On Time Is Late

Smart saying I heard today on time management:

Early is on time.
On time is late.
Late is unacceptable.

Having grown up in a very precise environment,  I can certainly appreciate this. 

Seriously, from a Yekke (Jewish German background), we were taught to be 15 to 30 minutes early–i.e. on time–for everything. 

I remember starting to get “little” reminders to get ready and get out the door well in advance and numerous times before the clock struck. 

Fashionably late or any other type is not in the vocabulary and frankly is a complete f*ckin insult. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Funnier In Yiddish

Yiddish is a language with words derived primarily from German, Hebrew, and Aramaic.

When someone wants to know if you speak Yiddish, sometimes, they just say, “Do you speak Jewish?” 

Many of the Yiddish words are popular and have become commonplace in our communications now-a-day. 

One of my friends used to say, “Jokes are always funnier in Yiddish.”

And sure enough, there is something about Yiddish words, pronunciations, and nuances that make getting a point across very potent and at the same time, quite humorous. 

Take the words on this eduational Yiddish poster–it’s like the Yiddish words just sound like and makes perfect sense for what it is (see how many you recognize):

– Bagel – Bagel 

– Chazar – Pig

– Chootspah (chutzpah) – Gall 

– Gonif – Thief

– Imglick – Luck

– Klutz – Clumsy

– Kvitch (kvetch)- Complainer

– Macher – Big shot

– Mishugina (mashugana) – Crazy

– Noodnik – Annoying

– Pipik – Belly Button

– Shlep – Lug 

– Shmootz – Dirt

– Shnops (schnapps) – Liquor

– Shvigger – Mother-in-law

– Trafe – Unkosher

– Tsooris – Problems

– Yenta – Talker

– Zoftig – Fat

There is one more word not on the list here that is probably recongizable and that is a “shmuck,” which refers to a contemptable person, but literally refers to a man’s private parts–ah, maybe that’s why it’s not on the picture poster. 😉

(Source photo: Andy Blumenthal)