Growing up Jewish (what? Eisenberg wasn’t a hint?), I have listened to Yiddish-infused English my whole life, so I actually understand people when they talk about schmattes, shmendriks and bupkes. However, while the Jewish folk out there might get it, the words seem like gibberish to anyone unfamiliar with their use.
Enter the Coen Brothers. Their next film, A Serious Man (trailer here), is about a Jewish man who, as his life is falling apart, seeks the help of three rabbis to get his life back in order. Ever the wordsmiths, the Coens have evidently peppered their script with phrases from the distinctive yet dying language. Thankfully, Focus Films, the movie’s distributor, has created a glossary of terms to help the gentiles out there know what is going on. Unwilling or unable to bring the glossary into the theater? Find a -berg, -stein, -man or even a Coen and bring them to the theater with you. I’m sure they will be able to help.
Check out the link to the glossary after the jump.
BONUS:
Eric Eisenberg
Amani
Cut the meshugas we gentiles know a little something