About this glossary: This is the author's original appendix to Volume Two — words and expressions that became part of the Yiddish language in America (and England) and that do not belong to the tongue of our old home. (The translations are given here only in the sense in which the word is used in this work.) The headwords are the English and American words Cahan transliterated; section dividers show the Yiddish letter under which each group is alphabetized in the original. The glossary half-title is printed page 445 (page 446 is blank); the entries begin on page 447. Printed pages 445–458; numerals such as 447 mark the start of each printed page.
א
447agreement—contract, arrangement.
advertising—announcements, advertisements.
advertisement—announcement, advertisement.
overalls—work outfit.
overtime—more working hours than the usual workday.
outing—excursion, walk.
outside—from outside.
outsider—not one of our own people.
furnished—furnished.
attend—to take care of; to be present, to be there (at a meeting or a performance).
evening school—evening school.
idol—someone whom people idolize.
agent—agent.
ice-box—ice chest.
island—island.
him—he (objective form).
Irishman, Irish—Irishman.
aisle—passage between the seats in a theater or an assembly hall.
oilcloth—oilcloth.
improvements—improvements, new conveniences.
investment—invested capital.
interview—to have a conversation for a newspaper.
inside—inside.
insurance—insurance, savings policy.
East—east.
East Side—East Side (the old Jewish district in New York).
issue—point of contention between two political parties.
all right—good, fine.
Uncle Sam—a figure of an old American who represents the United States.
association—society.
assistant—assistant.
assembly—the legislature of a state in the United States.
assemblyman—a member of a state legislature.
appointment—a time set for a meeting; a post designated to be held by someone.
appointed (was)—was appointed, got the post.
apartment—a dwelling of several rooms in a large building.
upset—pushed away/jammed up.
uptown—uptown.
appeal—petition, appeal, complaint to a higher court; a call/summons.
open air—under the open sky.
448operator—the one who works at a machine.
afford—to manage/be able (to prove, to demonstrate).
office—bureau, office.
officer—officer, official, policeman.
order—an association of united members for mutual aid (see "lodge").
moved in—moved in (settled in).
orator—orator.
orange—orange.
ב
board—board (meals); a council, a committee of directors, administrators.
board of aldermen—city council.
board of education—education department of a city government.
bottle—flask, little bottle.
botch—to botch up, to bungle.
botcher—bungler.
boy, boychik—little boy.
bundle—a little bundle.
bundler—bundle-peddler (peddler in front of tailors).
boss—boss, employer.
boxing gloves—gloves for sport-fighting.
bar—serving counter, buffet.
barber—barber, hairdresser.
bargain—a bargain.
boarding house—boarding house, lodging.
boarder—boarder, one who rents meals and lodging.
bootlegger—bootlegger.
booze—illicit liquor.
butcher—butcher.
butcher shop—meat shop.
birthday—birthday.
boom—a sudden growth, upsurge.
bookkeeper—bookkeeper.
bushel—a unit of measure, a measuring vessel (for grain, etc.).
busy—busy; when there is a lot of work.
business—business.
business card—business card.
businessman—businessman.
baby—child, little infant.
bail—bail, money deposit for an arrested person until the trial ends.
baseball—American game played with a ball.
bicycle—bicycle.
basement—cellar room.
baked beans—baked beans (like from cholent).
bakery—the shop where baked goods are sold, bakery.
building—building.
builder—the one who builds.
bill—bill, account; banknote, paper money.
beat—to beat, to surpass.
bluff—a lie, a false pretense.
block—a block (from one corner to the next).
449blizzard—snowstorm.
bag—sack, little sack.
badge—a kind of medal, or a sign, that one is a member.
bedroom—bedroom.
bail—(see "bail").
benefit—benefit, support; use/profit.
broker—broker.
broom—broom.
bricklayer—bricklayer.
bread line—a line of poor people waiting for bread.
branch—branch, division.
breakfast—breakfast.
ג
governor—governor.
guide—guide.
garbage—refuse.
well-off—well-to-do, not poor.
good girl—well-behaved girl.
good night—good night.
gas—gas.
tried—strove, attempted; was tried (in court).
challenged—called out.
game—game.
gambling house—gambling den.
meet, met—gathered together at a meeting.
stopped—ceased, halted.
sacked—dismissed from a post, from work.
spent—spent.
published—made public.
fixed (graft)—repaired/fixed.
shaved—shaved, shaven.
ground floor—bottom story.
groceries—food items.
grocery store—food shop.
grievance committee—a committee that hears complaints.
