Customer Reviews

Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions

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4 star:		(4)
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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!

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.

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!

Fun guide to Yiddish with lots of hilarious jokes among the definitions. Don't miss the definition for "schmuck". This book is strictly for fun -- it's not really a dictionary and wouldn't be of much use for learning the Yiddish language. But as a gift for friends who want to know more about Jewish humor and culture it can't be beat.

I don't care if it *is* out of print and we're paying $15 for a used "ok" condition one--It's a wonderful book that should be reprinted and kept in print forever!

Arthur defines 500 common Yiddish expressions, then illustrates each deftly with a (*very* funny) Jewish joke. After reading this many years ago, I got comments from my Jewish friends: "How do you know *that* word??"

I was once describing the book to a friend when I realized I had given away all my copies and decided to go on the then-brand-new Web site everyone was talking about--Amazon.com I think it was called ;-) -- and found used paperback versions (it was already out of print by then) and bought *5* of them so I'd always have some in stock. The experience was so smooth that I've been an Amazon customer ever since. And yes, I ended up giving away all five volumes, so I'm back at Amazon buying one of the few remaining used copies--and paying three times what I paid back then--and NOT COMPLAINING, if that tells you anything.

I'd like to close with some apt Yiddish expression, but I'm too busy laughing at the memory of Arthur's many jokes! Thanks, Arthur! Your first Wordstar book was great, but you'll go down in history for Every Goy's Guide to Common Yiddish Expressions!==best regards, Mac McCarthy.

This is a must-have book for anyone who interacts with Jewish people, or really wants to get all the jokes in movies by Mel Brooks and Woody Allen (you'll be amazed at all you've missed)! Also great for Jews who remember their grandparents speaking Yiddish, but picked up very little to pass on to their own children. Naiman's writing and examples are hysterical, and achieve the very difficult task of translating many Yiddish words and sayings that have no English equivalent. The only downer is that this book is out of print and very hard to come by. Grab it while you can!

This book is a mitzvah if you need Yiddish translations. I keep it by my computer next to Websters so I can quote from it when I need Jewish flavoring in my e mails. A MUST for Jews and a wonderful gift for your non-jewish friends. There are many adorable jokes included.

Have you been around Jewish friends and don't know what theyare talking about? Are you Jewish among Jewish friends and haven't aclue as to what is going on? Calm your anxieties. You too can become yiddishly correct. In today's world it is essential to know key terms in order to communicate with people of varied ethnic groups. What Clinton did for politics (politically correct) you can do in social circles with your Jewish colleagues.

Naiman provides one with over 500 words and expressions common in Jewish culture. He also provides a key for spelling and pronunciation. Learn how to properly spell smuck or is it schmuck? If you can't pronounce kosher you certainly need a course in yiddish. This book is informative and funny but most of all it gives one an appreciation of the language and the enriching culture from which it sprung.

This is a hilarious book every Shicksa (non-Jewish female) should own if you find yourself surrounded around a lot of Jew boys.

This is a well-written, funny and informative look into Yiddish. I (being Jewish) gave it to my girlfriend (Shiksa from Hawaii) so she could understand me more fully. She, in return, gave me "Pidgin to Da Max" so I could understand her. Get this book!