bupkis

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Contents

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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[edit]

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

Noun[edit]

bupkis (uncountable)

  1. absolutely nothing; nothing of value, significance, or substance
    We searched for hours and found bupkis.

Usage notes[edit]

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[edit]

Translations[edit]