Yiddish is a difficult language to translate, yet there are endless attempts at expressing these indefinite words that have happily snuck into every day American speak. Nosh is perhaps one of the most commonly heard, yet how can you really describe this term? One definition declares, “nosh: to eat.” Simple enough, but for me it simply doesn’t capture the essence of nosh. The definition goes on: compare to German nashen, to nibble. That seems a bit closer to home. Urban Dictionary defines nosh: “to snack on.”
So what is a ‘nosher’?
I have vivid memories when I was younger of my Uncle Barry, who always kept a snack close at hand – in the car, in his office, in his gym bag – wherever. My grandma Phoebe (think Fran Drescher’s mother from The Nanny meets George Costanza’s mother) would remark about her eldest son, “your Uncle Barry – he’s such a naaaaasher!” And while it might sound like a disparaging remark, indeed, it was said with considerable love, and almost respect, for his affection for snacking.
But a love of nosh goes beyond Yiddish definitions, and beyond mere nibbles or snacks. ‘To nosh’ is about a love of food, keeping food close at hand, and a Jewish connection.
So stay tuned for noshing news, recipe ideas and hopefully a connection to your love of food and love of Jews.
