Shegetz
Encyclopedia
Shegetz is a Yiddish word that has entered English
to refer to a non-Jewish boy or young man. Although shegetz, like its feminine counterpart shiksa
, comes from the Hebrew
sheketz ("detestable," "abomination", "loathed", "blemish") and literally translates as "rascal", "scoundrel" or "varmint", - its pejorative connotations range from negligible to severe, depending on the context. In former times, it was common practice for Jews in Eastern Europe
who were harassed by youths to label their tormentors shkotzim. Nacham Grossbard of Haifa
, writing in the Memorial Book for the Community of Ciechanów
(1962), recounted these memories of his early years in Poland
:*:At the finish of the match, as soon as the whistle blows, we Jewish boys run as fast as we can, out of breath, all the way home in order not to have stones thrown at us or be hit by the shkotzim (non-Jewish boys(detestable loathed abominations)). http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/Ciechanow/cie197.html
In recent years in the United States
and other English-speaking countries with large populations of bilingual
Yiddish-English speakers, the word has resurfaced, but lost much of its link to the original etymology
of filth and inhumanity.
While shegetz may still be used derogatorily, it has become more of a reference to carefree youths who have traded the set of "Jewish values" for another that is hardly distinguishable from that held by their non-Jewish neighbors.
When a Jew calls another Jew a shegetz, it is often in condemnation of behavior or a lifestyle the speaker does not consider Jewish enough. Some disaffected religious Jews label themselves shkotzim in an ironic take on the word. The term has enjoyed less currency in English than the feminine shiksa
, which may carry particularly strong connotations of licentiousness and promiscuity. However, all the above caveats also apply to the usage of shiksa.
Milon Morfix defגines this word as:
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
to refer to a non-Jewish boy or young man. Although shegetz, like its feminine counterpart shiksa
Shiksa
Shiksa or shikse, is a Yiddish and Polish word that has moved into English usage, mostly in North American Jewish culture, as a term for a non-Jewish woman, initially and sometimes still pejorative but now often used satirically...
, comes from the Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
sheketz ("detestable," "abomination", "loathed", "blemish") and literally translates as "rascal", "scoundrel" or "varmint", - its pejorative connotations range from negligible to severe, depending on the context. In former times, it was common practice for Jews in Eastern Europe
Ashkenazi Jews
Ashkenazi Jews, also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim , are the Jews descended from the medieval Jewish communities along the Rhine in Germany from Alsace in the south to the Rhineland in the north. Ashkenaz is the medieval Hebrew name for this region and thus for Germany...
who were harassed by youths to label their tormentors shkotzim. Nacham Grossbard of Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, writing in the Memorial Book for the Community of Ciechanów
Ciechanów
Ciechanów is a town in north-central Poland with 45,900 inhabitants . It is situated in Masovian Voivodeship . It was previously the capital of Ciechanów Voivodeship.-History:The grad numbered approximately 3,000 armed men....
(1962), recounted these memories of his early years in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
:*:At the finish of the match, as soon as the whistle blows, we Jewish boys run as fast as we can, out of breath, all the way home in order not to have stones thrown at us or be hit by the shkotzim (non-Jewish boys(detestable loathed abominations)). http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/Ciechanow/cie197.html
In recent years in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other English-speaking countries with large populations of bilingual
Multilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
Yiddish-English speakers, the word has resurfaced, but lost much of its link to the original etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
of filth and inhumanity.
While shegetz may still be used derogatorily, it has become more of a reference to carefree youths who have traded the set of "Jewish values" for another that is hardly distinguishable from that held by their non-Jewish neighbors.
When a Jew calls another Jew a shegetz, it is often in condemnation of behavior or a lifestyle the speaker does not consider Jewish enough. Some disaffected religious Jews label themselves shkotzim in an ironic take on the word. The term has enjoyed less currency in English than the feminine shiksa
Shiksa
Shiksa or shikse, is a Yiddish and Polish word that has moved into English usage, mostly in North American Jewish culture, as a term for a non-Jewish woman, initially and sometimes still pejorative but now often used satirically...
, which may carry particularly strong connotations of licentiousness and promiscuity. However, all the above caveats also apply to the usage of shiksa.
Milon Morfix defגines this word as:
(colloquial) a non-Jewish boy ; (colloquial) prankster, little devil : שֵׁיְגֶּץ
See also
- GoyGoyis a Hebrew biblical term for "nation". By Roman times it had also acquired the meaning of "non-Jew". The latter is also its meaning in Yiddish.-In Biblical Hebrew:...
- ShiksaShiksaShiksa or shikse, is a Yiddish and Polish word that has moved into English usage, mostly in North American Jewish culture, as a term for a non-Jewish woman, initially and sometimes still pejorative but now often used satirically...
- Nice Jewish boyNice Jewish boyThe Nice Jewish boy is a stereotype of Jewish masculinity which circulates within the American Jewish community, as well as in mainstream American culture...
- Jewish-American princessJewish-American princessJewish-American Princess or JAP is a pejorative stereotype of a subtype of Jewish-American female. The term implies materialistic and selfish tendencies, attributed to a pampered or wealthy background.-Origins:...
- Jewish mother stereotypeJewish mother stereotypeThe Jewish mother or wife stereotype is a common stereotype and stock character used by Jewish comedians and authors whenever they discuss actual or fictional situations involving their mothers or other females in their lives who possess mother-like qualities...