “We shlepped here all the way from New Jersey.” Schmooze (shmooze)— Chat, make small talk, converse about nothing in particular.
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Putz: An obnoxious or foolish person. Origin: From the...
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Jul 27, 2022 · In Yiddish, the word putz has a bit of a mysterious origin. We know that it is one of the obscene terms for penis in Yiddish, alongside schmuck. The Yiddish puts (פּאָץ) is not related to the German putz nor to the German putzen. In German, the word putz means “plaster,” and putzen means “to clean.”
Putz and futz are both slang terms of Yiddish origin, used to describe someone as foolish, incompetent, lazy, or not taking their responsibilities seriously. Yes, they’re similar in sound, spelling, and meaning, but they’re also considered offensive when used in a serious manner.
Putz: An obnoxious or foolish person. Origin: From the Yiddish word potz, meaning penis. Usage: “What a putz! He backed into my car and didn’t even leave a note.”
Jan 15, 2008 · Jewish scriptwriters introduced many Yiddish words into popular culture, which often changed the original meanings drastically. You might be surprised to learn how much Yiddish you already speak, but also, how many familiar words actually mean something different in real Yiddish.
Explore the various interpretations of 'putz,' from nonsense to penis, and learn about the nuanced history of this complex Yiddish word.
Jun 24, 2013 · putz. A stupid fellow, a fool, a jerk; also a slang term for the penis, and for this reason, as Leo Rosten cautions in The Joys of Yiddish (1968), “ Putz is not to be used lightly, or when women or children are around.”
