Yiddish, as many will be aware, is a non territory specific High German language that originated in the Rhineland Ashkenazi culture from about the 10th century onwards. Over the course of time, Yiddish spread outwards over Central and Eastern Europe and eventually to the New World.

Now, two researchers are about to conduct the ‘Survey of North American Jewish Language’ in order to assess to what extent Yiddish and indeed, Hebrew influenced words have found their way into modern ‘American English’. They more specifically wish to determine to what extent and in what manner, several generations after the original Ashkenazi settlers immigrated to the USA, Yiddish words are still used within those communities.

The survey already seems to be a runaway success; initial online questionnaires were sent out two months ago and the researchers were expecting some 2,000 responses…they received over 40,000.

The survey results will take some while to assess; however, many of us will instantly recognise several words and phrases in common use even in England that owe their origins to Yiddish or Hebrew influences:

• “I need that, like I need a hole in the head.”
• ‘Bubba’…commonly used in a slang context but originally meaning ‘Grandmother’.
• ‘Chutzpah’…Nerve, Gall.
• ‘Klutz’…clumsy or uncoordinated.

…to name but a few.

Unlike many, the final write up of this survey looks to be of widespread general interest and I personally look forward to seeing the finished data.