- Today's Word
Kvetch
[k’VECH]
Definition
- (verb) To complain or whine persistently about trivial matters. It’s often used to describe chronic complainers or people who grumble frequently about minor issues.
Example
Instead of kvetching about the long line at the coffee shop, why don’t you try making your own coffee at home?
Fun Fact
“Kvetch” entered the English language from Yiddish in the 1960s. Yiddish, a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, has contributed many colorful words to English. The Yiddish “kvetshn” means “to squeeze” or “to complain,” and is itself derived from Middle High German “quetschen” (to crush). The transition from “squeeze” to “complain” in meaning likely comes from the idea of “squeezing” out complaints. The word’s adoption into English reflects the significant cultural influence of Jewish communities in English-speaking countries, particularly in urban areas of the United States. Its expressive sound and specific connotation have made it a popular choice for describing persistent complainers in a slightly humorous way.
(verb) To solemnly renounce or reject a belief, cause, or claim; to formally swear off something
After years in the extremist group, he publicly abjured its ideology and dedicated himself to counter-radicalization work.
Abjure comes from the Latin abjurare — from ab (“away”) + jurare (“to swear”) — literally meaning “to swear away.” In medieval legal and religious contexts, abjuring was a formal, binding act: a person could abjure a heresy before a church tribunal or abjure the realm, swearing under oath never to return to a country.