Hebrew Slang, Jargon, and New Words from Double-Tongued Dictionary

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rosh katan n. During the Intifada, Israeli conscripts often displayed a so-called rosh katan ("small head") syndrome, a pejorative term referring to a “know-nothing” or “low-profile” attitude. [Hebrew Israel] [full cite] (Feb. 4, 2005)

rosh katan n. This attitude was known among Israeli troops as “small head” (in Hebrew, “Rosh Katan"), meaning someone who avoids taking responsbility, initiating actions, or diverting from proscribed procedures and instead maintains a “low profile.” [Hebrew Israel] [full cite] (Feb. 4, 2005)

rosh katan n. 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. [Hebrew] [full cite] (Feb. 4, 2005)

shabachim n. The youths chuckled at the Hebrew term used to describe them, shabachim, which comes from a government acronym referring to people staying illegally. The same term is used for Palestinians who enter Israel without permits. [Hebrew Israel] [full cite] (Aug. 19, 2005)

shvizut n. The Jewish soldier has had to invent a colorful language to express such extreme emotional states as shvizut (state of being depressed, dispirited, and fed up with everything; literally: “broken penis") and zula (an ultimate state of being relaxed and laid back). [Hebrew Israel] [full cite] (Dec. 6, 2004)

vusvus n. Yet another mindless leftist VusVus cosmopolitan stupidity. Humans have slaughtered each other for universalistic reasons (as in revolutionary France, Russia or China) as least as often as they have slaughtered each for narrow tribal reasons. Groveling cosmopolitan VusVusim were stunned when the Nazis came for them. [Hebrew Religion Derogatory] [full cite] (Mar. 13, 2005)

vuzvuz n. I have a new favorite word. It’s slang, but not (as it was explained to me, though it’d be useful to know if someone else out there disagrees) derogatory, for an Ashkenazi* person. The word is “vuzvuz,” ie “That vuzvuz over there by the bus stop…” Why that word, you might ask? Because the Askenazim always asking, “Vus is dis? Vus is dat?” I’m not kidding. That’s really the reason. [Hebrew] [full cite] (Mar. 13, 2005)

vuzvuz n. And now, since when Iraq is the Medirerranean, no disrespect intended? since when Ovadia is a Med? Again the Ashkenaziut showing its ear! “anything not vuzvuz is the Med, ya’ani Sefardim, Españolim, the lot.” [Hebrew Religion Derogatory] [full cite] (Mar. 13, 2005)

vuzvuz n. Speaking of pejoratives, have you heard the term “vuzvuz” applied to Ashkenazim? Apparently derived from the frequent use of “vus? vus?” in Yiddish. I am not sure that there is any real insult attached to this, though. I often say to people who ask about my origins: Ani? Ani vuzvuz. For that matter, some of my Sephardic friends and colleagues often refer to themselves as frenkim. Perhaps the insult has worn off and all that is left is the wry humour? [Hebrew Religion Derogatory] [full cite] (Mar. 13, 2005)

zula n. The Jewish soldier has had to invent a colorful language to express such extreme emotional states as shvizut (state of being depressed, dispirited, and fed up with everything; literally: “broken penis") and zula (an ultimate state of being relaxed and laid back). [Hebrew Israel] [full cite] (Dec. 6, 2004)

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