Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Word of the Week

Are you ready for a word that will make you start singing, "Matchmaker, Matchmaker?".  I've got one.  It's the Jewish American word...

Chutzpah:[khoot-spuh or hoot-spuh] noun;
unmitigated effrontery or impudence; gall.
In the interest of full disclosure, I think I need to fess up to mispronouncing this work with the 'ch' sound.  The only problem now, is I can't decide which pronunciation to use!  Maybe I'll vary it up...or break out my inner Yenta and say it with gusto, then spit on the floor.  Okay, enough with the "Fiddler on the Roof" examples.

I have to say, though, I think the best thing about this word is the definition. You could really get your kid's attention by using the phrase 'unmitigated effrontery'.  I have used 'gall' before. Sometimes I have gall...

On to our sentences, so break out your yamakas.

The inexperienced mother was shocked that the small child had the chutzpah to defy her orders and place her besmirched hand on her business suit; in later years, she would come to expect it.


The nurse charged down the hospital corridor like a bull in a rage, burst through the doorway, and shouted out to the disobedient patient, "I can't believe you had the chutzpah to get out of bed after I specifically told you to wait for me!". 

Just in case you were wondering, this last sentence was inspired by my Dad's latest surgery...he's just that kind of impatient patient!

2 comments:

  1. Can you believe they had the chutzpah to go on vacation after only ONE WEEK of school?!?!

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  2. I lovelovelove the word chutzpah!! Sometimes my dog Charlie has the chutzpah to go through my kitchen trash...even though he knows better!

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