This post is part of the 2012 A-Z challenge, created by the intrepid Arlee Bird at: http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/
"O"
I just love the expression "Oy Vay!" It's Yiddish and it really can't be translated literally, but it means oh my goodness, oh my, uh oh, and several other feelings all rolled into one. I didn't grow up in a religious family and my parents didn't speak Yiddish, but the neighborhood I grew up in did have many Jewish families where the language was spoken, so I learned a few things. I have gratitude for Oy Vay because when English words fail me in response to certain things, Oy Vay does it. I think it may even have crossed over to use by those who are not of Jewish heritage. Has it?
Blessings,
Karen
22 comments:
It fits so many situations, I agree with your comments!
I use Oy Vay and not sure why. It just sounds like the right thing to say when I can't find the words to say at the time.
I have never heard those words Karen, so this is something new I have learned today.
Have a good day.
Yvonne.
In England, people shout 'Oi!' quite frequently. It's a way of getting people's attention... a stronger form of 'hey' (and a bit ruder).
Thanks, Claudia,
Stephen, exactly!
Yvonne, that's cool!
Talli, that's interesting.
Karen
I say "Oy vey!" all the time and I'm Catholic -- it's just an excellent expression.
Sometimes it's just the exact right thing to say. I use it like a verbal eye roll. :)
I didn't know the phrase was Jewish.
I grew up listening to my grandmother say 'Oy vey' and it definitely rubbed off. Love the saying. As you wrote, it conveys so many things all in two little words.
Lol! Love it and have a Jewish friend that every time she said it, it put a smile on my face.
I think I might have used this in my novel, or something similar. I have a Jewish book seller, and researched words he might use. I fell in love with some, and this one was one of them. Not sure if I changed it to another I found. Great choice of word, Karen.
That's funny, Karen -- yes, I've been known to use phrase and I'm not Jewish either. This is a clever "O" choice for your theme.
Hey, I love it. I'm going to add it to my vocabulary. I had an elderly German friend years ago; her favorite expression, which I never understood, was something like Gauto, gauto, gauto (?spelling). Anyone know what it means? Feather
I won't tell you what I say when intelligent words fail me.
I've never used it, though I've been living a Jewish life since I was 18 (over 13 years). It would feel really forced and fake if I started bursting out with Yiddishisms. I'm more likely to exclaim something in Slovakian, Russian, or German, since I'm used to reading, hearing, and speaking those languages. My favorite expression, which I use for shock, delight, and exasperation, is the German "Zeigenhaf!" (or however it's spelt). It was one of the stock phrases used by Mozart in the old Mac game The Dissonance Quartet.
I love this post. You have such good writing.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Kathleen, I had no idea so many non-Jewish folks used this word. Guess it has crept into our lexicon.
L.G. It goes perfectly with a eyeball roll.
Diane, it's Yiddish, which is quite similar to German.
Tracy, was your grandma Jewish?
Tracy Jo, yes, it seems to do that to folks.
Glynis, that would be cool if you used it.
Patricia, thanks
Feather, hope someone answers the question
Alex, awww, come on.
Carrie-Ann, thanks
Gina, thank you so much
Karen
I use it all the time. Not Jewish either.
:)
HMG
I'm not Jewish and I love this expression - it conveys so much! :)
I've actually uttered that phrase, although I am totally ignorant of its origins! :)
Yes. Know it and use it. Great expression - so versatile :)
Amanda
http://dramadiceanddamsons.blogspot.co.uk/
yet another phrase I learned watching Seinfeld :)
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