Today’s prompt:
“Time to confess: tell us about a time when you used a word whose meaning you didn’t actually know (or were very wrong about, in retrospect).”
At one time I often used the word “schmuck” to describe a person who was annoying, obnoxious, stupid, or just a plain screw-up. I liked using that word because I thought it sounded funny and was a lot softer than a word like “idiot” or something more vulgar. It also had a satisfying feel when it came tripping off the tongue. “He’s such a schmuck!”.
One day I used that word in the office to describe someone for a reason I have long forgotten. My supervisor at the time who had some familiarity with Yiddish said “do you know what that word means?”
I told her what I thought it meant. Then she told me what it really meant. Uh-oh.
You will need to read the definition on Wikipedia to find out. Let’s just say that word is forbidden in some Yiddish speaking households.
So the lessons I learned from that are this:
- Don’t borrow words from other languages unless you check the meaning first.
- Even more important: don’t think so poorly of others that you end up calling them names — in any language.
From this experience I learned it is better to be a mensch than a schmuck.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/dictionary-shmictionary/
August 1, 2015 at 5:19 pm
I will say that after investigating what the real meaning of that word is, that I too have been calling people something I didn’t intend. I thought it meant obtuse, I really did. I won’t be using it again I can tell you. Thanks for the heads up!
August 1, 2015 at 6:19 pm
Glad to help. I strive now not to think or say anything like that about others.
August 1, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Here’s another one heading for the dictionary. http://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/08/01/foreign-tongues-2/
August 1, 2015 at 7:37 pm
Well, your post and mine do have something in common! Also Marilyn Armstrong’s. I see a theme emerging here. http://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/08/01/foreign-tongues-2/
August 1, 2015 at 9:13 pm
I’m going to make that my word of the day on Monday. Bwahahahahaaaa
August 1, 2015 at 9:39 pm
I am not surprised. 😀