latke

From Yiddish לאַטקע (latke), from either Russian ла́тка (látka, “pastry, patch”) or Ukrainian оладка (oladka, “pancake, fritter”). In Polish łatka (“patch”) or placek, placki (“fritter, fritters”).

Her favorite Chanukah memories were of eating latkes and sour cream while her mother gossiped with the aunts and cousins.

We do not spend our days huddled in smoke-filled rooms plotting world domination while Jared Kushner plays dreidel in the back with Noam Chomsky and George Soros sneaks the last latke.

2022 January 19, Yair Rosenberg, “Why So Many People Still Don’t Understand Anti-Semitism”, in The Atlantic:

A pancake fried in oil, usually made from potatoes and sometimes also onions, traditionally served on Hanukkah.


gelt

en-noun

gelt (usually uncountable, plural gelts)

In the basic sense of "money", attested since the early 16th century, initially from (an Early New High German continuation of) Middle High German gelt (modern German Geld), from Old High German gelt (“payment, money”), or in some cases from (an Early Modern Dutch continuation of) Middle Dutch gelt. Later, and in the Jewish-related senses, from Yiddish געלט (gelt). The German, Dutch and Yiddish words are all from Proto-Germanic *geldą (“reward, gift, money”). Doublet of native words geld and yield.

der

That nothynge had / There of theyr awne / Neyther gelt nor pawne.

c. 1529, John Skelton, The Tunning of Elynour Rummyng, section 610:

It amounts to not above 12000 Fr. Rhenish, yearly, in bare gelt.

1591 (1685), Henry Wotton, in Reliquiae Wottonianae, 616

The is no Gelt to be got.

c. 1698, B. E., A New Dictionary of the Terms Ancient and Modern of the Canting Crew:

I saw him at the house of my parents; I in my earliest youth, he approaching to fourscore. He was on his way to collect the Dominie's gelt; for the Dutch always took care the stipend to the minister should be competent, that so he never might be straitened 'to desire a gift.'

1816, Egbert Benson, in a memoir read before the New York Historical Society [in 1816], quoted in History of the School of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church (1883), page 22

"And yet," said Captain Dalgetty, "my second and greatest difficulty remains behind; for, although I hold it a mean and sordid thing for a soldado to have nothing in his mouth but pay and gelt, like the base cullions, the German lanz-knechts, whom I mentioned before; […] yet, ex contrario, a soldier's pay being the counterpart of his engagement of service, it becomes a wise and considerate cavalier to consider what remuneration he is to receive for his service, […]

1852, Walter Scott, A Legend of Montrose And, The Black Dwarf:

Have bought some farm land in Rio Grande Valley which should bring in a sizeable bundle of gelts come cotton picking time.

1948, William Burroughs, letter, 5 Jun 1948

The miser, a-seeking lost gelt, / The doughboy, awaiting the battle, / May possibly know how I felt / While the long years dragged by as the dealer / As slow as the slowest of dubs, / Stuck out the last helping of tickets / 'Till I lifted—the Bullet of Clubs!

1969, Robert L. Vann, The Competitor, volumes 2-3, page 135:

(originally UK, especially thieves' cant and Polari, later Judaism and general slang) Money.

especially thieves' cant and Polari; later Judaism and general slang; especially thieves' cant and Polari; later Judaism and general slang

(Judaism) Money, especially that given as a gift on Hanukkah or used in games of dreidel.

(Judaism) Chocolate candy in the shape of coins, usually wrapped in metallic foil, usually eaten on Hanukkah and often used for games of dreidel.


Hanukkah

Originated 1890–95. From Hebrew חנוכה / חֲנֻכָּה (khanuká, “dedication, consecration”) from חָנַךְ (khanákh, “to dedicate, to consecrate”).

bor

חנוכה / חֲנֻכָּה

(Judaism) An eight-day Jewish festival, starting on the 25th day of Kislev, which commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek Syrians.

followed by Chanukah and Hanukah. Other forms


menorah

en-noun

menorah (plural menoroth or menorot or menorahs)

menoroth (plural)
menorot (plural)
menorahs (plural)

From Hebrew מְנוֹרָה (m'norá). From the same Proto-Semitic root *nūr- (“fire”) as minaret.

My father brings home a big brass antique menorah, shaped like an archway, heavy, on a pedestal, on a round base.

1992, Merrill Joan Gerber, The Kingdom of Brooklyn, Syracuse University Press, published 2000, →ISBN, pages 76–77:

In America every December my mother had decorated our home with metal Stars of David she hung on strings in the doorways and lit the menorah as we gathered at the table.

