kvetch

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Adjective 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 Verb 1.5.1 Translations 1.5.2 Derived terms 1.5.3 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Yiddish קוועטשן (kvetshn), from German Quetsche ‘crusher, presser’, from quetschen ‘crush, press’.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• (RP) IPA: /kvɛʧ/
• Rhymes: -ɛtʃ

[edit] Noun

kvetch (plural kvetches)

1. Person who endlessly whines or complains.
2. Person who finds fault with anything.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adjective

kvetch (no comparative or superlative)

1. Describing a kvetch or kvetcher.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to kvetch (third-person singular simple present kvetches, present participle kvetching, simple past and past participle kvetched)

1. To whine or complain, often needlessly.
   • 1969, Is this truth I’m delivering up, or is it just plain kvetching? Or is kvetching for people like me a form of truth? — Philip Roth, Portnoy’s Complaint
   • 2001, Make a commitment, Charlie. Go with life or go with death, but quit the kvetching. Don’t keep us all in suspense. — Glen David Gold, Carter Beats the Devil

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• kvetcher n

[edit] See also

• carping
• cavil
• nitpick
• split hairs