Shiksa

Shiksa

"Shiksa" (Yiddish: _yi. שיקסע) or "shikse", is a Yiddish word that has moved into English usage, mostly in North American Jewish culture, that is used as a mock-pejorative term for a non-Jewish woman. Traditionally, the word "shiksa" is used to refer to a non-Jewish woman.

The word "shiksa" is derived from the Hebrew term "sheketz," which means "abomination," "impure," or "object of loathing", depending on the translator. [ [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/11-Miscellaneous/section-7.html Question 19.6: What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean? How offensive are they?] ]

Despite its etymology, the term "shiksa" is widely used and accepted in the United States, where it is often used in a humorous way.

Oddly, "siksa" (pronounced "shiksa") in Polish Gentile culture is a pejorative (but often teasing or affectionate) word for an immature young girl or teenager. It literally means "pisspants" and is roughly equivalent to the Engish terms "snot-nosed brat", "young squirt" or "young goat" ("kid"). (The masculine equivalent is "szczyl")

Although it has Hebrew origins, it was conflated with the Polish word "sikać" ("to urinate") and is therefore a false cognate that is actually equivalent to the Yiddish word "pisher".

In popular culture

"Shiksas" are a frequent subject in Jewish comedy, and the term makes occasional appearances in non-Jewish comedy as well. Comedian and social critic Lenny Bruce wrote a short story about shiksas, and Philip Roth's novel "Portnoy's Complaint" is about a Jewish man's sexual exploits and frustrations with shiksas as well as other women.

In "The Serenity Now" episode of "Seinfeld" a number of Jewish characters show attraction towards Elaine, a gentile. To explain this, George says that she has "shiksappeal" and explains that Jewish men like women who "don't remind them of their mothers". In an episode of the "The Nanny", Fran Fine describes Maggie, the eldest girl in her care, as a "shiksa goddess" to a Jewish boy she wants Maggie to date. In a later episode, when Fran tries to fake a heart attack, Maggie explains that "Jewish guilt" doesn't work on shiksas.

Jason Robert Brown's musical "The Last Five Years" is about the relationship between a Jewish man and gentile woman, and features a song titled "Shiksa Goddess" that explores the main character Jamie's desire for a non-Jewish woman. Alt-rock group Say Anything's 2007 song "Shiksa (Girlfriend)" explores similar themes.

ee also

*Shegetz

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • shiksa — (n.) gentile girl, in Jewish culture, 1892, from Yiddish shikse, from Heb. siqsa, from sheqes a detested thing + fem. suffix a …   Etymology dictionary

  • shiksa — [shik′sə] n. a woman or girl who is not Jewish: term of mild contempt: also sp. shikse, shikseh …   English World dictionary

  • Shiksa — Une shiksa (ou « shikse » yiddish : שיקסע), désigne en yiddish une femme non juive, plus spécifiquement une jeune fille fiancée ou mariée à un homme juif. Le terme pourrait être dérivé du terme hébraïque sheketz, qui signifie… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Shiksa (Girlfriend) — Infobox Single Name = Shiksa (Girlfriend) Cover size = Border = Caption = Artist = Say Anything Album = In Defense of the Genre A side = B side = Released = Start date|2007|10|15 Format = Digital download Recorded = Genre = Indie rock Length =… …   Wikipedia

  • shiksa — or shikse noun Etymology: Yiddish shikse, feminine of sheygets non Jewish boy, from Hebrew sheqeṣ blemish, abomination Date: 1872 1. often disparaging a non Jewish girl or woman 2. a Jewish girl or woman who does not observe Jewish precepts used… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • shiksa — /shik seuh/, n. Yiddish (often disparaging). 1. a girl or woman who is not Jewish. 2. a Jewish girl or woman whose attitudes and behavior are felt to resemble those of a gentile. Also, shikse. Cf. shegetz. * * * …   Universalium

  • shiksa — noun a) non Jewish girl, . b) maiden See Also: shegetz …   Wiktionary

  • shiksa — South African Slang Origin: South African Jewish slang as in other Jewish communities, this means non Jewish girl . Traditionally slave girl , from the Yiddish version of the Hebrew word for dirty, unclean, loathsome . Originally a servant… …   English dialects glossary

  • shiksa —  (Yid.) Disparaging term for a non Jewish girl …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • shiksa — n American a non Jewish female. A Yiddish term used by Jews of gentiles often, but now adays not always, pejoratively …   Contemporary slang

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