Local Lingo Primer
One of the most distinctive elements of New York City-speak -- apart from the gruff, in-your-face style epitomized by Robert De Niro in the movie "Taxi Driver" ("You talkin' to me?") and the Long Island and Brooklyn cliché "fuggedabout it"" -- is the preponderance of Yiddish words dropped into conversation by Jews and non-Jews alike. Here's a quick glossary:
chutzpah: guts, daring, audacity
kvetch: complain, gripe
mazel tov: congratulations!
mensch: good person, stand-up guy
meshugeneh: crazy person
oy vey: exclamation of grief or horror
putz: idiot
schlep: drag or haul; to make a tedious journey
schmo: jerk
schmuck: fool
schmear: spread (for instance, cream cheese on a bagel)
schmutz: grime, dirt, the stuff that gets in New York City windows
shvitz: sweat
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
