Just Say Nu

Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do)

Michael Wex

St. Martin's Press

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A cross between Henry Beard's Latin for All Occasions and Ben Schott's Schott's Original Miscellany, JUST SAY NU is a practical guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Along with enough grammar to enable readers to put together a comprehensible sentence and avoid embarrassing mistakes, Wex also explains the five most useful Yiddish words–shoyn, nu, epes, takeh,and nebakh–what they mean, how and when to use them, and how they can be used to conduct an entire conversation without anybody ever suspecting that the reader doesn’t have the vaguest idea of what anyone is actually saying. Readers will learn how to shmooze their way through such activities as meeting and greeting; eating and drinking; praising and finding fault; maintaining personal hygiene; going to the doctor; driving; parenting; getting horoscopes; committing crimes; going to singles bars; having sex; talking politics and talking trash.
Now that Stephen Colbert, a Catholic from South Carolina and host of the "Colbert Report," is using Yiddish to wish viewers a bright and happy Chanukah, people have finally started to realize that there’s nothing in the world that can’t be improved by translating it into Yiddish. Wex’s JUST SAY NU is the book that’s going to show them how.

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Just Say Nu
1Greeting and MeetingHelloIt 's supposed to be simple. An English greeting helps to move two people across the great divide from quiet to conversation, from separation to communication. You say hello, good morning, or good evening, and you get hello, good morning, or good evening in return. Each formula is a well-paved pathway, a gentle ramp that leads easily from one state of being to another.A Yiddish greeting does nothing of the kind. Take a look at the most basic way of saying hello,SHOOLEM ALAYKHEM,which has a literal meaning of "peace upon you.

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 21: "I Will Survive"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "I Will Survive." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 19: "Mr. Big Stuff"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Mr. Big Stuff." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 18: "Happy Birthday"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Happy Birthday." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 10: "Health advice"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Health Advice." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 1: "Good morning"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Good morning." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 7: "Who are you?"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Who Are You?" Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 16: "Mad passion"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Mad passion." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 14: "Driver's ed"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Driver's ed." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 3: "How are you?"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "How are you?" Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 2: "Hello"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the lesson "Hello." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 22: "Things to Say in Germany"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Things to Say in Germany." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 13: "When is an answer not an answer?

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "When is an answer not an answer?" Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 20: "A Yiddish invitation to foreplay

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "A Yiddish invitation to foreplay." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 23: "Things to Say in Germany"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Things to Say in Germany," part 2. Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 24: "A nice way to say goodbye"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "A nice way to say goodbye." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 11: "Perils of assimilation"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Perils of assimilation." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 8: "Not another Christmas"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Not another Christmas." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 9: "A short conversation"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "A short conversation." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 6: "A little Bob Dylan"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "A little Bob Dylan." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 12: "Extravagant praise"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Extravagant praise." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 15: "Looking for action"

ear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Looking for Action." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 5: "As time goes by"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "As time goes by." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 4: "As time goes by"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "As time goes by." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Just Say Nu Yiddish Lesson 17: "Stupid question"

Hear a Yiddish lesson from Michael Wex, author of Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do). In this installment, Wex teaches the humorous lesson "Stupid question." Just Say Nu is a practical and hilarious guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in day-to-day situations. Learn more about the book Just Say Nu at http://us.macmillan.com/justsaynu/MichaelWex Read more about author Michael Wex at http://us.macmillan.com/author/michaelwex

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Reviews

Praise for Just Say Nu

Praise for JUST SAY NU:
 
“With verve, élan and something only a non-Yiddish speaker would call chutzpah, Michael Wex returns to the linguistic mother lode that yielded Born to Kvetch, his brilliant cultural history of Yiddish. This time around in Just Say Nu, he gets down to the everyday business of putting Yiddish to use.”

--NY Times

“This is not your bubbe’s—or Leo Rosten’s—Yiddish. Translator, novelist and performer Wex follows his witty and erudite Born to Kvetch with a colorful, uncensored guide to the idiomatic, use of Yiddish in such areas as “madness, fury and driving.” Wex’s advice on the complex usage of these words can help even the greenest Yiddish speaker.”

--Publisher’s Weekly

Praise for BORN TO KVETCH:

“This treasure trove of linguistics, sociology, history and folklore offers a fascinating look at how, through the centuries, a unique and enduring language has reflected an equally unique and enduring culture.”
–Publishers Weekly
 
“Wise, witty and altogether wonderful…Mr. Wex has perfect pitch.” –William Grimes, The New York Times
“All the wonderful elements of Yiddish language and culture are represented here.  Highly recommended” –Library Journal
 
“A great read for those who know and love Yiddish, and those who just drop the occasional ‘schmuck’ into the conversation.” –New York Press

Reviews from Goodreads

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Leila  rated it  
Dec 1, 2008
thoroughly entertaining with good insight into the psyche of the yiddish speaker. Easy phrases to adopt. loved it! ...more
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Caldwell  rated it  
Dec 31, 2007
This book was fabulous. It was a book on tape which I highly recommed. It's read by the author, And I love his voice, also since it's about a non english language, hearing the pronounciations makes it much easier to get a feel for what's going on. Again, loved it. I have no background in yiddish ...more
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Lynnnadeau  rated it  
Oct 11, 2011
expressive, worth thinking about, .. . ...more
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About the Author

Michael Wex

MICHAEL WEX is a novelist, professor, translator (including the only Yiddish translation of The Threepenny Opera), lecturer, and performer (of stand-up and one person shows). Wex has been hailed as "a Yiddish national treasure" and is one of the leading lights in the current revival of Yiddish, lecturing widely on Yiddish and Jewish culture.  He lives in Toronto.

Michael Wex

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Available Formats and Book Details

Just Say Nu
Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do)
Michael Wex

Hardcover

Hardcover
St. Martin's Press
October 2007
Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312364625
ISBN10: 0312364628
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 320 pages
$23.95

Unabridged Compact Disc

Learn more about this edition
Unabridged Compact Disc
Macmillan Audio
October 2007
Unabridged Compact Disc
ISBN: 9781427201874
ISBN10: 1427201870
Audio Run Time: 7:30
$29.95

Unabridged Digital Audio

Learn more about this edition
Unabridged Digital Audio
Macmillan Audio
October 2007
Unabridged Digital Audio
ISBN: 9781427201881
ISBN10: 1427201889
Audio Run Time: 7:30
$14.95

e-Book Agency

Learn more about this edition
e-Book Agency
St. Martin's Press
October 2007
e-Book Agency
ISBN: 9781429919722
ISBN10: 1429919728
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 320 pages
$6.99
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