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a collection of conference tchotchke

Tchotchke (originally from Yiddish tshatshke (often spelled in a variety of other ways because there is no standardized transliteration) (trinket), ultimately from a Slavic word for "toys" — Polish: cacka, Russian: цацки) are trinkets, small toys, knickknacks, baubles, or kitsch. The term has a connotation of worthlessness or disposability, as well as tackiness. The term was long used in the Jewish-American community and in the regional speech of New York City. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 150 languages. ... Image File history File links Tchotchke_image. ... Image File history File links Tchotchke_image. ... Yiddish (ייִדיש, Jiddisch) is a Germanic language spoken by about four million Jews throughout the world. ... Transliteration is the practice of transcribing a word or text written in one writing system into another writing system. ... Trinket may refer to: an object (purchased or traded) or an ornament of little value or worth (at least to one party in the transaction); Trinket Island - an island of the Nicobar Islands (also the name of its main settlement) the former name of New Zealand rock band The Datsuns... Kitsch (pronounced “kich” as in “rich”) is a term of German origin that has been used to categorize art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style. ... A Jewish American (also commonly American Jew) is an American (a citizen of the United States) of Jewish descent or religion who maintains a connection to the Jewish community, either through actively practicing Judaism or through cultural and historical affiliation. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

The word may also refer to swag, in the sense of the logo pens, keyfobs and other promotional freebies dispensed at trade shows, conventions and similar large events. Also, stores that sell cheap souvenirs in tourist areas like Times Square and Venice Beach are sometimes called tchotchke shops. In popular culture, the term swag now usually refers to promotional items or gifts that are given away by companies or organizations. ... A key fob is a decorative item which many people carry with their keys, on a ring or a chain, often to provide a better grip or to simply make a personal statement. ... Times Square Broadway at 42nd St. ... ...

Leo Rosten, author of The Joys of Yiddish, gives an alternate sense of tchotchke as meaning a desirable young girl, a "pretty young thing". Less flatteringly, the term could be construed as a more dismissive synonym for "bimbo". These sexist usages are not widely used outside Jewish circles. The term (in the form tzatzke) is sometimes used in modern Hebrew as a slang word equivalent to "slut." Leo Calvin Rosten (April 11, 1908–February 19, 1997) was born on 11 April 1908 in Lodz, Russian Empire (now Poland) and died on 19 February 1997 in New York. ... The Joys of Yiddish is a lexicon of common words and phrases in the Yiddish language, primarily focusing on those words that had become known to speakers of American English due to the influence of American Jews. ... Bimbo is a term that emerged in popular English language usage in the late 20th Century to describe an often attractive, yet stupid, pliable woman. ... Sexism is discrimination between people based on their Sex rather than their individual merits. ... “Hebrew” redirects here. ... Look up slut in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

External links

• WorldWideWords.org etymology page