kvetch

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“
Yiddish is especially versatile in describing those poor souls who inhabit the world of the ineffectual, and each is assigned a distinct place in the gallery of pathetic types: schmo, schmendrik, schnook, schmegegge, schlep, schlub, schmuck, putz, klutz, kvetch, and nudnik.

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. intransitive verb To complain persistently and whiningly.
  2. noun A chronic, whining complainer.
  3. noun A nagging complaint: "a rambling kvetch against the system” (Leonard Ross).

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Examples

  • Yiddish is especially versatile in describing those poor souls who inhabit the world of the ineffectual, and each is assigned a distinct place in the gallery of pathetic types: schmo, schmendrik, schnook, schmegegge, schlep, schlub, schmuck, putz, klutz, kvetch, and nudnik. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XI No 3
  • To the so-called experts on the Yiddish word "kvetch": The "k" is not silent, but maybe you should be. —  Daily Tar Heel RSS
  • It takes its name from the Yiddish word "kvetch," which means to complain or nag. —  JustNews.com - Local News
  • It may make you feel better to gripe, kvetch, and moan on the tubez about the Afghanistan policy, but there are two big events coming up in the next 48 hours that perhaps we can still impact. —  Corrente
  • One, who would be sure to know. —  Ilse Witch
 

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Kvetch has been looked up 549 times, favorited 3 times, listed 53 times, and commented on twice.

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Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Yiddish kvetshn, to squeeze, complain, from Middle High German quetzen, quetschen, to squeeze.
 

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