Catchword: rosh katan

Filed under: Hebrew

Part of speech: n.

Quotation: As for the expressions (pronounced “rosh katan”—little head, vs. “rosh gadol”—big head). This expression comes from the IDF, and as most military language, doesn’t quite translate into normal language. A “rosh katan” (literally “little head,” and I actually think it is the original expression which derived most likely from “pinhead,” the contrast later came in as a complement) is someone that does exactly what he’s told. For instance, someone might be told to clean the barrel of their rifle. A “rosh katan” will strictly clean the barrel, perhaps leaving it useless because the trigger mechanism has sand in it, whereas a “rosh gadol” will clean the entire rifle and lubricate it so it’s ready for use and doesn’t rust.

Author:
Tamar Nitzan

Article, document, publication, web site:
Joel on Software

Publishing location:
New York City

Date of publication:
Dec. , 2004

This cite belongs to a full entry for rosh katan.