Did This Yiddish Word Predict the Rise of Trump?

Donald Trump Image by Getty Images

By Josefin Dolsten March 29, 2016

While many are grappling to offer explanations for the unlikely rise of Donald Trump, an obscure Yiddish word may actually have predicted his success.

Trumbenik means a boastful person, and the word bears a striking resemblance to the Republican front runner’s last name.

The Yiddish word comes from the Polish word for trumpet, and aptly describes Trump, who has been known to brag about anything from his wealth, to his penis size and his wife’s looks, writes Lev Raphael for the .

One of the definitions of the word is: “A blowhard, a braggart, a blower of his own horn,” according to “The Joys of Yiddish.”

The Republican front runner frequently cites his wealth as one of the reasons voters should support him.

At a presidential debate in September, Trump introduced himself by bragging about his earnings.

“I’m Donald Trump, I wrote ‘The Art of the Deal.’ I say not in a braggadocious way: I’ve made billions of billions of dollars making deals all over the world, and I want to put that talent to work for this country,” he said.

Last week Trump was criticized for sharing a post on Twitter that contained a picture of his wife, Melania Trump, next to an unflattering image of Heidi Cruz, the wife of Republican candidate Ted Cruz.

“@Don_Vito_08: “A picture is worth a thousand words” @realDonaldTrump #LyingTed #NeverCruz @MELANIATRUMP pic.twitter.com/5bvVEwMVF8”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2016

Trump’s critics have been mocking him by using an alternate spelling of his last name, Drumpf, which comedian John Oliver claimed was the candidate’s family name before it was anglicized.

Josefin Dolsten is a New York-based writer who has reported for the Forward, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Times of Israel and other Jewish publications. She currently works as an account director at Fenton Communications, supporting organizations that work to advance racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights and more. Dolsten earned her B.A. in government from Cornell University and her M.A. in comparative religion and Jewish studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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