bupkis

English

Alternative forms

• bobkes, bopkes, bubkes, bupkes, bupkiss, bupkus

Etymology

From Yiddish באָבקעס (bobkes, “(large) beans”), from קאָזעבאָפּקעס (kozebopkes, “goat droppings”), from Proto-Slavic *koza (“goat”), and diminutive of Proto-Slavic *bobъ (bob, “bean”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ˈbʌp.kɪs/, (US, Yiddishesque) IPA: /ˈbɔp.kis/

Noun

bupkis (uncountable)

1. absolutely nothing; nothing of value, significance, or substance

   We searched for hours and found bupkis.

Usage notes

Often translated as meaning small round fecal pellets, referring to the shape of goat droppings. A colorful usage, though more emphatic expression (in Yiddish more so than in English) is "Bupkis mit Kuduchas" (באָבקעס מיט קודוצ׳ה), translating roughly to "shivering shit balls" - kuduchas referring to the condition of generalized shaking palsy.

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:nothing

Translations

absolutely nothing

• Danish: bar røv at trutte i (da) c
• Finnish: ei paskaakaan (fi)

• Yiddish: באָבקעס (yi) (bobkes)