When I was growing up, the lady who owned our local deli used to hold my cheeks and call me  “Shanya Punim.”  I always thought she was talking about pudding and I never understood why.  I was probably 20 when I learned that Shayna Punim  meant – “pretty face.”
One of the things I enjoy about Yiddish is how some of the words actually feel like their meaning. Â Shmootz (dirt/yuk) for example. Â There is no other way to describe shmootz, except that it’s… shmootz.
Another is Mazel Tov (congratulations). Â There’s just something about the words coming as I speak them…I feel jubilant just saying it.
I tried to put some Yiddish in my conversation this morning.
Me: “Did you get the eye shmootz  from the dogs face?”
Him: Â “I did!”
Me (petting the dog): Â Â “Shayna punim.”
Me (to him): Â Mazel Tov!
I hope you can find a few minutes and watch this video of some Jewish Seniors explaining Yiddish.
Grab a  nosh and settle in to hear the mishigas kibitzing all about The Mysteries Of Yiddish
