I have no idea how much is spent on mothers the second Sunday of May each year, but I do know of a unique Mother’s Day gift that would not leave mom speechless. Consider sharing with mom various usages of the Yiddish word for “mother.” To begin with, whether one’s mother is referred to as Mameh or Mooter depends on one’s European roots. Those who trace their roots to Eastern Europe are more likely to use the term Mameh, while those who claim central European ancestry typically employ the term Mooter. Oddly enough, it is the term Mooter and not Mameh that has spawned a variety of terms.
MOOTER SHPRAHCH (mother tongue). Even though the majority of American Jews are familiar with the term “mameh loshn,” the term “mooter shprahch” is equally acceptable. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that “mameh loshn” is an amalgam of Slavic and Hebrew, while “mooter shprahch” is derived directly from the German. Admittedly, few would say “Let’s talk ‘mooter shprach’ when wanting to cut through the fluff and get down to basics. On the other hand, knowing that “You can speak mameh loshn with him” is both comforting as well as reassuring.
MOOTER NAHKET (stark naked). Mooter nahket refers to one’s wardrobe upon entering this world from the loins of one’s mother. A Yiddish synonym for mooter nahket is oddem nahket (Adam naked). Whereas the former speaks of the state of dress of every human emerging into this world, the latter takes us back to the Garden of Eden where neither shame nor conscience had yet entered this world. Obviously, Adam could not have been mooter nahket in that he wasn’t born of a woman. What mooter nahket and oddem nahket have in common is that they both refer to one’s birthday suit.
MOOTER TZAYCHEN (mother mark/birthmark). Closely related to mooter nahket, a mooter tzaychen is a mark on one’s body upon emerging into this world. Among the more thoughtless questions posed in our culture is “What’s that mark on your neck?” or “What’s that mark on your face?” Rather than replying “It’s a birthmark” or “I was born this way,” one might consider answering “It’s a mooter tzaychen” and await a response. And should there be a follow-up question, “What’s a mooter tzaychen?” one could reply, “That’s what I have on my neck, or face” etc.
MOOTER FAHRAYN (mother’s organization). Just as synagogues have sisterhoods, the Yiddish Day School I attended had a mooter fahrayn. The mooter fahrayn served two purposes. On the one hand it served as a social outlet for the mothers of day school students, in that once upon a time, when the majority of American mothers were homemakers. On the other hand, the mooter fahrayn helped raise much needed funds for the school through rummage sales, fashion shows and bazaars. As quaint as all this sounds, the mooter fahrayn did a world of good. And if some Yiddish was spoken at a meeting of the mooter fahrayn, so much the better.
MOOTER SHEEFF (aircraft carrier, mother ship). One thing is certain. And that is that our Eastern European ancestors did not know from any aircraft carriers. They did, however, know from a ship. But that’s because they were able to leave the shtetl and embark on a life changing journey to America. What about a mooter sheeff? In all likelihood, the ship they were on was designated a mooter sheeff when, upon sighting the shore, the passengers noticed a tugboat coming toward them. In answer to why that sheeffeleh (little ship) was coming toward them, they were told that the sheeffeleh vet bahld bahglayten dee mooter sheeff (the little ship will soon escort the mother ship).
Come Mother’s Day, there is no shortage of quotes and sayings to express what the child should ideally be feeling towards his or her mother. Why not be the only kid on the block capable of sharing with your mother how mooter shprahch, mooter nahket, mooter tzaychen, mooter fahrayn, and mooter sheeff enriched the Yiddish language. By all accounts, it makes for one priceless Mother’s Day gift.
Rabbi Shawn Zell has recently returned to New Jersey, after serving at a pulpit in Dallas. He possesses certification in teaching Yiddish. Rabbi Zell is the author of three books.
