Careful with That Teakettle Minicast! - 9 June 2008
What does the Yiddish expression 'hak mir nisht ken tshaynik' mean?
A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over · Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.
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Show Notes
A caller who grew up in New Jersey remembers hearing a neighbor use the expression 'Hak mir nisht ken tshaynik' whenever she wanted to shush someone. He's sure the phrase is Yiddish, but he's never been able to figure out the literal meaning. Grant solves the mystery for him. Hint: It has to do with teakettles.
By the way, you'll find more details about this colorful expression in Michael Wex's book 'Born to Kvetch' here:
http://www.the-yiddish-world-of-michael-wex.com/born-to-kvetch-ch-2.html
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