Mr. Monday and other tales of Jewish Amsterdam

GLOSSARY 185

Nebbish Term of compassion ("poor man").

Niegish Superstitious belief that a certain act will bring evil upon that person.

Oy weh Cry of lamentation.

Pavilion Side of a diamond.

Pesach Jewish Passover.

Piece de Milieu Table decoration (French). Rachmones Compaasion.

Shabbes Slang for Sabbath, the holy day of the week.

Shlemiel Simple and unlucky person.

Shmooz Tale told to escape responsibility.

Simchath Joy.

Shul Synagogue.

Tochis Posterior, behind.

Tsuris Sorrow.

Unbeschrien-unberufen Magic saying to fend off evil spirits.

Vodde Slang for "vodden" (Dutch: "rags"). Wohnt Lives (German).

Yidd'l mit de Fidd'l Jew with the fiddle (Yiddish).