Kibitz is the Oxford English Dictionary’s ‘Word of the Day’ — but their definition will surprise you
The Oxford English Dictionary’s online word of the day is kibitz.
However, the dictionary’s first definition is a bit jarring for Americans who are accustomed to the using the word as a colloquialism for warm, friendly chatter.
Instead, the OED defines it as “To watch (a card game or card player) as a spectator, typically while offering (unwelcome) advice or criticism,” and includes the more positive meaning of kibitz as a secondary definition: “To chat, banter, or joke (with a person), esp. in a lighthearted or informal manner; to fool around.”
The word comes from the German word kiebitzen.
The dictionary also offers several spellings, including kibitz, kibetz, kabitz and kibbitz.
The post Kibitz is the word of the day! appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
