Overview

Oddly, schmuck is a German word. An adjective meaning attractive, or a noun meaning a piece of jewelry. But the Yiddish or Jewish use of the word means almost the opposite. It is a word meaning penis or prick, but is frequently used to indicate an obnoxious or contemptible person. I got interested in the word myself from a Yiddish buddy of mine, who admired Mel Brooks the actor and movie producer-director. My Jewish friend is a rare blend of humorist and intellect -- Barry Hyman -- a tall, well-built former professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. Barry keeps me laughing -- a truly therapeutic experience. Barry and I used to toss the baseball back and forth and then sit and chat for long moments. On one occasion, he presented me with a paper oddly titled Save the word Schmuck and written by Mel Brooks. After his movie Blazing Saddles, I had come to admire Mel as a premier humorist. My interest in the word lingered, and led me to think about situations where the word would surface in a social environment, during verbal encounters. A real schmuck, such a schmuck already, that guy doesn't know diddly shit -- a total schmuck, are some examples. To try and put things into perspective, trying to describe the word schmuck is like trying to portray or depict a sunset or a rainbow while getting soused during your grandson's Bar Mitzvah. So, anyway, read on my noble friend. I hope you enjoy and may your days be merry as you encounter many schmucks.

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9781604149425

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