אַ גוט קוויטל

Yiddish

Etymology

Literally, "a good slip of paper". This reflects the hope that a slip of paper can be inserted into the Book of Life even after one's fate has been supposedly sealed at Yom Kippur.

Pronunciation

• (YIVO) IPA^(key): /a ɡʊt ˈkvɪtɫ̩/

Interjection

אַ גוט קוויטל • (a gut kvitl)

1. A greeting used on and during the weeks after Yom Kippur.
   • 1964, Shimʻon Friedlander, Sefer Yizkor, Linsk, Istrik, Beligrod, Litovisk, page 157:

     .נאכן דאווענען האט מען זיך אנגעווונטשן „א גוט קוויטל", אויך ביי דער סעודה אין סוכה האט מען מאריך געווען

     Nokhn davenen hot men zikh ongevuntshn "a gut kvitl", oykh bay der sude in suke hot men mayrekh geven.

     After praying, they wished each other "a good slip", and at the feast in the sukkah they also spoke at length.