Greater New York—the city of New York together with surrounding towns.
grammar—grammar.
grammar school—elementary school.
graft—graft, dishonest (non-kosher) earnings of an official.
ד
downtown—downtown.
downstairs—down the stairs.
dumbwaiter—a small lift for raising or lowering food or refuse.
docks—where ships dock.
derby hat—a kind of men's hat.
job—work, post.
judge—judge.
joke—jest, witticism.
jewelry—jewelry.
jury—the twelve jurors at a trial.
jail—prison.
general—general; general (in the general sense).
general sessions—name of a criminal court in New York.
450jacket—little coat, jacket.
dues—contribution, membership fee in an association.
dining room—dining room.
dinner—midday meal.
district—district, region.
district attorney—prosecutor.
district court—lower court.
director—director.
dishes—dishes.
detective—secret policeman.
desk—writing table.
Department of Justice—Ministry of Justice.
deck—deck of a ship.
derrick—a hoisting machine.
druggist—pharmacist.
drug store—pharmacy.
drawer—drawer, table compartment.
drawers—underpants.
dress—a dress.
ה
House of Representatives—the house of deputies in Washington.
homework—schoolwork that the pupil prepares at home.
high school—high school.
hall—assembly hall.
hall-keeper—owner of assembly halls.
wholesale—wholesale, in bulk.
Hebrew—Jewish, Hebrew (adj.); Hebrew (language).
hit—success.
head worker—chief activist/worker.
headquarters—headquarters.
hat—hat.
handbill—flyer, leaflet.
handkerchief—handkerchief, nose-cloth.
ו
vote—vote, voting.
vote (to)—to vote.
watch—a timepiece carried on one's person.
watchmaker—watchmaker.
walk—to go, to stroll.
wages—wages of a worker.
waiter—waiter.
waist—blouse; bodice; waist.
waist (little)—little blouse.
window—window.
well—so, well, all right.
West—west.
West Side—West Side.
warehouse—storehouse, granary.
ט
top floor—highest story.
Thanksgiving—a praise to God.
Thanksgiving Day—a national holiday when the American people thank God for the good He does for them.
turkey—turkey.
tomb—grave.
451tombs—graves (this is what the city jail in New York is called).
teacher—teacher.
typewriter—writing machine; one who writes on such a machine.
typewriter (f.)—a woman who writes on such a machine.
ticket—ticket; slate of candidates; list of candidates.
Tammany—the name of a political organization in New York.
temperance—abstention from drinking.
tenement house—a building with many apartments.
tenant—one who lives in a rented apartment.
taxes—taxes.
trouble—troubles, difficulties.
trade—craft, profession, commerce.
trade union—professional association.
Trade and Labor Alliance—federation of workers' associations, unions.
train—train.
trial—a lawsuit, a trial.
trial (v.)—to litigate, to go to law.
try—to try, to make an effort.
trim—to adorn, to garnish.
trip—journey.
trick—trick, prank.
tramp—vagrant, vagabond.
chance—prospects, chance.
church—church.
children—children.
chief rabbi—chief rabbi.
chicken—hen.
cheer—shout of hurrah.
challenge—to call out to a fight or to a wager.
check—mark; order for money.
chair—chair.
chairlady—chairwoman.
chairman—chairman.
י
yard—courtyard.
United States—the United States.
Europe—Europe.
Yankee—Yankee, a genuine American from the first English colonies in the northern states.
ל
law—law, jurisprudence.
law office—lawyer's office.
lodge—association (one of a federation of mutual-aid associations. The whole federation is called "Orden" or "Order").
lot—the plot, the piece of ground on which a house is built.
lawyer—lawyer.
lumber—timber, logs.
lunch—light meal.
lockout—when a manufacturer shuts out all his workers.
452loop-the-loop—a playful swing for amusement.
leader—leader.
labor—work.
Labor Day—workers' holiday (the first Monday in September).
labor lyceum—workers' lyceum, workers' center.
label—a pasted-on inscription.
library—library.
librarian—librarian.
line—line, row.
linoleum—thick oilcloth.
lease—a contract on a house that one takes on rent.
leaflet—flyer.
legislature—law-making assembly, parliament; the chamber of deputies and senate of an individual state.
letter box—letter box.
letter-carrier—postman, letter-carrier.
landlord—owner of a house.
lesson—lesson.
lecture—lecture, talk, paper.
lecturer—one who gives a lecture.
מ
motion—proposal.
manufacturer—manufacturer.
monkey—monkey, ape.
mortgage—mortgage (when one pledges a house).
market—market.
movie—cinema, cinematograph, movies.
move—to move oneself; to move, to send another away.
