Zaftig.

As a young child I remember hearing a family friend use this word in a conversation with my mother. I asked what it meant and they sent me to the dictionary to look it up. I have loved it ever since. I love both the way it feels in my mouth, and I love the implications of the meaning. It means full and shapely, as if this is a woman with some heft, but in a beautiful sense (and not in a back-handed sort of way as “Rubenesque” seems to be these days). The origin meant juicy, which I find just delicious!

That same family friend also introduced me to the fabulous word Chutzpah, which I find myself in need of (both the word and the thing!) more every day. Thank goodness for Yiddish to help us express ourselves!

Holly Riester

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