Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions [Mass Market Paperback]

Arthur Naiman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 1985

dredl: A dump little square top that won't spin right to play with on Chanukah.

from that you make a living?: The correct response to someone who tells you they're an artist, a musician, a writer, or a blue-collar worker.

goyim nakhes: The kind of things that gratify the stereotypical goy-a new motor home, bagging the limit duck hunting, a promotion to major, etc.

mother (Jewish): I don't personally believe that Jewish mothers are all that different from other kinds of mothers. For one thing, my mother was nothing like the stereotype. She used to abandon me on our cabin floor for days at a time while she went out deer hunting...

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

dredl: A dump little square top that won't spin right to play with on Chanukah.

from that you make a living?: The correct response to someone who tells you they're an artist, a musician, a writer, or a blue-collar worker.

goyim nakhes: The kind of things that gratify the stereotypical goy-a new motor home, bagging the limit duck hunting, a promotion to major, etc.

mother (Jewish): I don't personally believe that Jewish mothers are all that different from other kinds of mothers. For one thing, my mother was nothing like the stereotype. She used to abandon me on our cabin floor for days at a time while she went out deer hunting...

About the Author

Arthur Naiman has taught biology to wayward girls in a convent, written ads, and guided boatloads of trusting souls into every rock on several western rivers. His missionary work among the shiksas is legendary.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (December 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345335988
• ISBN-13: 978-0345335982
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur Naiman has authored, co-authored, edited and/or published more than thirty books. In each of those categories, his books have sold millions of copies.

His first bestseller was Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions (which he keeps meaning to put back into print). But he's probably most famous for The Macintosh Bible, which he created, edited and published the first four editions of (and wrote most of as well).

The Macintosh Bible won many awards, including the Boston Com­puter Society's Best Computer Book of the Year, at a time when fewer than 5% of personal computer users had Macs (and thus had any use for the book). It must also be the only computer book that's ever been described, in an unsolicited reader's comment, as being "better than sex."

Naiman founded two publishing companies and started the Real Story Series--short, readable books on political subjects. Although only fourteen previous titles have been published in the series, almost 900,000 copies of Real Story books are in print worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars and from THIS he made a book?, April 9, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions (Mass Market Paperback)

Every Goy's Guide To Common Jewish Expressions is a rather informative guide to Jewish and Yiddish expressions that many younger Jews (and people of other faiths) just don't know. It's cool to be able to leaf through this book and find new expressions or words to talk about with my friends. Some of my Christian friends love the expressions I teach them, too!

As others note, the book is essentially a type of dictionary that lists roughly 500 Yiddish and Hebraic expressions and words and then gives their English translation. Some explanations are extremely funny; these ones are worth the cost of the book alone! The explanations usually range from one word up to two or three paragraphs. However, some definitions of words go into great detail--even discussing nuances of words--for two or three entire pages. You can really learn a lot!

The beginning of the book has a guide that helps people correctly pronounce these words; and at the ending there are suggestions for where you can get some great Jewish food. Terrific!

The quality of the paper isn't that hot; but the binding's made to last a while.

Overall, this is an excellent book for anyone who wants to add a little extra Jewish/Yiddish flavor to their language, emails or writings. Even though it's currently out of print, the price of a used copy is well worth it. You'll learn and laugh--and that's great!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A real treasure, November 24, 1999

By 

Danielle Friedland (Forest Hills, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this book when I was 12 and I still love it (12 years later). It's not a typical dictionary- most definitions include a joke or anecdote about the word or least the word in a really funny sentence. Great for any member of the tribe with a sense of humor or your non-jewish friends who don't get it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a treasure!, June 8, 2000

By 

A. N. Pikarsky (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions (Mass Market Paperback)

I love this book. I bought my first copy 18 years ago, when I was a young and naive shikse engaged to a wonderful Jewish man. At first, it was a tool for self defense (Not such a Goyishe Kup after all,Bubby!). It was funny, breezy, and in very little time, it taught me what the in-laws were saying about me. Soon, I could zing them back in their own words! I recently bought a copy for each of my children. I hope they'll learn about their wonderful linguistic heritage...and laugh themselves silly in the process. Thanks, Mr. Naiman!