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.
Keep My Jewish Learning free. In this season of freedom, help us keep Jewish connection and meaning free for everyone. Your support ensures that anyone seeking Jewish wisdom can find it here, without needing to cross the red sea (or a paywall).
