kvetch
to complain
TRANSLATION
kvetch = nörgeln, sich beschweren --- GOOGLE INDEX kvetch: approximately 400,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
Social-media sites are full of KVETCHING about how much cheaper things are in America and Europe.
(The Economist)
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Nothing is more irritating or more boring than listening to somebody KVETCH about things that they’re not willing to change.
(Time magazine)
(The Economist)
---
Nothing is more irritating or more boring than listening to somebody KVETCH about things that they’re not willing to change.
(Time magazine)
Did you
know?
kvetch
verb
- to complain
noun
- a complaint
- someone who complains
(Cambridge Dictionary)
---
We may not often think about it this way, but the English language is like a stew with many ingredients. The influences range from Latin, French and German to Spanish, Italian and even the occasional Japanese word.
In North America in particular, Yiddish also has its place. The great wave of Jewish migration that began in the late 19th century had a tremendous impact on cities like New York, where Jewish culture still plays a key role. With this migration came the language. As a result, one can find Yiddish words like "kvetch" that have been integrated into our language over time.
Kvetch derives from the Yiddish kvetshn and German quetschen meaning to squeeze or press. Other words of Yiddish origin that have found their way into everyday English include:
- kosher = correct according to Jewish law and meanwhile synonymous with legal or proper (I'm not sure this business is kosher)
- schmooze = to make small talk, chat informally (She's great with customers because she really knows how to schmooze)
- kibitz = to sit around and talk or offer unwanted advice (Uncle Joe annoys us with his kibitzing when we play card games)
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SYNONYMS
bellyache, bitch, carp, complain, gripe, grumble, moan, nag, whine
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"People like to kvetch whenever the trains are running late."
verb
- to complain
noun
- a complaint
- someone who complains
(Cambridge Dictionary)
---
We may not often think about it this way, but the English language is like a stew with many ingredients. The influences range from Latin, French and German to Spanish, Italian and even the occasional Japanese word.
In North America in particular, Yiddish also has its place. The great wave of Jewish migration that began in the late 19th century had a tremendous impact on cities like New York, where Jewish culture still plays a key role. With this migration came the language. As a result, one can find Yiddish words like "kvetch" that have been integrated into our language over time.
Kvetch derives from the Yiddish kvetshn and German quetschen meaning to squeeze or press. Other words of Yiddish origin that have found their way into everyday English include:
- kosher = correct according to Jewish law and meanwhile synonymous with legal or proper (I'm not sure this business is kosher)
- schmooze = to make small talk, chat informally (She's great with customers because she really knows how to schmooze)
- kibitz = to sit around and talk or offer unwanted advice (Uncle Joe annoys us with his kibitzing when we play card games)
---
SYNONYMS
bellyache, bitch, carp, complain, gripe, grumble, moan, nag, whine
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"People like to kvetch whenever the trains are running late."
