באָבע־מײַסעס
bobe-mayses
The Yiddish word for nonsense is באָבע־מײַסעס (bobe-mayses).
באָבע־מײַסעס is used to describe something that is nonsensical, unreliable or foolish. It can also refer specifically to a ridiculous, exaggerated or fictitious story, similar to the English expression 'old wives' tales'.
Meaning: meaningless words (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of bobe (grandmother) and mayses (stories/tales), literally meaning 'grandmother's tales'.
How do you pronounce it?
bobe-mayses
Did you know?
- A person who tells too many באָבע־מײַסעס might be described as a מײַסע־קעפּל, which literally translates to a 'story-head'.
- The word מײַסעס shares a root with the German word Märchen, which means 'fairy tale'.
- While באָבע־מײַסעס means 'nonsense', the singular מײַסע can be used to describe a long, winding story that is more about the art of storytelling than the actual facts.
Example conversation
Reizel and Menachem are discussing a strange rumor.
- רייזל Reizelהאָסטו געהערט וואָס זיי זאָגן?hostu gehert vos zey zogn?Did you hear what they are saying?
- מנחם Menahemיאָ, אָבער דאָס זענען נאָר באָבע־מײַסעס.yo, ober dos zenen nor bobe-mayses.Yes, but that is just nonsense.
- רייזל Reizelעס קען זײַן אמת!es ken zayn emes!It could be true!
- מנחם Menahemניין, רייזל, גלייב עס נישט.neyn, Reizel, glayb es nisht.No, Reizel, don't believe it.