Middle West—the central part of America (to the west of New York), around Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago.
meet—to assemble, to have a meeting.
maker—one who makes.
militia—militia.
misappropriation—when one takes another's property.
mistake—error.
missis—landlady, the woman who keeps lodgers; half in jest it also means a wife ("his missis" — his wife).
mayor—head of a city, burgomaster.
member—member.
manager—administrator.
merry-go-round—a carousel ride.
נ
nomination—the putting forward of a candidate.
nominate—to put forward a candidate.
north—north side.
New Year's—New Year.
newsboy—newspaper carrier.
nuisance—unpleasant thing, disturbance.
453knee-pants—short little trousers.
never mind—no worry! it doesn't matter! not necessary!
necktie—necktie.
next door—next door.
next-door (f.)—a neighbor woman who lives door-to-door with one.
national—national.
ס
subway—underground city railway.
sub-committee—sub-committee.
south—south.
sign—a sign.
salary—salary, wages of an employee.
saloon—a tavern.
saloon-keeper—tavern-keeper.
song—song, singing.
Sunday supplement—Sunday supplement.
society—association, society.
suspenders—suspenders.
support (v.)—to support, to maintain.
supplement—supplement.
supper—supper.
suffer—to suffer.
socks—socks.
success—success.
sweating shops—(sweat shops) wretched workshops.
sweater—owner of a wretched workshop; one who makes others sweat.
454suit—suit, costume.
circulation—circulation (how many newspapers are sold).
suspenders—(see "suspenders").
superintendent—administrator, director.
supreme court—high court.
stove—iron oven.
stop—stop, halt.
stop (v.)—to stop, to halt.
stock—goods prepared for sale.
stockings—stockings (for ladies).
star—lead actor.
store—shop.
store-keeper—shopkeeper.
stoop—steps at a house.
steward—servant on a ship.
state—state, one of the parts of which the United States consists.
statement—declaration, assertion.
station—station.
station-house—police office.
steerage—third class on a ship.
steady job—steady work.
stamp—postage stamp, similarly printed little slips.
stand—a table on which one sells something on the street.
street—street.
street-car—tramway.
strike—strike.
season-trade—a craft in which one works only in certain seasons.
seat—a place to sit.
city—city.
city hall—town hall.
citizen—citizen.
sidewalk—sidewalk.
save—to save, to economize.
ceiling—ceiling, beam.
silk stocking—pampered like an aristocrat.
Sing Sing—the name of a prison in New York State.
sealskin—such a fur (the pelt of a sea-dog/seal).
secret ballot—secret ballot.
circulation—(see "circulation").
sleeping-car—sleeping car.
slang—street language.
slack—when there is no work.
smart—clever.
snob—show-off, empty dandy.
set—a set (a set of books, plates, etc.).
settlement—settlement, reconciliation.
salary—(see "salary").
sample—sample, specimen, pattern.
second-hand (f.)—used.
sack—to dismiss from a position.
secretary—secretary.
secretary of state—state minister.
section—section, division.
speech—speech.
split—split, division.
spell—to spell out.
spend—to spend.
spender—a spendthrift.
spring—spring (coil); springtime.
sky-scraper—sky-scratcher (very tall building).
scarf-pin—a pin for a necktie.
school—school (for children to learn).
scheme—a plan, a cunning "scheme."
scab—strike-breaker.
scrub—to scour, to rub.
ע
edition—edition.
avenue—a large street.
Ethical Culture Society—an association for the development of morals.
attic—garret room.
elevator—lift.
elevated—city railway that runs up high.
elected—elected.
elections—elections.
455election returns—the result of elections, the figures showing how many votes each candidate received.
engagement—betrothal, betrothal celebration, marriage contract; an agreement to meet with someone.
entertainment—entertainment, amusement.
essay—article, treatise.
assignment—the work that is given out to a staff member, a reporter.
extension—addition, enlargement.
extra—special newspaper edition.
excursion—a pleasure trip.
פ
pawnshop—a pawnshop, where money is borrowed against a pledge.
publicity—publicity, announcements, advertisements.
public—the public; public, communal.
public school—folk school.
publish—to publish.
publishing association—a society to print a newspaper or books.
publisher—publisher.
potatoes—potatoes.
pie—a pastry filled with fruit, cheese, etc.
politician—a politician.
police captain—police captain.
policy—politics, tactics.
polish—to clean, to polish.
pocket—pocket.
party—an entertainment in a private home; a party (political).
partition—a partition, a separating wall.
partner—partner.
parlor—hall, parlor.
purser—the treasurer of a ship.
pull—protection, "a seat at the table."
page—a page in a book or a newspaper.
pilot boat—the little boat that shows a large ship the way.
painter—painter.
paper—paper; newspaper.
pier—where ships dock in a harbor.
picture—picture.
picket—the one who watches so that there are no strikebreakers.
pleasure—pleasure.
peddler—the one who carries goods around to sell.
patent—patent (chiefly on an invention).
pail—a pail.
proxy—the one who takes the place of a delegate.
prison—prison, jail.
