Nebbish

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun 1.3 Quotations

English

Etymology

Yiddish nebekh

Noun

nebbish

1. One who is fearful and timid, especially in making decisions and plans, in discussions, debates, arguments, and confrontations, and in taking responsibility.

   Actor Rick Moranis often plays a nebbish.

2. (slang, mildly pejorative, especially in NY region): A loser.

Quotations

• 2001, Foster Hirsh, Love, Sex, Death, and the Meaning of Life: The Films of Woody Allen [1]

  “I don't consider myself a nebbish,” Woody told interviewers early in his career, “but everyone else does.”