What’s the Difference Between Shlepping and Shluffing?

After you shlep something, you might need to shluf.

Father carrying two sleeping children.
(Getty)
Advertisement

Yiddish is full of evocative verbs, many of which have found their way into English usage, including shlep and shluf.

Shlep means to haul something, usually with difficulty or reluctance, often over a too-long distance. For example: “I had to shlep these groceries up three flights of stairs.” It can also be used as a noun, referring to a person or a distance. For example: “Don’t make me go to that meeting — it’s such a shlep.” 

Shluf, in contrast, is etymologically linked to the English word sleep and specifically means a short nap. “I’m so tired today, I’m just going to take a little shluf before I make dinner.” It can also refer to the person who is tired, as in: “I’m such a shluf, I can’t seem to get my work done.” In this context, it may shade over into connotations of laziness.

Check out some more Yiddish words that went mainstream.

Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world.

With your help, My Jewish Learning can provide endless opportunities for learning, connection and discovery.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Discover More

What Does the Word Nebbish Mean?

This classic Yiddish archetype describes a person who is always overlooked.

What Does ‘Balabusta’ Mean?

A one-time Jewish homemaker ideal that continues to inspire.

Advertisement