456printer—printer.
principal—director of a school.
Prince Albert coat—a long coat.
press federation—an association to put out a newspaper.
fight—fight, struggle.
phonograph—gramophone.
furrier—fur worker, furrier.
farm—farm.
foreman—overseer, the senior one at the work.
mortgaged—mortgaged, pledged (like a house or furniture, where the thing stays with you, but if you don't pay, it is taken away from you).
farmer—farmer.
to farm out—to hire out, to lease.
furniture—furniture.
furnished rooms—furnished rooms.
full evening dress—the clothing in which a man dresses up for a ball or a banquet (in a tailcoat, etc.).
feature—a facial feature; a series of articles to attract readers.
fight—fight.
fighter—fighter, "boxer."
faker—liar, swindler.
finisher (female)—a helper in tailoring.
to fix—to repair, to put right; to play a trick.
floor—floor; story (on the third floor — on the third story).
factory—factory.
farewell address—farewell letter, farewell speech.
ferry—ferry.
Ferris wheel—such a round wheel for amusing oneself.
free—free.
ק
cowboy—the one who works with the oxen on the big farms in the western regions of America.
coat—coat; ladies' overcoat.
county—a part of a state (district, county).
counter—counter, the long table on which a shopkeeper sells his goods.
country—outside the city, country, settlement.
court—court.
cousin—cousin.
cottage—a nice wooden house (not a large one).
cutter—cutter.
column—columns of a newspaper.
collar—collar.
college—a university for general education.
collector—the one who collects; the one who demands payment.
collection—collection.
457come in!—come in!
commuter—the one who lives outside the city and comes into the city every day for business.
committee—committee.
commission—brokerage.
common law—English laws, established from olden times.
campaign—election struggle; an energetic movement to collect votes, donations, signatures, or for some other purpose.
congress—the senate together with the chamber of deputies in Washington, the parliament of the United States.
convention—a gathering of delegates.
contribution—contribution.
customer—customer.
customer peddler—the one who brings things into the home to be paid off in installments.
custom tailor—a tailor who works on orders from customers.
caucus—a consultation of a faction of a party.
car—car, streetcar.
car line—streetcar line.
carfare—what is paid for riding on a streetcar.
cords—stacked chopped wood.
corner—corner, angle.
carpet—carpet, rug.
carpenter—carpenter, joiner.
kitchen—kitchen.
case—lawsuit, case.
club—a policeman's short hard stick; club.
clothing store—clothing store.
cloaks—women's coats.
o'clock—wall clock (five o'clock — five o'clock).
clean—clean.
to clean—to clean.
cake—pastry, sweet cake.
campaign—(see "campaign").
candy—candy, confections.
cap—a cap.
cash—cash money.
crowd—a mass of people.
to cross—to cross over to the other side of the street, road, or river.
Christmas—Christmas, the birthday of Christ.
credential—mandate.
cranberry sauce—cranberry sauce.
crank—an eccentric person.
ר
riot—riot, mass attack.
royalty—payment that comes to a writer for each copy of his book that is sold, or for each time his play is performed.
458rolls—rolls, buns.
rocking chair—rocking chair.
room—room.
rooming house—a house where rooms are let to lodgers.
roomer—lodger.
roof—roof.
reader—a school booklet for reading (chrestomathy).
retail—to sell individually, not wholesale.
riot—(see "riot").
rider—rider.
races—a race, a running contest.
recess—recess, break time at school.
reception room—reception room.
real estate—land, or houses.
review—to review, inspect (a procession).
reverend—an esteemed one (the word is used for a rabbi, a clergyman, chiefly for a non-Jewish one, or another "holy vessel" who goes dressed "holy").
resignation—resignation (when one gives up a position).
razor—razor.
razor—(see "razor").
relief—relief, help.
rent—rent money.
to rent—to rent, to lease.
rank and file—the masses, the crowd.
report—report.
reporter—news gatherer for a newspaper.
reformer—reformer.
ש
shop—workshop, factory.
shoe store—shoe store.
shirt—shirt.
to shave—to shave.
shops (plural)—factories, workshops.
cheroot—such a cigar, a long and a thin one.
sheriff—court policeman, court police chief.