Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
oh my gosh
Hebrew translation:
Elokim adirim
Added to glossary by
David Swidler
Jan 26, 2004 22:41
20 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
Deanna
oh my gosh
Non-PRO
English to Hebrew
Other
common phrase for a Russian Jew expressing fear or concern
Proposed translations
(Hebrew)
| 5 +2 | Elokim adirim |
David Swidler
|
| 5 | Alelay |
Eynat
|
| 5 -1 | Oivaoiy |
Mireia Ferrus
|
| 5 -1 | Oi vei |
Alex Zelkind (X)
|
Proposed translations
+2
7 hrs
Selected
Elokim adirim
"Oh my gosh" is a way of avoiding the word "God," which at one time was considered improper to use in everyday speech (it has nothing to do with Russian- they obviously picked it up from English speakers).
So, too, "elokim" is a way of avoiding saying "elohim," which is considered a name of God. "Elohim adirim" is a common Hebrew interjection meaning "dear God!" No one says "elokim adirim," but I hereby introduce it into the language.
So, too, "elokim" is a way of avoiding saying "elohim," which is considered a name of God. "Elohim adirim" is a common Hebrew interjection meaning "dear God!" No one says "elokim adirim," but I hereby introduce it into the language.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Graded automatically based on peer agreement."
38 mins
Alelay
Not quite sure what 'Russian Jew' has to do with it. Some of them speak Hebrew, some don't (and I don't speak Russian).
As far as Hebrew is concerned, you can have:
1. Alelay -
אללי
Very literary/archaic.
2. Elohim -
אלוהים
(i.e. God)
3. Vay lee -
ויי לי
rather low register
4. Avoy (or: avoy lee) -
אבוי
or
אבוי לי
again, rather literary these days.
I am sure there's more.
As far as Hebrew is concerned, you can have:
1. Alelay -
אללי
Very literary/archaic.
2. Elohim -
אלוהים
(i.e. God)
3. Vay lee -
ויי לי
rather low register
4. Avoy (or: avoy lee) -
אבוי
or
אבוי לי
again, rather literary these days.
I am sure there's more.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Sue Goldian
: BION, alelay seems to be making a comeback, at least among ninth graders in Gan Yavne.
9 hrs
|
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LOL. Thanks.
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| neutral |
AMik99
: it's not a common phrase for Russian Jew
22 hrs
|
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Which one? I offered FOUR.
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| disagree |
Alex Zelkind (X)
: If you're not sure - don't respond with 100% confidence level. Look below
3 days 10 hrs
|
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I am 100% sure about the Hebrew: I am a native Hebrew speaker. Are you? And once again, you are abusing the Disagree function.
|
-1
11 hrs
Oivaoiy
Oivaoiy
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Eynat
: No such thing.
2 hrs
|
| disagree |
Sue Goldian
: Agree with Eynat
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Alex Zelkind (X)
: Oi-vei
3 days 13 mins
|
-1
3 days 11 hrs
Oi vei
I'm a Russian Jew.
That's how we say it, altough this is not "pure" Hebrew :)
That's how we say it, altough this is not "pure" Hebrew :)
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Eynat
: Once again, you are abusing the Disagree function: can you point to anything wrong with my suggestions? Your suggestion is not pure Hebrew nor impure Hebrew; it's not Hebrew at all but Yiddish. Are you a native Hebrew speaker? I am.
3 hrs
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Whenever people don't have arguments they say what you do: "I'm a native speaker. Are you?"
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