A Closer Look 3: Lesson 4, Lesson 6 and A Closer Look 2: Lesson 8 · Street Talk 2 Vocabulary List

a clumsy or awkward person who often drops things or has accidents

"The klutz spilled his drink."

"She was a klutz who tripped over her own feet and spilled coffee on her white shirt."

brittle flat bread eaten at Passover

"We ate matzoh during Passover."

"During Passover Jewish people ate unleavened matzoh to remember the exodus from Egypt."

a light snack or bite to eat, especially one enjoyed casually

"There is tasty nosh at the reception."

"Nosh was Yiddish derived slang for a snack or light meal."

a foolish, inept, or contemptible person

"He acted like a putz."

"Calling him a putz was harsh, but his constant mistakes were genuinely frustrating for the team."

(Yiddish) an awkward and stupid person

"The schlepper dropped the box."

"He was such a schlepper that he managed to trip over his own feet while carrying a simple tray."

merchandise that is shoddy or inferior

"The store sells cheap schlock."

"The flea market was filled with cheap trinkets and schlocky souvenirs that were poorly made."

(Yiddish) excessive sentimentality in art or music

"The movie was full of schmaltz."

"The romantic movie was full of schmaltz with overly sentimental dialogue and predictable happy endings."

(New York) a spread of cream cheese, typically on a bagel

"He ordered a bagel with schmear."

"She ordered a bagel with a schmear of cream cheese and a sprinkle of everything seasoning."

a person regarded as foolish, insignificant, or contemptible

"That poor schmo lost his wallet."

"The poor schmo got blamed for the mistake even though it was not his fault."

talk idly or casually and in a friendly way

"They schmooze for hours."

"He spent the entire networking event trying to schmooze with potential clients, hoping to make a good impression."

a foolish, clumsy, or contemptibly stupid person

"Do not be a schmuck."

"The schmuck cut in line and pretended not to hear when people told him to go to the back."

(Yiddish) a gullible simpleton more to be pitied than despised

"The schnook was cheated easily."

"The clever salesman easily tricked the poor schnook into buying an unnecessary extended warranty."

(Yiddish) a comedian's distinctive style, routine, or comedic gimmick that sets them apart from others

"His shtick is his hat."

"The comedian's signature shtick, involving a squeaky rubber chicken, always gets a huge reaction from the crowd."

(Yiddish) an inexpensive showy trinket

"The shelf is full of tchotchkes."

"Her desk was covered with small tchotchkes like snow globes and miniature figurines from her travels."

proper or legitimate

"That is kosher."

"We need to ensure all our business practices are strictly kosher and adhere to regulations."

to get ready for trouble, difficulty, or danger

"We must batten down hatches."

"Before the hurricane arrived, the residents were advised to batten down the hatches and secure their homes."

to cause significant damage or destruction to something by subjecting it to intense heat or fire

"The fire burned it crisp."

"I forgot the pizza in the oven and burned it to a crisp so we had to order takeout."

something that is remarkable, extreme, or difficult, often in a surprising way

"The storm was a real doozie."

"The storm that hit last night was a real doozie with wind gusts over seventy miles per hour."

snow that has become compacted and firm, typically due to repeated freezing and thawing or heavy traffic

"The snow was hard pack."

"Skiers preferred the hard pack conditions on the slopes for a faster and more controlled descent."

available for immediate use

"More beer is on tap."

"The restaurant always has a variety of local craft beers on tap, ready to be served to thirsty customers."

used to introduce a contrasting aspect of a situation

"On the flip side it could rain."

"On the flip side it could rain tomorrow so bring an umbrella just in case."

light, dry, and fluffy snow, often ideal for skiing or snowboarding

"Fresh powder for skiing."

"The powder was so deep that snowboarders disappeared up to their waists in fresh snow."

rain heavily

"It rained buckets hard."

"It is raining buckets outside so you will definitely need an umbrella if you go out."

an extremely hot day

"Today was a scorcher."

"The forecast predicted a scorcher with temperatures reaching one hundred degrees in the shade."

to enjoy the sun, typically by lying or sitting outside, to absorb its warmth or light

"Let us soak up the rays."

"The tourists spent the whole afternoon on the beach soaking up the rays and working on their tans."

to cause significant damage or destruction to something by subjecting it to intense heat or fire

"Burn it to acrisp."

"The intense scrutiny threatened to burn the politician's reputation to a crisp."

to suggest something as fitting or essential in a given situation

"This situation does call for action."

"The current economic climate does call for a more cautious approach to investment."

a period of hot weather, usually hotter and longer than before

"The heat wave lasted two weeks."

"A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather"

(of wind or storms) to intensify or increase in strength

"The wind will kick up soon."

"As the storm intensified, the wind began to kick up a significant amount of dust and debris."

the level of mercury in a thermometer used to indicate temperature

"The mercury is high today."

"The rising mercury in the thermometer indicated that the patient's fever was worsening considerably."

to approach or advance someone or something from different directions, often with a threat or intention to take action

"The enemy will move in."

"The approaching army began to move in on the besieged city from all sides."

extremely unpleasant or disagreeable

"The smell was nasty."

"The nasty sewage spill created an unbearable stench that permeated the entire neighborhood."

(geology) a long, narrow depression or hollow, often occurring naturally, such as in the landscape or ocean floor

"The pigs eat from a long trough."

"The glacier carved a deep trough into the mountainside over thousands of years."

a localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground

"We saw a twister."

"The tornado hunters raced to document the powerful twister as it tore across the open plains."

exceptionally impressive, daring, and cool in an unconventional or rebellious way

"He thinks he is a badass."

"He thinks he is a badass but everyone else just finds him ridiculous and annoying."

extremely evil or shockingly wicked in a way that deeply disturbs or offends

"The crime is heinous."

"The heinous crime shocked the entire community and people demanded that the murderer receive the harshest possible punishment under the law."

used to describe something impressive or highly enjoyable

"The party was killer."

"The band played a killer set that had the entire audience on their feet and dancing all night."

excellent

"He is mean."

"That was a mean performance; you really delivered the song with incredible passion and skill."

used to describe something as fantastic, impressive, or exceptionally good, often in sports, music, or extreme activities

"That was nasty!"

"The skateboarder's incredible aerial maneuver was truly nasty, earning him a standing ovation."

impressive or large in size, amount, or quality

"That's serious money."

"The company reported a serious increase in profits during the last fiscal quarter."

used to describe something as absurd, ridiculous, or extreme in a surprising way

"That's stupid!"

"The magician's disappearing act was so astonishingly elaborate, it was stupidly impressive."

extremely impressive, excellent, or thrilling

"That was a wicked jump!"

"The magician performed a wicked trick that left the entire audience in awe and disbelief."