1996, Ann Kimmage, An Un-American Childhood, University of Georgia Press, published 1996, →ISBN, pages 49–50:

However, traditional Sefardi families follow the halacha that each household uses only one menorah lit by the head of the household, to represent everyone in unison.

2000, Noam Zion, Barbara Spectre, A Different Light: The Hanukkah Book of Celebration, Devora Publishing, →ISBN, page 237:

A far-right Polish MP has extinguished candles on a menorah lit for Hanukah in Poland’s parliament, disrupting proceedings before a planned vote of confidence in the new government.

2023 December 12, Shaun Walker, “Far-right Polish MP uses fire extinguisher to put out Hanukah candles”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

A candelabrum with nine branches, used in Jewish worship on Hanukkah.


dreidel

Borrowed from Yiddish דריידל (dreydl, “dreidel; spinning top”), probably a blend of דרייען (dreyen, “to spin; to turn; to twist”) + טרענדל (trendl, “(dated) dreidel; spinning top”). דרייען (dreyen) is derived from Middle High German dræn, from Old High German drāen (“to turn; to twist”), from Proto-West Germanic *þrāan, from Proto-Germanic *þrēaną (“to turn; to twist”), from Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (“to turn; to rub; to drill, pierce”); and טרענדל (trendl) is derived from Middle High German trendel (“spinning top”), from Proto-Germanic *trandijaną (“to revolve, spin”).

der

I have a little dreidel. I made it out of clay. / And when it's dry and ready, then dreidel I shall play. / Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay. / Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, then dreidel I shall play.

1927, “I Have a Little Dreidel”, Samuel S. Grossman (lyrics), Samuel Eliezer Goldfarb or Mikhl Gelbart (music):

The dreidel is a spinning toy, painstakingly fashioned out of plastic polymer by Jewish craftsmen in Vietnam. Used for tabletop gambling games during Hanukkah, the dreidel often ends up on the floor and sometimes in the dog's small intestine.

2005 December 23, Jonathan Safran Foer, “A Beginner's Guide to Hanukkah”, in The New York Times:

Students from the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah School danced in dreidel costumes at a menorah lighting in Detroit on Thursday.

2023 December 7, Jacey Fortin, “For Some, the Symbols of Hanukkah Bring Extra Concern This Year”, in The New York Times, image caption:

A four-sided spinning top, inscribed with the four Hebrew letters נ (nun), ג (gimel), ה (hey), and ש (shin) (or פ (pey)) on each side, often used to play a traditional game during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.


happy holidays

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-happy holidays.wav

In the United States people say Happy Holidays to include all people on the earth: the Jewish people Celebrating Hanukah, Africans celebrating Kwanza, Middle Eastern people celebrating Eid, Christians celebrating Christmas, […]

2009, Ruben Santos Claveria, Holiday Songs and Kisses: Christmas Songs And other Poems:

Madeleine Mayfair, What Should I Write? 101 Holiday Wishes for Greeting Cards
Season's greetings and happy holidays!

(Canada, US, Philippines) A greeting used during the Christmas and winter holiday season to recognize the celebration of many holidays, sometimes starting with Thanksgiving and including Hanukkah, the winter solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Day.


Festival of Lights

From the importance of candles or light during the celebrations.

[…] celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights[.]

1996, Jewish Life and Thought among Greeks and Romans: Primary Readings:

One of our more Judaically advanced cellmates gave us insightful lessons about the laws and customs of the Festival of Lights.

2012, Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul, →ISBN:


hanukkiah

en-noun

hanukkiah (plural hanukkiahs or hanukkiot or hanukkioth)

hanukkiahs (plural)
hanukkiot (plural)
hanukkioth (plural)

Borrowed from Hebrew חֲנֻכִּיָּה (khanukiyá).

Some might say that the hanukkiah is decorations, but it isn't; the hanukkiah is a ceremonial object, with specific, non-decorative purposes. Perhaps the Stars of David that many string about are appropriate Jewish decoration?

As a child of Holocaust survivors, there was nothing, no family relics. The celebration was very modest, with a very small hanukkiah, and my mother was a great maker of latkes. I now luckily have many different kinds of hanukkiahs.

2010 November 17, Rima Suqi, quoting Daniel Libeskind, “Daniel Libeskind on a New Show of Menorahs”, in The New York Times:

The candelabras lit on Hanukkah are technically called hanukkiahs. They have eight candles plus one more, a shamash, that is used for lighting the others.

[2023 December 7, Jacey Fortin, “For Some, the Symbols of Hanukkah Bring Extra Concern This Year”, in The New York Times:

(Judaism) A nine-branched menorah used during Hanukkah.


holiday season

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-holiday season.wav

What are your plans for the holiday season?

