Talk:schlemiel

"Schlemiel, Schlemazzle, (sp?) Hossepheffer (sp?) [in]Corporated"... the Laverne (sp?) & Shirley (sp?) quote ought to be here no? Or is that a copyright thing? --Connel MacKenzie 04:20, 31 Jan 2005 (UTC)

ROFL that's a little before my time. But certainly worth a peek in the old, old-word playbook. I'll look forward to your next post on the subject, Mr Mac. --AJ --HiFlyer 15:24, 31 Jan 2005 (UTC)

It would seem that Schlemazzle is a silly noun meaning the byproduct or produce of a "schlemiel" (the social and emotional detritus that pollutes his wake). Like "razzle-dazzle" flows from the fingertips of Sammy Davis Jr, "schlemazzle" of this description would flow from schlemiels like Lenny and Squiggy. That was my first guess.

Actually, the word is "schlimazel: : a chronically unlucky person (שלימזל shlimazl, from Middle High German slim 'crooked' and Hebrew מזל mazzāl 'luck') .

"Hasenpfeffer" is easier, it is a German culinary dish of wild hare marinated in red wine and vinegar, then roasted or stewed after being stuffed with onions and cabbage (usually the darker purple or other heirloom cabbage) and fresh black pepper berries (and sometimes local herbs).

Not sure about the Yiddish language and cultural integration of this word, or the dish. But I know it is delicious- if you are ever in Portland Oregon go to Gustav's and eat it. Farm raised rabbit does not do the dish justice, so if you want the best hassenpfeffer you'll have to shoot the hare yourself, or go to Europe and order it.

-Max