Pronunciations
| Kratsmach | (KRATS-mach) | listen |
Definitions
n. Christmas.
Example Sentences
-
"This leads to the obvious question at this time of year as to whether there is a heter to pronounce the name of Xmas, as opposed to Kratzmach or some other such corruption. It is exceedingly difficult to function in the modern workplace without uttering this word."
-
"What’s next, kratsmach decorations in order to make goyim pat you on the shoulder and say attaboy?!" (source)
Languages of Origin
- Yiddish
- English
Etymology
קראַץ מיך krats mikh 'scratch me,' based on similar sound to English "Christmas"
- Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)
- Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
- North America
- Great Britain
- South Africa
- Australia / New Zealand
- View More
- None
Who Uses This
Regions
Dictionaries
Alternative Spellings
Kratsmakh, Kratzmach, Kritzmach, Chritzmach, Kratsmikh, Kratzmech
Notes
This is an in-group, often tongue-in-cheek, way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ. It was likely coined by a bilingual Yiddish-English speaker in the United States, and today it is common among Orthodox Jews.
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