(US, Canada) The period of the late fall and early winter when several holidays occur, such as Halloween, American Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa


Chrismahanukwanzakah

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Chrismahanukwanzakah.wav

Etymology tree
English Christmasblend.
English Hanukkahblend.
English Kwanzaablend.
English Chrismahanukwanzakah
Blend of Christmas + Hanukkah + Kwanzaa.

etymon

Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah! Merry HanuKwanzMas! (Whew... that covers everyone, right?)

2005 December, “Diversity Calendar 2006”, in Cincinati Magazine, volume 39, number 3, Emmis Communications, →ISSN, page 66:

How could Fox ever win its holiday war now? Surely all would be lost, and the nation would be forced to endure another Chrismahanukwanzakah.

2007, Joseph Minton Amann, Tom Breuer, Fair and Balanced, My Ass!: An Unbridled Look at the Bizarre Reality of Fox News, →ISBN, page 247:

Have a Blessed Chrismahanukwanzakah and a Spectacular New Year!

2009 December 16, "John H", “Approval ratings not the best...”, in rec.boats (Usenet):

(humorous) A fictional holiday in December combining aspects of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa into one festival.


Chrismukkah

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Chirsmukkah.wav

Etymology tree
English Christmasblend.
English Hanukkahblend.
English Chrismukkah
Blend of Christmas + Hanukkah.
A similar formation can be found in German Weihnukka (from Weihnachten (“Christmas”)), and compare also Dutch Chanoeklaas, a merger of Hanukkah and the Dutch winter holiday of Sinterklaas which similarly involvies gift-giving.

Kimberly Duran of DallasNews.com, for example, referenced restaurants that served Chrismukkah foods in 2005 when Hanukkah and Christmas coincided.

2012, Joshua Eli Plaut, A Kosher Christmas: 'Tis the Season to be Jewish, page 147:

Celebrating both holidays is nothing new. But the TV show “The O.C.” helped popularize a term for it when the character Seth Cohen (played by Adam Brody) celebrated “Chrismukkah” in an episode in 2003.

2024 December 21, Remy Tumin, Claire Moses, “This Chrismukkah, Latkes and Eggnog Go Together”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

The merged holiday of Christmas and Hanukkah.


Feast of Light

From the importance of candles or light in the celebration.

1940, Emily Solis-Cohen, Jr., Hanukkah: The Feast of Light, Jewish Publication Society:

We celebrate Hanukkah, the Feast of Light, in commemoration of the Maccabees' putting an end to the sinister oppression [...]

1942, Jewish Spectator, volume 7, page 46:

Chanukah recounts the rededication of the Sanctuary which had been despoiled by the Greeks. The celebration of the eight-day Feast of Light recalls the victorious survival of the Sanctuary, not the courage of the Maccabees.

1997, The collected writings, volume 7, →ISBN, page 200:

(Judaism) Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.


happy Hanukkah

Used to express good wishes on or before Hanukkah.


Hanukkah bush

A Jewish substitute for a Christmas tree formerly commonly used in North America during the holiday season.


Thanksgivukkah

Blend of Thanksgiving + Hanukkah. Coined for 2013, when the first day of Hanukkah fell on Thanksgiving.

We’re still 24 hours away from Thanksgiving 2012, but it’s never too early to start thinking of next year, right? Apparently not, at least, not for the folks behind Thanksgivukkah. You see, next year Thanksgiving falls on the first night of Hanukkah, and well, “Thanksgiving” + “Hanukkah” = “Thanksgivukkah”. Get it?

2012 November 21, Rafiss, “Well, This Exists: Thanksgivukkah”, in Heeb:

Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights — fall on the same day this year, creating what many celebrants have dubbed “Thanksgivukkah.” And it’s opened up a whole new world of culinary opportunities.

2013 October 21, Jim Romanoff, “Thanksgiving and Hanukkah — together at the table”, in Houston Chronicle:

The pairing of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah as Thanksgivukkah works so well, it raises the question among us daters -- why not pair up even more things in your life that can benefit you romantically?

2015, Mark Miller, 500 Dates: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Online Dating Wars, →ISBN:

My mother requested that I make sufganiyot" -- Hanukkah jelly doughnuts -- "and did hear that some people are filling them with cranberry jam, which I think is a great idea for Thansgivukkah," Bialik chuckled.

2016, Vance Lehmkuhl, V for Veg: The Best of Philly’s Vegan Food Column, →ISBN:

This recipe is based on one of my contributions to Thanksgivukkah that has lived on past all of that jazz.

2016, Molly Yeh, Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from an Unlikely Life on a Farm, →ISBN:

(Judaism, US) A combined celebration of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.