Reply To: The Importance of Yiddish

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#666442
sammygol
Member

Jothar

There is a very interesting source for the word Parve. It’s probably derived from lishkas beis naparva, wherein the Cohen Gadol was in neither bigdei zahav, nor in bigdei lovon. Thus, although used in Yiddish, it’s actually a Mishnaic Hebrew term. It isn’t Yiddish, besides, it is used in English, as well.

Then there is the heiliger kugel! While many people, especially those who did not live in Europe, nor speak any European languages, claim that its origin is from “KeUgol”, meaning round or ball shape, the origin is German, indeed. Kuegel is German for round shaped object. Why need the elaborate explanation that it’s LIKE a round, when it simply means that, without Kaf hadimyon. The same goes with cholent, or chulent, or whatever ingredients one wishes to overcook. Its origin is from Provancal challet, mentioned in books over the centuries, both Jewish and not. It is not derived from “SheLon”, as in stayed on the stove overnight. Lina is actually not a halachic cooking term, anyhow.

Other than tedious explanations trying to tie Loshon Hakodesh origins for distinctly Yiddish words, there is myriad terms that do come from TNa”CH, Gemara, Midroshim, and those are beautiful, as are some untranslateable Yiddish expressions.

With all that said, the kedusha lies with the people who speak it, not with the language itself.