So...a common practice for most foreign students is watching english movies or tv series. Binging on them, to be more accurate.
When we zero in on american cinema, we may observe that there are many phrases and words repeatedly used that do not sound English. Such as "Klutz" or "Tuches".
And they are not. So where do they come from? Well they are actually Yiddish. A language spoken by Ashkenazi Jews — Jews from Central and Eastern Europe. But, again, most of us do not have experience with the enigma known as Yiddish and the only other instances we have heard of it has been in pop culture references such as SNL skits or other television shows.
First of all, though, "how come"? Little do people know, but every major Hollywood studio was actually founded by a group of European Jews. The Oscar award? Founded by Louis B. Mayer — a Jew. The chairmans of Paramount Pictures, the Walt Disney Co., Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., CBS Corp., MBM and NBC Universal? All Jewish. With all those Jews running those major corporations, it’s no wonder most people’s only experience with Yiddish comes from movies and T.V. shows.
So, let's break down some of those phrases and words:
Oy vey—An expression of woe, as in “Oy vey, we left the gefilte fish (Το ψάρι Gefilte είναι ένα πιάτο που παρασκευάζεται από ένα μείγμα αλεσμένων ψαριών χωρίς κόκαλα, όπως κυπρίνος, λευκόψαρο ή λούτσος. Σερβίρεται παραδοσιακά ως ορεκτικό από εβραϊκά νοικοκυριά Ασκενάζι) at the grocery store!”
Putz —A jerk, or a self-made fool, but this word literally means penis.
Schmuck (shmuck)—A jerk, or a self-made fool, but this word literally means penis.
Tuches (tuchis) — Butt, behind, sometimes shortened to tush or tushy.
Klutz — A clumsy person
